“Helgoland!” he said, cautiously.
Instantly the others jumped to their feet, slapping Frank’s shoulders, shaking his hands and otherwise showing their appreciation of his shrewdness. Their enthusiasm could scarcely be restrained.
“Sherlock Shaw, The Scout Sleuth!” shouted Jimmie.
“Frank, you’re the real, old-fashioned guesser!” declared Jack.
“How did you do it, Frank?” asked Harry, admiringly.
“Well, the commander said we were destined for a lonely island in the North Sea that was heavily guarded. I guess Helgoland fits that description right enough. Besides, as I remember the geography of these parts, that’s about the first land we’d strike going on this course.”
“But I understand that is a sort of naval base,” put in Harry. “Isn’t that the island where the Germans are fitting out so many of their Zeppelins? Seems to me I read something about that in a paper.”
“That’s the very place!” put in Ned. “The paper said it was a lonely, rocky island, difficult of approach and quite well fortified.”
“And book agents, canvassers, peddlers and rag men are not allowed there at all!” asserted Jimmie, gravely.
“Take his pie away!” shouted Jack. “He’s raving again!”