“Your friend is right, Harry,” smiled Mackinder, thus appealed to. “Amsterdam is on the Zuider Zee. If we get a vessel at that place we will pass northward through that water, thence between some of the Friesian Islands into the North Sea. From that point it is but a short distance to my destination. Any port in England will be suitable for my purpose.”
“Nix on England for mine!” declared Jimmie. “I’m for the little old United States every time. We are neutral there without having to think about it. I’m about done with war. I’ve seen enough!”
“Too much is plenty, as the Dutchman says,” put in Harry. “But about this Amsterdam place, now. Do you know the town, Mr. Mackinder?”
“Indeed I do!” was the reply. “I have been there many times.”
“Then perhaps you’d be good enough to give us a little help. You see, we’re strangers there and since we’ve lost our airship we’re almost helpless. We’re not accustomed to finding our way about where the inhabitants don’t speak English. Besides, we’re not provided with a map.”
“I shall be delighted to help you in any way possible,” continued the man. “I think that if you follow me you’ll have little trouble.”
The lads gladly availed themselves of this offer, and shortly after their arrival at the city they found themselves in a room plainly but comfortably furnished. From their windows they could see the shipping in the harbor. Before them a busy street teemed with traffic.
Watching the strange sights below, the boys were startled to hear:
“I’ll trouble you now for the ‘U-13’ package!”