“Of course!” said the compact young man. “You don't understand.”
A gentle quivering crept upon Bert's senses. “That's the engine,” said the compact young man approvingly. “Now we shan't be long.”
Another long listening interval.
The cabin swayed. “By Jove! we're starting already;” he cried. “We're starting!”
“Starting!” cried Bert, sitting up. “Where?”
But the young man was out of the room again. There were noises of German in the passage, and other nerve-shaking sounds.
The swaying increased. The young man reappeared. “We're off, right enough!”
“I say!” said Bert, “where are we starting? I wish you'd explain. What's this place? I don't understand.”
“What!” cried the young man, “you don't understand?”
“No. I'm all dazed-like from that crack on the nob I got. Where ARE we? WHERE are we starting?”