Besides Spitznagle, shrouded to the rib-line with his flowing apron, were three very short men and an extremely long one. The latter proved to be no other than the giant Zorn. Roque was nowhere to be seen.
The heavy host noisily hailed the late comers:
"Good morning, sleepyheads, and all this fine food waiting for you, too."
Zorn gave his best wide-mouthed grin, and then went on talking, in lower tones, however, to his short companions.
Billy and Henri made a substantial breakfast, and in doing so, hardly felt the need of the constant urging of the boss cook.
They could not imagine what had become of Roque, and as nobody volunteered to tell them, they concluded not to ask any questions.
The boys observed that one of the short men, with a large head wholly out of proportion with his stocky body, commanded much deference from the rest of the party.
Henri learned from the drift of the conversation that this determined looking individual was Capt. Groat of Friedrichshaven, the great center of Zeppelin factories, and while the captain was not in uniform he had the manner of rank.
Billy was quietly advised by his chum what the talk was about, and wagered that the two strangers were airmen.