Billy gave Henri a kick on the foot. Roque was approaching with a sheaf of telegraph messages in his hand.
"What are you boys jabbering about? I want you to go down to the wharf with Albert and get the seaplane in trim. I'll join you in half an hour."
Albert, a strapping youth, with the breezy way of a sailor, guided the boys across the grounds to the hangar, and watched with interest the making ready of the airship.
"That's not my kind of a boat," he briskly stated, "but I'll be bound if this kind of craft didn't give us submarine workers a Christmas surprise. Ever travel in a submarine?"
"We had a ride in one that we will never forget," replied Henri, as he applied the oil can to the big motors.
Billy, busy with the steering gear, was not expected to answer, as he did not understand the question.
"It is all a question of ups and downs, anyhow," went on Albert, "bombs from above and torpedoes from below."
This trade discussion ended with the arrival of Roque, who had severed himself from style and was again in aviation attire.
"Now, my carrier pigeons, you are in for a homing flight, that is, Hamburg; and it may be some time before you again get a breath of this port."