"I wonder if they are making fools of me," he thought. "They are both sharp as steel traps, as they say in this country. It is possible. Well, I shall govern myself accordingly and watch them closely."
"Well," said Ned, when the first apparently warm greetings were over, "what is it you want us to do?"
"Just this," said Herr Muller, "you are a good mechanic and a fair draughtsman. I want you to draw me a sectional design of the Manhattan. When that is done I've got other work for you to do."
"A design of the Manhattan?" repeated Ned slowly as if he had not quite understood. He was in reality trying to gain time to think.
"Yes. You are familiar with her, and I believe she is the finest ship of your navy."
"I can say 'yes,' to both questions," rejoined Ned. "What would you want this drawing to show?"
"For one thing, I should like to know where her armor is thinnest," was the rejoinder.
Herr Muller's eyes narrowed as he spoke, and he gazed sharply at the lad before him.
"You understand?" he asked, as Ned did not reply.