“Gone!” echoed Joe, the first to find his voice.
“Gug-gug-gone!” sputtered Ding-dong.
“Do you mean they have been stolen?” demanded Dr. Chalmers.
“That’s just what I do mean, sir.” And Nat proceeded to impart all that had occurred, not forgetting, of course, the disappearance of Dr. Sartorius.
“Well, this is a nice kettle of fish,” blurted out Joe angrily. “Oh, but weren’t we the chumps to take that fellow on board! I wish we’d left him to continue his way to Mexico, and let it go at that!”
“Too late now to cry over spilt milk,” declared Nat. He was going to say more when Mr. Jenkins, who had been listening to their talk, interrupted.
“Did I hear you mention the name of Sartorius?” he inquired in a feeble voice, although one that vibrated with a keen interest.
“Yes,” said Nat, and rapidly told how they came to include the name of the black-bearded man in their conversation.
“And he was here and is gone?” demanded Mr. Jenkins so excitedly that Dr. Chalmers had to beg him to calm himself.
The others stared at Mr. Jenkins. His hands clenched and unclenched.