That was the last our friends saw of them that night, and every one began to bombard Jack with questions.
"What's the matter?"
"Can't you go ahead?"
"Do you want them to escape?"
"What are you stopping for?"
These and similar questions assailed the inventor.
He almost lost patience with them, as he cried:
The machinery for some reason has broken down.
"Vat vos pusted–dot trifin' rod!" asked Fritz.
"I don't know yet, but I'll find out."