“Sorry to lose you, Swen,” Stan called after the boy. He turned to the new helper. “They sure sent you back on the run. Did you get a good skinning?”
The German scowled at Stan. “I am to take orders,” he muttered.
Stan laughed. The softhearted Swen had been planted on him. They were supposed to get chummy while the tall mechanic listened and picked up anything of value which might be said.
“What am I supposed to call you?” Stan asked.
“Hans,” the mechanic said shortly.
“Well, Hans, we’ll have a try at assembling this thing,” Stan said.
Stan worked on the supercharger all that afternoon and convinced himself that he could fit it together and make it work. Toward evening Herr Domber came back. He halted beside the bench and looked at the machinery there.
“You have had some success?”
“I don’t know,” Stan said innocently. “I’ll have to try it out on the ship.”
“Certainly,” Domber agreed. “Of course. When will you wish to try it out?”