"I can't tell any more than you, Folsom," replied the professor.
"But what is your opinion?"
"Not a very encouraging one. We have by chance become possessed of an important secret. If the secret is worth more than our lives, we shall either be killed or kept prisoners."
"Forever?"
"Yes, forever," answered the professor gravely. "If the secret is not very serious, we may be landed on some island. I advise that we remain perfectly quiet and take things as they come."
"May I say a word?" exclaimed Stump.
"Well?" asked Mont.
"I'll get out of this."
"How? It is difficult to break out of a prison on earth, but to get out of one under the sea is impossible."
"Suppose we kill our jailers and take the key? If four Americans aren't a match for a lot of niggers, and one Unknown who can't speak any language, and doesn't belong to any country at all, it's time we shut up shop!" went on Stump.