“Was it a land station or a ship at sea?” asked the professor.
“Evidently the latter,” was the reply. “By our radio range-finder, we determined the position at approximately latitude 27, longitude 65.”
“But that, Captain, is in the very area we are headed for.”
“And that, Professor, makes it all the more singular.”
“But—well, well! This is indeed peculiar! And I had been on the point of turning back with our impetuous young stowaway. What would you suggest, sir?”
Captain Petersen meditated, while Larry held his breath.
“To turn back,” he said at length, in his clear, precise English, “would in my opinion be to give the laugh to someone whose sense of humor is already too well developed.”
“Exactly!” agreed Professor Stevens, as Larry relaxed in relief. “Whoever this practical joker is, we will show him he is wasting his talents—even though it means carrying a supernumerary for the rest of the voyage.”
“Well spoken!” said the captain. “But as far as that is concerned, I think I can keep Mr. Hunter occupied.”
“Then take him, and welcome!”