"I'm with you," said Joe, as Macaroni came back to say that all was well in their cabin where they had left most of their personal possessions. The cameras and the reels of unexposed film were in the hold with their heavy baggage, but they had kept with them a small camera and some film for use in emergencies.
"For we might sight a submarine," Joe had said. "And if I get a chance, I'm going to film a torpedo."
By this time the vessel was down in the Narrows, with the frowning forts on either side, and as they passed these harbor defenses Lieutenant Secor crossed the deck and nodded to the boys.
"I did not know we were to be traveling companions," he said, with a smile.
"Nor did we," added Blake. "You are going back to France, then?"
The lieutenant shrugged his shoulders in characteristic fashion.
"Who knows?" he asked. "I am in the service of my beloved country. I go where I am sent. I am under orders, Messieurs, and until I report in Paris I know not what duty I am to perform. But I am charmed to see you again, and rest assured I shall not repeat my lamentable blunder."
"No, I'll take good care you don't run into me," muttered Macaroni.
"And you, my friends of the movies—you camera men, as you call yourselves—you are going to France also?"
"We don't know where we are going, any more than you do," said Blake.