“Now,” said Mr. Sheldon, a little later, when they had gone more into detail as to what they would do, “now, the question is, how shall we approach the crew—and when?”
“I think we had better take the first chance that offers itself,” spoke Jerry. “We haven’t any time to spare. Dr. Klauss is as crazy as ever—that’s sure, and there’s no telling what he may do.”
“He said something about landing us on a desert island,” remarked Bob.
“Well, if he’d do that it might not be so bad,” came from Ned. “We might escape from there. But the trouble is there’s no certainty that he’d do that. I think the best plan is to get possession of the submarine.”
“Providing the crew will help us,” added Mr. Sheldon. “If they will not we shall have to adopt another plan.”
There was a sudden motion to the submarine, and the little daylight that had filtered in through the top of the side windows of the main deck was dispelled.
“We are going down!” exclaimed Grace. “Oh dear! We are going under water again! Oh, Father, I can’t stand it!” and she sobbed on his shoulder.
“There, there, Grace, my girl,” he comforted her. “We are doing the best we can. Possibly in another day we will be our own masters.”
Jerry and his chums were indignant at Dr. Klauss for causing Grace so much anguish, but they realized that nothing could be gained by being rash. They must carefully work out their plans.
The Sonderbaar sank lower and lower in the water. Soon she was completely submerged and again, tightly closed, she surged ahead through the dark sea. Whither were they going? What had fate in store for the refugees? None could answer.
The remainder of that day Dr. Klauss was not seen. The meals were served without him, nor did his two foreign friends come to the table. Jerry, his chums, Mr. Sheldon and Grace had the dining cabin to themselves. Grace, in a measure, had recovered her composure, and begged the boys not to think her a nuisance for having given way to her feelings.
“That’s all right!” exclaimed Bob, stoutly. “We’ll soon have the upper hand of this crazy—submarinist.”
“That’s a new word,” laughed Grace, and they all felt better to hear her cheerful voice.
Watching his chance, Jerry slipped into the engine room when he noted that Dr. Klauss was not there. The German kept mostly to the pilot house, guiding his marvelous craft under water. But what was his object, and for what port he was headed, no one seemed to know. As he went in to see if there was a chance to speak privately to Ted Rowland and his mates, Jerry saw the two old Germans in their cabin, poring over books and papers, seemingly making intricate calculations.
Jerry saw the three machinists in consultation in one corner of the engine room. They started at the sight of him.
“Well, how are things going?” asked the lad, with a smile.
“Oh, well enough, I s’pose,” answered Ted, in no very cheerful tones. Jerry thought he looked at him in a peculiar way.
“Say, why don’t you tell him?” suddenly burst out Bill Burke. “I’m getting sick and tired of this business! Tell him, and maybe he’ll help us out!”
“That’s what I say!” added Tom Flynn. “What’s the use of holding back any longer.”
“What’s up?” asked Jerry, quickly, though in a flash an inkling of the truth came to him.
“Lots is up!” exclaimed Ted, vindictively. “We’re in a submarine run by a lunatic—that’s what’s up!”
“Have you just found that out?” asked Jerry, realizing that now was the time to strike for liberty.
“No, we’ve suspected it for some time,” said Bill. “But since you folks came aboard he’s got worse.”
“And now it’s the limit!” added Tom Flynn.
“Why?” Jerry asked.
“He’s just given orders,” went on Ted, “that he’s going to test this boat to the limit. He says he’s going to try to get to the bottom of the sea in a place where it’s two miles, or more, deep, and he’s going to see how long he can go without refilling the air tanks. We’ve got orders to hold on until something busts, and if I had my way something would bust right soon—and it would be crazy Dr. Klauss, too!”
“Hush!” warned Bill.
“I don’t care if he does hear me!” went on Ted. “I’m sick and tired of him!” and he tossed a monkey wrench down with a bang. “I say let’s take these boys and their friends into our plan.”
“What plan is that?” asked Jerry, hopefully, though he could almost guess, now.
“A plan to take possession of this boat, run her back to America and then get off!” cried Bill. “We’re tired of being cooped up here with a lunatic. No telling what he may do! Why, this boat will never stand the pressure at two miles. And as for that air test—well, I don’t want to go through it.”
“Nor do we!” cried Jerry, quickly. “Listen! I came in here to sound you, and see if you would join with us in the very same sort of plan. Dr. Klauss has threatened that we shall never see our homes again. He is going to maroon us on a desert island. He hates Americans—he hates you—his brother was shot as a spy in the Spanish-American War and he says he’s going to blow up our navy!”
“Does he!” cried Ted. “Then he sure is crazy, and I’ll do all I can to put him in irons! Blow up our navy; eh? What do you think of that, fellows?”
“That’s the limit!” cried Bill. Though the men had left Uncle Sam’s service, it was only temporarily, and they were still loyal, though working for a foreigner.
“Then you’re with us?” asked Jerry, eagerly.
“Every time!” cried Ted. “We’ll help you lock up this crazy captain, and then help you navigate the ship back home. I guess we can do it.”
“What about those other two Germans?” asked Bill.
“Just give them some problem to work on—say to figure how many drops of water there are in the ocean, and they’ll keep at that day and night—wouldn’t even eat if you didn’t make ’em. They won’t bother us.”
“Then,” said Jerry, “we’ll take Dr. Klauss into custody as soon as possible, and gain possession of this boat. I think we have a right, under the circumstances, especially after his latest order to run us all into such risks.”
“Boy, we’re with you!” cried Ted. “Shake!” and he held out his hand.
As Jerry clasped it there was a sound behind them, and they turned to behold Dr. Klauss regarding them with a strange light in his eyes.