CHAPTER XXIV
THE ALLIES
“Now,” said Mr. Sheldon, a little later, when they had gone more intodetail as to what they would do, “now, the question is, how shall weapproach 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 asever--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. “Wemight escape from there. But the trouble is there’s no certaintythat he’d do that. I think the best plan is to get possession of thesubmarine.”
“Providing the crew will help us,” added Mr. Sheldon. “If they will notwe shall have to adopt another plan.”
There was a sudden motion to the submarine, and the little daylightthat had filtered in through the top of the side windows of the maindeck was dispelled.
“We are going down!” exclaimed Grace. “Oh dear! We are going underwater again! Oh, Father, I can’t stand it!” and she sobbed on hisshoulder.
“There, there, Grace, my girl,” he comforted her. “We are doing thebest we can. Possibly in another day we will be our own masters.”
Jerry and his chums were indignant at Dr. Klauss for causing Grace somuch anguish, but they realized that nothing could be gained by beingrash. They must carefully work out their plans.
The _Sonderbaar_ sank lower and lower in the water. Soon she wascompletely submerged and again, tightly closed, she surged aheadthrough the dark sea. Whither were they going? What had fate in storefor the refugees? None could answer.
The remainder of that day Dr. Klauss was not seen. The meals wereserved without him, nor did his two foreign friends come to thetable. Jerry, his chums, Mr. Sheldon and Grace had the dining cabinto themselves. Grace, in a measure, had recovered her composure, andbegged the boys not to think her a nuisance for having given way to herfeelings.
“That’s all right!” exclaimed Bob, stoutly. “We’ll soon have the upperhand of this crazy--submarinist.”
“That’s a new word,” laughed Grace, and they all felt better to hearher cheerful voice.
Watching his chance, Jerry slipped into the engine room when he notedthat Dr. Klauss was not there. The German kept mostly to the pilothouse, guiding his marvelous craft under water. But what was hisobject, and for what port he was headed, no one seemed to know. As hewent in to see if there was a chance to speak privately to Ted Rowlandand his mates, Jerry saw the two old Germans in their cabin, poringover books and papers, seemingly making intricate calculations.
Jerry saw the three machinists in consultation in one corner of theengine 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’mgetting sick and tired of this business! Tell him, and maybe he’ll helpus out!”
“That’s what I say!” added Tom Flynn. “What’s the use of holding backany longer.”
“What’s up?” asked Jerry, quickly, though in a flash an inkling of thetruth came to him.
“Lots is up!” exclaimed Ted, vindictively. “We’re in a submarine run bya lunatic--that’s what’s up!”
“Have you just found that out?” asked Jerry, realizing that now was thetime to strike for liberty.
“No, we’ve suspected it for some time,” said Bill. “But since you folkscame 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 thisboat to the limit. He says he’s going to try to get to the bottom ofthe sea in a place where it’s two miles, or more, deep, and he’s goingto see how long he can go without refilling the air tanks. We’ve gotorders to hold on until something busts, and if I had my way somethingwould 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 ofhim!” and he tossed a monkey wrench down with a bang. “I say let’s takethese boys and their friends into our plan.”
“What plan is that?” asked Jerry, hopefully, though he could almostguess, now.
“A plan to take possession of this boat, run her back to America andthen get off!” cried Bill. “We’re tired of being cooped up here with alunatic. No telling what he may do! Why, this boat will never stand thepressure at two miles. And as for that air test--well, I don’t want togo through it.”
“Nor do we!” cried Jerry, quickly. “Listen! I came in here to soundyou, 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. Heis going to maroon us on a desert island. He hates Americans--he hatesyou--his brother was shot as a spy in the Spanish-American War and hesays he’s going to blow up our navy!”
“Does he!” cried Ted. “Then he sure is crazy, and I’ll do all I canto 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’sservice, it was only temporarily, and they were still loyal, thoughworking 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 dropsof water there are in the ocean, and they’ll keep at that day andnight--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 aspossible, and gain possession of this boat. I think we have a right,under the circumstances, especially after his latest order to run usall 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 tobehold Dr. Klauss regarding them with a strange light in his eyes.