THE ALLIES
“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.