"I think you did," admitted Billy. "But," he continued, "I didn't take much stock in the idea until I saw the revolver in Roque's hand. Then I knew that the fat was in the fire." "I gave Anglin the cue to beat it, and I did the trick by breaking into that Rhine song," exclaimed Henri. "Yet he never made a move until the yell of 'get him,' and I thought the jig was up, sure. He's the coolest hand in the business, that fellow." "Some of these days, maybe, he'll fall a little short in one of those getaways, and that will mean a tumble into six feet of earth." "Not he," stoutly maintained Henri, "he's the regular man with a charmed life. Say, I can't help laughing even now when I think of Spitznagle calling 'Conrad,' and the expression on Roque's face." Billy gave Henri a kick on the foot. Roque was approaching with a sheaf of telegraph messages in his hand. "What are you boys jabbering about? I want you to go down to the wharf with Albert and get the seaplane in trim. I'll join you in half an hour." Albert, a strapping youth, with the breezy way of a sailor, guided the boys across the grounds to the hangar, and watched with interest the making ready of the airship. "That's not my kind of a boat," he briskly stated, "but I'll be bound if this kind of craft didn't give us submarine workers a Christmas surprise. Ever travel in a submarine?" "We had a ride in one that we will never forget," replied Henri, as he applied the oil can to the big motors. Billy, busy with the steering gear, was not expected to answer, as he did not understand the question. "It is all a question of ups and downs, anyhow," went on Albert, "bombs from above and torpedoes from below." This trade discussion ended with the arrival of Roque, who had severed himself from style and was again in aviation attire. "Now, my carrier pigeons, you are in for a homing flight, that is, Hamburg; and it may be some time before you again get a breath of this port." With this assurance the seaplane was launched and took the airline for Hamburg, leaving Albert to his own devices. The travelers soon had sight of Zorn's ever-ready grin at the home of "the well-known tradesman." "We've been through a lot since we were last hauled out of these feathers," remarked Billy, as he bounced into the bed pillows that night. Happily, "coming events do not cast shadows" for sound sleepers. Roque had departed for the city before the boys charged into the breakfast room. "He has gone to the store," announced Zorn, who uncovered his teeth an extra inch, in compliment to his own humor. "Let's go over to see Lieutenant Hume," proposed Billy, after breakfast. "Just the ticket," agreed Henri, "I'm crazy to get a peep at the old flying quarters again." But Zorn objected to any move that Roque had not ordered. The boys had to be satisfied with the prospect, for to run against Zorn would be akin to tackling a mountain.