Herr Muller's eyes narrowed as he spoke, and he gazed sharply at the lad before him.
"You understand?" he asked, as Ned did not reply.
"Perfectly. I was just trying to collect my thoughts. So you want a sectional plan of the _Manhattan_, showing where her armor is thinnest," he said slowly. "Well, supposing I make one, what is there in it for me?"
"That depends on the success of the grand project," was the rejoinder.
Ned looked puzzled. Into the anarchist's eyes there had come the same glare of fanatical fire that Herc had noted there before.
"What is this grand project, if I may ask?" he said presently.
"You may ask," was the reply, "but I shall not answer. The accomplishment itself shall be your reply--and the world's."
The man had risen to his feet and was pacing up and down the cabin excitedly. Suddenly he turned sharply.
"I shall ask for your reply in half an hour," he said abruptly, and plunged, rather than mounted, up the cabin stairs.
Ned sat lost in thought after his departure. After a long period of speechlessness, Herc spoke.
"What are you thinking about, Ned?" he asked.
"I'm trying to put two and two together," said Ned softly. "If I'm right in my conclusions, this fellow Muller is one of the most diabolical scoundrels that ever encumbered the face of the earth."
"Ye-es," drawled Herc judicially, "even without putting two and two together, I must say that I agree with you. But what particular brand of mischief is he up to now, do you think?"
"Well, in the first place, he doesn't want the plans of the _Manhattan_ just because of his interest in naval architecture."
"No, hardly. But it gets me what he does want them for."
"I've formed a pretty definite idea," rejoined Ned. "It was those torpedoes that set me thinking. Herc, I believe that a gigantic plot to injure the American navy is on foot. Those torpedoes are aboard to be used in pursuance of that purpose."
"Jiminy crickets!" yelled Herc, fairly brought to his feet; "and you talk about it as calmly as if you were asking me to come and have an ice-cream soda. By the same token, if I don't get something to drink pretty soon I'll dry up and wither away."
"We've got to keep calm," rejoined Ned. "Getting excited won't do any good. Look here, Herc, have you anything in the shape of a wrench about you?"