"I don't know anything about this French boat," returned Glennie thoughtfully, "but I'll bet something handsome she's not half so good a craft as the _Grampus_. There's a big advantage for us, right at the start. Then, again, about the only thing we're to fear from the stolen submarine is the torpedo work. Captain Pons says there were only two torpedoes in the craft. One of them is accounted for. They have only one more--and I guess we can get away from _that_. Besides all this, don't forget that the Japs are green hands with the submarine, and have had no practical experience in running her. Captain Pons explained to them the theoretical part of the machinery, but, you take it from me, those wily Orientals are going to get themselves into trouble."
"They manoeuvred the submarine pretty well last night," said Matt. "I don't see how they could improve much on their work. A Jap, Glennie, is a regular genius in 'catching on' to things. Show him how to do a piece of work once, and he knows it for all time. They're clever--as clever as they are wily, and sometimes treacherous."
At this point, Captain Pons put in a few words.
"I see ze torpedo is wiz youar boat, monsieur. You say zat you peek heem out of ze sea, but he is my torpedo, and he is vorth many sousand francs. I am to have him, eh?"
"We might need that torpedo, Matt," suggested the ensign, "for the _Grampus_ has only one. If it comes to a fight with the French boat that extra Whitehead would come in handy. I think we had better keep it."
"So do I," agreed Matt. He turned to Captain Pons. "The torpedo was fired at us, captain," he went on, "and it was by a happenchance, and at a considerable risk to myself, that I was able to save it and tow it in."
"He is mine, by gar!" cried the Frenchman.
"What good is the torpedo to you without the submarine?"
"Ma foi, I can sell heem. I save zat much."
"Any way you figure it," insisted Matt, "we're entitled to salvage on the torpedo."
"Nozzing, not one centime!" screeched Captain Pons, jumping up and down and flourishing his arms.
"Suppose I pay you the difference between the salvage and the cost of the torpedo?" asked Matt, willing to adjust the matter in any way that would secure peace.