nson," directed the Professor. The door
of this inner room the German also locked, remarking:

"Now, if the man, Holt, chooses to follow and listen, he can hear
nothing."

"All this sounds mighty mysterious," laughed Jack Benson, good-humoredly.

However, the submarine boy went and stood by a chair near the window and
then waited until he saw that the stranger was about to seat himself.

"Now," asked Jack, stretching his legs, "what's the business about? I
haven't a whole lot of time to-day."

"Listen, and you shall hear, as soon as I am ready," came, stiffly, from
the stranger. "You are a boy, and I am Herr Professor--"

"Oh, you told me all about being a hair professor before," smiled Jack.
"Now, see here. Whether you're really a barber, or whether you're just
amusing yourself with me, we want to have one thing understood. I came
here, sir, as a matter of courtesy to you, and you will have to treat
me with just as much courtesy. Otherwise, I shall wish you
good-morning."

This was said with a flash of the eye which warned Radberg that, in his
rather overbearing way, he was going too for.

"Oh, my dear young friend," he replied, persuasively, "you don't
understand. In Germany I am--well, perhaps what you would call a
rather distinguished man. At least, my neighbors are good enough to
say so. And, in Germany, when a herr professor talks, others listen
respectfully."

"Just the same way with the hair professors in this country," chuckled
Jack. "When an American barber gets wound up and started, all a fellow
can do is to listen. It's no use trying to run away from a barber
anywhere, I guess. He has you strapped down to the chair."

"Barber?" repeated Professor Radberg, in disgust. "I don't understand
you."

"Oh, it isn't necessary," laughed Jack. "It's a sort of Yankee joke.
And I beg your pardon, Professor, if I am wasting your time. Now, go
ahead, please, and tell me why you invited me here."

There was something of salt water breeziness and crispness about Jack's
speech that caused the German's brow to cloud for an instant. Then,
after a visible effort to compose himself, Radberg leaned forward
to ask:

"Do you speak German?"

"No, sir." Jack shook his head.

"Ach, that is too bad!" muttered the German, in a voice suggesting
severe disapproval of one who hadn't mastered his own native tongue.
"However, you will soon learn."

"Yes; if there's a big enough prize goes with it," agreed