That night Fenn, who was not sleeping as soundly as he should, in consequence of having eaten too much supper, was awakened by hearing a peculiar buzzing noise. At first he could not locate it, and then, after sitting up in his bunk, he decided it came from the stateroom adjoining his, and which had no occupant this voyage.
“It sounds like a hive of bees,” he said to himself. “I wonder if the captain can have any in there.”
Then the absurdity of such an idea was apparent to him, and he smiled at his notion. Still the buzzing continued, growing louder. Fenn was wide awake now.
“Maybe something is wrong with the ship,” he reasoned. “That sound might be water coming in through a leak. I think I’ll tell the captain.”
He got up, and, moving about his stateroom, in search of his trousers and slippers, he knocked a glass out of the rack.
“What’s that?” called Frank, who was a light sleeper.
“It’s me,” replied Fenn.
“What’s the matter? Sick?”
“No, but I heard a funny sound, and I want to find out what it is. Maybe the boat’s sprung another leak.”
“Oh, you’re dreaming,” commented Frank. “Go back to bed.”