“We’ve got orders to put fresh water in the lifeboats, and to see that all’s clear for getting away in a hurry.”
“As bad as that?” asked Tom, in some surprise. “Why I fancied the ship wouldn’t make much of this storm.”
“It isn’t so much the storm,” went on the sailor, “though that’s bad enough, and it’s getting worse. But she’s opened some of her seams, and we’re taking in water.”
“Have they started the pumps?” asked Tom in some alarm.
“Sure, but one of them is out of commission, and the others have all they can do. Take my advice and get ready for any emergency.”
“Jove! As bad as that!” exclaimed Tom with a gasp. “Surely the passengers ought to be told.”
“Oh, don’t worry,” the sailor advised him. “The captain will tell them soon enough. And if they know too soon it may start a panic.”
“That’s so,” agreed our hero.
He turned to go back to his stateroom, and, as he did so, he became aware that the door to the apartment of the man he suspected had been open a crack. It was quickly closed as our hero came opposite it, as if the occupant had been listening to what the sailor had said.