“Why?” demanded his chum.
“Why,” repeated Frank, “because if we get out here before nine o’clock we might just as well stay ashore. Price will not come to the surface until nine sharp.”
By the flare of a match he struck, Jack gazed at his watch.
“No need to worry there, then,” he said. “It’s three minutes to nine right now.”
“Pretty lucky,” said Frank.
“Rather,” commented Lord Hastings dryly. “Look back and see if they are following us.”
“Yes, sir, twenty of them,” replied Frank, after a glance over his shoulder.
“Well, we’ll have time, unless they are armed with cannon,” said Lord Hastings. “All we need is to get aboard the D-17. Rifle shots won’t hurt us then.”
Rifle bullets continued to fly over and about the motorboat, one occasionally striking home. But none of the occupants was touched.
“We must be about the place,” said Frank suddenly.