From stem to stem they searched the little submarine. Not a single movable obstacle but what they moved. It was as systematic a search as it was possible to conduct, but there was no sign of a stowaway.
“Well, there is no one here,” said Frank, when the search had been concluded. “Therefore, it must have been a member of the crew.”
They went back to Lord Hastings’ quarters, where Johnson still stood on guard. Lord Hastings looked them over carefully, then spoke.
“Men,” he said, and his voice was very grave. “Some place on this vessel there is a traitor. We have searched high and low for some sign of a stranger, but we could find no one. Therefore, the spy must be among you. Will he step forward and save his companions from the finger of suspicion?”
Not a man stirred.
“Then——” began Lord Hastings, but he was interrupted by a sudden motion of the vessel, which seemed to be flying up through the water.
Up to this time it had been perfectly stationary.
“What’s the meaning of that?” cried Lord Hastings when he had recovered his balance.
“I should say someone was forcing the water out of the tanks, sir,” replied Jack calmly.
“But every man is in this room,” replied the commander.