But the crew, angry that they had been under suspicion, now that they believed they had found the man who was responsible for their predicament, leaped upon the man and soon had him bound securely. At that moment Frank and Jack came upon them.
“Well, I see you have him,” said Frank quietly.
“Yes,” replied Lord Hastings, “but what was the shot I heard?”
“Oh that,” said Frank. “He took a shot at me when I came upon him as he was fooling about the tanks.”
“Did he hit you.”
“No; just knocked my gun out of my hands. But you see, there was a stowaway on board.”
“But where on earth was he hiding?”
“I found the hiding place,” said Frank quietly. “It is in the engine room, right where he could do the most damage should occasion require. He had built himself a little stage beneath the floor, where he could lie, only coming out when it was safe.”
“But why hasn’t he sunk us long ago? That’s what I would like to know.”
“I think I can answer that,” said Jack. “I should say that his work was to find out the specifications of the D-16—how she attains her great speed, and how she can remain indefinitely under water. In some way word of her building must have reached the enemy. Am I right?” he asked of the prisoner.