“Don’t know! Another explosion, I guess!” some one answered.
“They’ve signaled to abandon ship!” cried another. “We’ve got to take to the boats!”
With an exclamation Dr. Hallet turned from Ned’s side. He swung about and was about to retrace his steps when the lad caught him by the arm.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“Back to my cabin.”
“What for?”
“To get some of my most valuable experimental specimens and save my notebooks. Their loss would be irreparable.”
“You can’t go back!” cried Ned, and he sought to drag his companion with him. “The ship may go down at any minute, and if you’re caught in your cabin you won’t have a chance!”
“But I must save my papers!” cried the scientist. “They represent my life work. I would be ruined if they were lost! If we have to take to the boats I can save them if I have them with me. I can’t let them go down with the ship.”