“You forget the girl. She may be back any minute.”
“I guess not. Noddy has charge of her. He’ll detain her some way or other. Those motor boats have a habit of breaking down, you know.”
Then the bags were taken from the boys’ heads, but their bonds were not removed, and they were laid down on the cold stone floor of the storeroom. With sinking hearts they heard the men withdraw and lock the door, leaving them prisoners in total darkness.
For a few seconds none of the boys spoke. They were so surprised and shocked at the suddenness of it all they did not know what to say. At length Jerry’s voice broke the silence:
“Are either of you hurt?”
“Only scratched and bruised,” replied Ned.
“My wrists are cut by the rope, and my legs hurt,” said Bob. “I’m hun—”
“Let up on that!” exclaimed Jerry with a violence he seldom used. “This is no time to think of eating. Boys, it’s a mighty serious matter. These men are going to wreck the ship!”
“Do you think so?” inquired Bob.