In the darkness and silence they toiled. They could hear nothing from the men they knew must be in the lighthouse, working to cause the destruction of the steamer. They felt as if they were imprisoned in a vault.
“I wonder if we can get out and be in time?” said Ned. “It must be quite late.”
“Don’t talk! Work!” came from Jerry.
They redoubled their efforts to cut around the lock. But the door to the storeroom was thick and strong, and the lock was a heavy one.
“It’s no use,” declared Bob after an hour’s hacking away at the tough wood. “We’ll have to stay here until they let us out.”
“Don’t give up,” Ned spoke.
“Hark! What’s that?” asked Jerry.
The others listened.
“They’ve started the machinery!” cried Bob. “The lenses are turning.”