“Let me in!” cried the aged man. “Let me in! Do you want to send the ship to the bottom?”
“That’s just what we do!” was the mocking response.
“Get an axe and chop the door down!” cried Jerry.
“It would take too long,” replied the keeper, in a strangely calm voice. “It is bound with iron, and is double thick. There is no help for it. The steamer will be lost!”
Footsteps were heard coming up the stairs.
“Maybe help is at hand,” said the keeper hopefully.
Then Jess came into view. In her hand she held something which she extended to Mr. Hardack.
“Here is your old horse pistol, uncle!” she exclaimed. “It is loaded with a heavy charge. Fire it through the lock and shatter it! I heard you pounding on the door and knew they had locked it!”
“Hurrah for you, Jess!” called Ned, and the girl blushed through her tears.