“He was in the main cabin a few minutes ago, writing in his note-book,” said Jerry. “I saw him as I passed through.”
A glance into the cabin showed that the professor was not there.
“Perhaps he’s already eating, in the dining-room,” remarked Bob. “He might have gotten hungry, and couldn’t wait.”
“Oh, I guess he’s not like you,” retorted Ned. Still he looked into the cabin where the table was set, but no scientist appeared. The motor room was equally unproductive, and the boys now looked anxiously at one another.
“Can he have fallen overboard?” asked Bob, his voice trembling with apprehension.
“We’d have heard him cry if he fell,” said Jerry. Still, he went to the rail and looked down. They were passing over a broad stretch of meadow land, and there was no evidence that their friend had tumbled down.
“The storeroom,” suggested Ned. They hurried there, but found no professor!
Suddenly Bob, who had gone out on the after deck, uttered a cry of alarm. His companions hastened toward him, and looked to where he pointed.
There, lying face downward on the projecting stern of the motor-ship, his head and shoulders out of sight, was the missing professor, in a most precarious position!