"Quick!" I whispered. "They have been down after me. Let us get on deck, just as if nothing had happened."
Dibble followed my advice. On reaching the deck I found that neither the captain nor Lowell had put in an appearance. I saw Mr. Ranson still at the bow, and immediately went forward to speak to him.
"Well, how did you make out?" he asked anxiously. "You have been a long while."
"I've got all the evidence," I returned. "But we must be careful or we shall be discovered. Listen to what I have done."
As quickly as I could I related my adventures down in the hold.
"You have done exceedingly well," he said, and laughed heartily over the ruse I had used to escape detection. "Paving stones and kindling wood! It is a great swindle indeed."
"I guess we won't need any more proofs than that," I said.
"No, indeed."
A moment later the captain came on deck followed by Lowell. They gazed sharply about, and I was sure they were counting to see if any of the men were missing, for presently the boatswain entered the forecastle to see if one of the men was not there.
"I will have to leave you now," I said to the lawyer. "We must not excite suspicion."