"No, only restless, Dick," he replied. "By the way, I saw something strange," he continued, and he related the occurrence.
"We must look into this, Sam. It may mean nothing and it may mean a great deal," was the eldest Rover boy's comment.
The boys did not go on deck until after breakfast. Then they walked to the starboard rail and stopped at the spot where Sam had first discovered the deck hand.
"I don't see anything," said Dick, gazing over the rail. "Perhaps he was fishing, after all. He may have thought—Hullo!"
"What is it, Dick?"
"Some kind of a line down here—a wire, fastened to a hook!"
"Can you reach it?"
"Hardly. I might if you'll hold my legs, so I don't go overboard."
"Hadn't we better tell Captain Barforth of this first? The wire may belong there."
"I don't know what for. But we can tell the captain. Here he comes now."