"No, this is my hour off. Bossermann is in charge. By the way, I see
Powell went off after the others."
"Yes, and I wish the others were back," answered Fred. He hesitated a moment. "Mr. Norton, I believe you have been with Captain Barforth a long time and that you and he are old chums."
"That's right."
"Then I can trust you, can't I? It is something which concerns Captain
Barforth and this vessel very much."
"Sure you can trust me."
Without hesitation, for he felt sure Norton was both honest and reliable, Fred told his story to the head engineer, who nodded many times during the recital.
"I see it," whispered Norton. "I suspected something was wrong. Carey and Bossermann are in some sort of a plot with this Wingate, who came on board solely to aid that Sid Merrick. I believe Carey is going off to meet Merrick and see if he can make a deal with him."
"That is what I think. How can we thwart him?"
"Better fire that gun, as a signal to those on shore, first of all.
Then we'll see what the mate has to say."
Fred needed no urging and soon he brought up a shotgun from the cabin and discharged it—the signal heard by Songbird, as we already know. Scarcely had this been accomplished when Asa Carey rushed down upon him from the pilot house.