Getting out a long hook covered with rubber he began to work on the plate of the trap-door.
For some time he could not budge it and more than once a slight shock of electricity made him halt. But at last the trap shut with a click.
"Shut," he muttered, and then came a thought that made him turn pale. Had he locked himself and the others in what would prove their tomb of steel?
The water had now stopped coming in and then the well-hole speedily became empty. But the pumping engine ran on as madly as ever, with a whirr that shook the Holland XI. from stem to stern.
Soon Gilson came running to him.
"Dross is alive," he cried, "and so are most of the others."
"Is Lieutenant Greggs alive?"
"I can't tell about him, sir. If he is he was touched pretty heavily."
"Well, do what you can, Gilson. I have no time to attend to them. I must stop this machinery or the boat will be ripped to bits."
"Shall I stop the pumping engine. That seems to be O. K?"