"The same outfit," thought Ed. "They have captured Tom Quee, that's what. Now I am in the soup."
He dropped under the water, thankful that he had not allowed the hand which held the case to come into view.
Swimming under water to the standing ladder he hastily attached the rope, which still remained fastened to the case, to one of the submerged rungs.
Again Ed came to the surface and all breathless from his exertions, climbed into the boat.
And now again the boy ventured to look up, but he could see nothing of the two Chinamen.
"They are on the job all right though," thought Ed, "and they are watching me now. What on earth shall I do?"
It was indeed a problem.
Sitting quiet for a few minutes, Ed began to dress.
He had no sooner got the undershirt on which Tom Quee had provided for him than the two Chinks appeared at the top of the standing ladder.
"Hello, boy!" called one. "You gettee dlat blox?"