A jerk on the signal cord conveyed the message that the mine was falling toward him.
“Does he answer?”
“No, sir.”
“Quick! Give him another warning!”
“He does not answer, sir.”
“There goes the signal line! It’s fouled, sir!”
A violent wrench on the supporting line with which the diver was to be hoisted to the surface tore it loose from its fastening on board the diver’s boat.
“The line’s gone, sir!”
All hands were standing up in the rocking boats. The sky had suddenly become overcast and spray was dashing over them in blinding sheets.
Sam stood as if dazed. He did not catch the full significance of the scene, but his mind was working. Like a flash it dawned upon him.