CHAPTER XV
MISTAKEN IDENTITY
Ned looked at Jimmie in astonishment. He could scarcely credit his senses. He began ascending the iron ladder leading to the deck.
Eagerly the lad glanced about the upper portion of the submarine which now showed black and gleaming above the surface of the water.
“Harry,” he called down the hatchway, “didn’t Mackinder say he was coming on deck to see if he could be of service to Jimmie?”
“He certainly did!” answered Harry. “Then we went on working at the pumps. I was busy with the starboard pump because it wasn’t working just as it should. I saw him start up the ladder!”
“And I saw him when he was about half way up!” put in Jack.
“I’m equally certain he didn’t return, but it may be well enough to stop a minute to search the interior. Perhaps he came back.”
In a moment all five boys were busily going over every corner of the craft. From stem to stern they ransacked every place where it would have been at all possible for their guest to have hidden.