The Chinese crew threatened to get out of hand and seize the ship themselves, in order to make sure of their vengeance upon the boys for what they had done to Wong Ho. If the boys anticipated them, and got the upper hand, they could send a call for help by radio to the sub chaser. It would be a matter of only a very short time before that speedy craft could swing about and come to their rescue. Moreover, they would thereby capture “Black George” Folwell. And Inspector Burton had said it would be a feather in the cap of any man to accomplish that undertaking.
The main salon still was deserted, and the doors to the cabins of “Black George” and Matt Murphy still closed. Jack did not know, of course, whether Doctor Marley had returned to his patient. But
he believed that probably the frightened little man had waited above deck to see whether Engineer MacFinney found any signs of sabotage.
The Temples’ door resisted. It was locked. But Bob’s voice called sharply:
“Who’s there?”
“It’s I, Jack. Open up quickly.”
He heard Bob hit the floor, and grinned, even in the midst of his excitement. The big fellow evidently was sleeping late. By the time Bob had opened the door Frank stood beside Jack, completing a sketchy toilet by tucking shirt into trousers.
“Bob, Mr. Temple. We have got to try and seize the trawler at once.”
This was Jack’s opening remark, as he and Frank closed the door to the salon.
Father and son, pajama-clad, sleepy-eyed, looked at him in amazement.