“They’re in the strong room; they’ve found the treasure!”
His words echoed the length of the S-18 and a shout went up from the crew.
“Charlie Gill says someone must have made an attempt to get the treasure out before the Southern Queen sunk. The door of the strong room is open and several of the steel chests are outside the door. They’re bringing them out now.”
Minutes passed as the divers, each carrying a steel chest, made their way out of the interior of the Southern Queen and back along the side of the S-18.
Tim’s keen eyes were the first to see them. Russ Graham was ahead, his arms wrapped around a rusty steel chest. Close behind came Charlie Gill, with a similar chest in his arms. They deposited these in the diving compartment and waved to the men watching them through the quartz windows.
Then they were beyond the circle of light, seeking more treasure in the hold of the old tramp steamer.
“How long can they remain down at this depth?” Tim asked the commander.
“Not long. The pressure is too great, but Charlie and Russ are the best divers in the world. They’ll stick as long as they dare.”
Another and still another trip was made by the divers into the hold of the Southern Queen. The pile of steel boxes mounted. Six were stacked together. There were only two more. Then the job would be done.
Ike Green came running forward from his radio room.