"You bet your boots he did; all here safe and sound," was his chum's rejoinder. "A nice day's work, too; but what would we have cared for the stones if your life had been forfeit in the deal."
The diamonds! How did Jay know about them?
"How did you know Weddigen landed any diamonds?" asked Dick, bending over his chum.
"I saw them," came the answer.
"But Weddigen says he landed them all alone and didn't see a trace of you all the time he was down. How's that?" Dick was nonplussed.
"Tell you after a bit," whispered Jay.
They made him as comfortable as possible on deck, preferring to leave him out in the fresh air and sunshine rather than carry him below. Dick took complete charge of him, and a capable physician he proved as he ministered to the needs of his chum.
Now that Jay had been rescued, the men of the Nemo were celebrating hilariously the salvage of the precious jewels, knowing the contents of the chest must be worth many thousands of dollars. Under the direction of Captain Austin the strong box was carried below, not to be opened until the Nemo returned to her base at Bridgeford.
Weddigen still reclined on deck. It had been a long, hard fight under water and he, too, had somewhat overstayed his time limit.