Through the whole recital Weddigen cringed like an animal afraid. His face was ghastly white, but with it all he endeavored to keep quiet and self-possessed, ready to take advantage of any opening.
"I've suspected him from the very beginning," Dick was saying. "The first day you broached this proposition to us, Mr. Thacker found him spying at the keyhole of your office. Only yesterday, when Mr. Thacker was telling you how he planned to get into the U-boat, this chap Weddigen bobbed up unexpectedly."
Captain Austin was nodding in a knowing way.
At this juncture some one else took a hand in the proceedings. Jay Thacker stepped forward.
"Captain Austin, I'm neither a quitter nor a squealer," he began. Just for a moment he paused, and then resumed.
"You recall the scene on the day that we came back with the diamonds from the Dominion—or rather, when Weddigen came back with the diamonds. Weddigen was accused by Larry Seymour of having stolen some of the glittering gems and secreted them in a slit pocket in the side of his diving suit. Weddigen explained that the chest had come open and that he had slipped some of the jewels into his pocket only when they were in danger of being lost."
The captain of the Nemo remembered it all.
"Very well, captain, I had intended always to keep silent," continued Jay. "You seemed satisfied to take his word for it; and I did not feel like speaking out for fear you and some of the fellows would think I was only jealous because Weddigen had gotten the diamonds and I had not. But now I'm going to speak out and tell the truth."
Jay looked full into the face of Weddigen, fearlessly and intently. In return he was met with a bitter look of scorn.