Three times she tapped it out and then the SOS signal. Each time she listened and received no reply.
And at last an answer came, clear, but fainter than the taps she had given. “OK, OK, OK.”
That was enough; she was not taking any unnecessary risks. As softly as possible she went to join Jo.
He had hoisted the ladder already and climbed up, and he motioned to her to follow. In another minute Ann was looking through the porthole of the captain’s cabin.
She wouldn’t have thought of speaking in any case but Jo’s finger on his lips cautioned her to be quiet as possible. As she stepped on to the ladder with her eyes lifted toward the porthole she realized that there must be a light in the room and when she could see over the rim she was not surprised to find the two men hard at their search.
Tom was running a knife through the cracks and crevices of the berth. Not a sound could be heard except his heavy breathing, and Charlie stood close by, watching.
“I tell yer it ain’t there,” said Charlie as Tom straightened his back at last and stood glowering at the berth.
“It’s—” And then Tom stopped, giving every thought and attention to a strained listening. “Hist!”
Charlie heard it, too, whatever it was, but Ann could catch no faintest echo. Was the ssushing sound coming?
Suddenly the light went out and with utter darkness came perfect silence in the cabin. Ann wished that she could keep her heart from beating so loud. It seemed as though the thuds must be noisy enough to be heard by the men below. But this complete silence did not last long. Suddenly came the sound of thuds and blows, and light came again.