They passed from the captain’s cabin into the forward cabin; for a moment Frank hesitated.
It would have been an easy matter for him to have reached out and cut the life lines of his foes.
But he shrank from such an act of murder with repugnance.
His one purpose was to reach the gangway and get out of the hold of the vessel as soon as possible.
It seemed to him that his best move was to regain the deck of the submarine boat and rejoin his friends as soon as possible.
So, when the divers had passed from the captain’s cabin into the main cabin, he slipped out from his concealment and started for the gangway.
Fatal move!
One of the Aurelian’s men turned just in time to see him. Instantly the fellow raised his ax and hurled it at Frank.
It was at close range, and the blunt head of it struck the young inventor’s helmet.
The shock was sufficient to instantly deprive him of his senses.