But the object of his quest—Frank Reade, Jr.—could not be found.
There was no trace of him to be found anywhere.
It was very mysterious.
To the reader this will seem strange, as we left him securely bound and the hatches closed by the departing divers of the Aurelian.
CHAPTER XII.
WHICH ENDS THE TALE.
Frank Reade, Jr., left bound hand and foot upon the floor of the main cabin of the Donna Veneta, was in by no means a happy frame of mind.
He was always clear grit and never given to despair.
Yet at that moment his case looked black and hopeless enough.
He lay for some while after the departure of his captors without making a move of any kind.
The other occupants of the cabin were respectful enough. Occasionally one of the dead buccaneers would lazily change his position, or, catching a current, float across the cabin.