Poole led the marines exultantly into the Diver’s cabin. The submarine boat was thoroughly ransacked, but of course no gold was found.
Poole was furious and Azata was crestfallen. The Spanish captain began to have suspicions that he was the victim of a hoax.
“Where is the gold, senors?” he asked of Barney and Pomp, in crude English.
“There is none on board, sor,” replied Barney, and then the Celt told the whole story of the quest for the treasure.
Even Poole began to see his error. After all, his supposition that the gold was on board the Diver appeared to be founded upon the most chimerical of evidence. Indeed, there was not the slightest thing to warrant the assumption.
Don Azata’s face hardened. He turned upon Poole savagely.
“You have deceived me,” he said, with true Spanish temper. “You are a lying dog!”
“I am no worse than you!” retorted Poole. “You have committed a piratical act in boarding this vessel.”
Don Azata folded his arms.
“My purpose was to demand the gold in the name of the King of Spain,” he said. “I act in his name. I will have no more to do with you. Unbind the prisoners!”