But it was too late.
With one wild plunge he went over the rail. He was a strong swimmer and went for the shore. Barney would have pursued him in the boat.
But Frank said:
“No, let him go. He will never trouble us again, and we are well rid of him.”
Whether the villain ever reached the shore or not was never known. Nor was the fate of the Meta ever learned.
The white cruiser was not signaled. Instead, the Diver raised her anchor and set out for Belize.
The voyage home was a stormy one. When at length the Diver entered the river leading to Readestown she was pretty badly racked and strained.
“I’m afraid she’ll not go another cruise, Frank,” said Wade.
“I’ll not ask her to,” declared the young inventor. “She has done enough. She has well repaid me.”
Their arrival in Readestown was the signal for a grand ovation. The whole city turned out to do them honor.