“It must come from below—from the hold under us.”
“But what can be burning? This is not a cargo boat,” said the puzzled Jessie. “We don’t want to frighten them all, especially if it amounts to nothing.”
“I know. That is why I called you first,” Nell declared, anxiously. “I—I wasn’t sure.”
“Well, I am sure of one thing,” said Jessie confidently.
“What is that?”
“This is a very serious thing if it is serious. We must tell Skipper Pandrick at once. Let him decide what is to be done.”
“You wouldn’t tell Darry?”
“The skipper is responsible. We won’t frighten the boys if we don’t need to,” and Jessie tried to open the door again. “Come on. Don’t stay here and get asphyxiated.”
“It is all right with the window open,” said Nell.
She turned to follow her chum and saw Jessie tugging at the door-knob and stopped, amazed. The other girl used both hands, but could not turn the knob. She tugged with all her strength.