Seizing Penny’s arm, Ben pulled her flat against a warehouse.
Amazed by his action, she started to protest. Then she understood. Aboard the Snark there was some sort of disturbance or disagreement. The men, although speaking in low, almost inaudible tones, were arguing. Penny caught only one phrase: “Heave him overboard!”
“Ben, what’s happening there?” she whispered anxiously.
“Don’t know!” he answered. “But nothing good.”
“Where are the guards?”
“Probably at the far end of their beats.”
Aboard the Snark, there was a brief scuffle, as someone was dragged across the deck to the rail.
“That’ll teach you!” they heard one of the men mutter.
Then the helpless victim was raised and dropped over the rail. Shrieking in terror, he fell with a great splash into the inky waters. Frantically, he began to struggle.
“Those fiends!” Penny cried. “They deliberately threw the man overboard, and he can’t swim!”