This was apparent to the detective at a glance. The next moment he had gone through headfirst, falling on the deck in a heap.
It was rather an uncomfortable proceeding, and he bumped his head so that it rang again. But it was the quickest way to get out, and Nick Carter did not mind a crack on the head when on the heels of a slippery criminal.
He was on his feet in an instant, and looking around to see what the situation might be.
He heard Chick and Patsy both shouting on the other side of the vessel, and could distinguish the sound of running feet. Then he saw Captain Douglas holding out his arms, as if to stop somebody at the forward end of the deck, while the commander of the steamer indulged himself in picturesque profanity, because, as he declared, they were making a fool of his ship.
“Hey, chief!” bellowed Patsy.
“What is it?” responded Nick.
“Catch him when he comes around!” came from Chick.
“Stop, or I’ll plug you!” roared Captain Douglas at somebody.
It was just as this threat emanated from the chief of police that a man came tearing across the deck, in the shadow of the smokestacks, and made a leap for the gangway, where the ladder hung.
The ladder was a perfectly straight one, the sort of things to be negotiated only by a nimble person, whose head was cool and level.