"Don't say a word, and Dick will call him down in a minute."
But the steward seemed to forget that he intended to make a change in the position of the stove, for he did not call Paul, as the conspirators were anxiously waiting for him to do. The tide had turned, and there was no obstacle in their way except the presence on deck of him to whom they had not dared to breathe a word of moral treason.
"Paul," said Tom, at last, when his patience was completely exhausted, "Dick wants to see you down below."
In order to make the request seem like one just made, he had lain down upon the fore hatch, which opened into the apartment where the steward was at work, thus seeming to be in communication with him.
"What does he want?" asked Paul, unconscious of the trick which was about to be played off upon him, and rather pleased than otherwise at the prospect of some employment to relieve the monotony of his situation.
"He wants you to help him move the stove."
"Never mind it now, Paul," interposed the steward from below; "any time before I make the fire to get supper will do."
"I will go now; I have nothing else to do," replied Paul, as he descended the companion ladder.
"Now is our time!" exclaimed Tom. "You look out for the fore hatch, and I will take care of the companion way."