Dacres stopped and listened intently. He could have sworn that he heard footsteps on the upper deck.
Giving the alarm to his companion Dacres dashed up the metal ladder leading to the promenade deck, pushed back the hinged flap, and, crawling on his hands and knees, gained the stanchion rails on the lee side of the steeply shelving platform. He could see or hear nothing of a suspicious nature.
"What's wrong?" asked Whittinghame, thrusting his head and shoulders through the hatchway.
"Thought I heard some one moving," replied his comrade. "Below there!" he shouted, hailing the men who had accompanied their officers to the scene of the wreck.
"Ay, ay, sir," replied Callaghan.
"Have you seen anyone about?"
"No, sir."
"Have any of you been climbing on the wreckage?"
"No, sir; we've been standing here ever since you went on board."
"Must have been mistaken, then," said Dacres to his Captain. "I saw a door swing to, and I felt sure that I heard footsteps on the deck."