"Great heavens! what's up?" ejaculated the lieutenant. "Here, bring Price up before he's done for."
Hastily Egmont communicated this disquieting news to Captain Tarfag. The latter went for'ard and awaited Diver Price's re-appearance.
As soon as Price's helmet appeared above the surface his glass plate was unscrewed, revealing his features as pale as a sheet.
"What has happened?" demanded Captain Tarfag anxiously.
The man was incapable of speech. He could only raise one hand in a gesture of horror and despair.
"Help him over the side, men," ordered the captain. "Run aft, one of you, and ask the steward to give you a stiff glass of grog."
Quickly Price was divested of his helmet and dress. Shaking like a leaf he sat down upon a bollard. He drained the glass of whisky at one gulp, and the colour began to return to his face.
"Both done for!" he cried. "Saw my mate stabbed by the villains. Never caught a sight o' Mr. Hythe."
"By heavens, I'll not stand this!" thundered Captain Tarfag. "I want three men to go down--who will volunteer?"
"I will, sir!" came a chorus of voices. Every man qualified as a diver had offered to risk possibly certain death in the depths of the sea.