Stopping only to make sure that all on board were dead to outward impressions for an hour at least,—after which time Jack calculated they would begin to stir,—the trio of lads made no more delay about seeking out the stern cabins, in which, they believed. Professor Chadwick and the rest were confined.
Jack was the first to make the alarming discovery that the staterooms which had been the scene of their captivity were empty.
It was a bitter pill to swallow indeed. The boys, perhaps despite their better judgment, had confidently calculated on finding and delivering their friends. Now, however, it appeared that they were as far from accomplishing this as ever.
“There’s only one conclusion to draw,” said Jack at length. “Herrera, for reasons best known to himself, has left them some place ashore.”
“Unless he——” began Ned, but Jack cut him short.
“I guess even Herrera wouldn’t dare to go much further than that,” he declared stoutly, “the question now is,—where has he left them?”
“Judging from the speed with which he overtook the Sea King he could not have proceeded far from the spot where we first encountered the Tarantula,” decided Ned, “according to my ideas then, our friends have most probably been set ashore on his plantation.”
“Cracky! I believe you are right, Ned,” cried Tom in a jubilant tone.
His voice became more sober the next minute, though.
“In that case they will be under a strong guard,” he added despondently.