“Back a foot,” he called to Doris.
Back he slid. “Now,” he breathed. There was the hose and screwcap, and there were his pinchers. Swiftly, skillfully, he manipulated the lever, and, by a fortunate providence, caught the cap just as he should.
“Now,” he breathed.
But again there came that sickening lift and swing—and one crash of his window against the sub, would spell his doom.
Now he was on bottom again. A move—a second move—then a third—and he was back in position. Now—
“No,” he breathed, desperately, “not this time.”
For again came that sickening lift.
* * * * * * * *
In the meantime a coastguard cutter had anchored close to the Sea Nymph and an officer came aboard.
“I am Major Braden, of the Marines,” he said, bowing to Doris, Johnny and the professor. “I’m on extraordinary duty just now—watching these waters. I used to be in command when we occupied these islands for military purposes, and I understand you’ve located a foreign submarine.”