“I heard them plan to capture this airship, but could do nothing to stop them. Then I resolved to pretend to act with them. They fear pursuit for their other mutiny, and are anxious to get as far away as possible.”
“Do you think they will abandon the ship in a little while?” asked the professor hopefully.
“I’m afraid not,” answered the mate. “I think they want to get rid of all of you, so they can sail about as they please. Tony is a smart man. He could soon learn to run this ship, he thinks.”
“I doubt it,” Mr. Henderson answered. “But how are you going to help us?”
“I have not fully made up my plans,” the mate answered. “However I wanted you to know I would do my best to save you. Now I must go. Be on the watch and when I can I will let you know what I have decided on. I will hand Mark a note when I bring your meals, just as I did to-day. I think——”
“Hark! What was that?” asked the professor.
There was a noise outside the door, as if some one was listening.
“Put out the lights!” whispered the mate, and Jack switched off the electric incandescents.
A knock sounded on the door and the voice of Tony called:
“Mark! Come here! I want you to look at the gas machine. It has stopped working, and we are falling!”