"Thought I heard you movin' around," said the man above, turning away from the top of the tower.
Pedro was forced down on the locker, and Ysabel glided forward with a piece of rope for bonds and a piece of cloth for a gag. Pedro turned his wild eyes on the girl with startled inquiry and suspicion.
"You will not be hurt, Pedro!" whispered the girl; "don't make a noise—please."
She followed this with some soft words in Spanish. But Pedro, loyal though he undoubtedly was to the girl, continued to struggle. Matt and Speake, however, managed to get him bound and gagged.
"This is only the beginning, Motor Matt," breathed Ysabel, her cheeks flushed with excitement and her eyes bright as stars. "Here is Pedro's revolver—take it."
Matt took the weapon and thrust it in his pocket.
"We can't use firearms," he whispered, "for they make too much noise. Our hope lies in capturing our enemies one at a time, then cutting the cables and dropping down the river. If possible, we must do this before Fingal gets back."
"Where did Dick go?" asked the girl.
"To release Gaines and Clackett. The torpedo-room door is fastened by a bolt on the outside, so he'll have no trouble in getting them out. We'll wait till they come before making our next move."
Matt had hardly finished speaking before Dick came in through the forward door of the room. Clackett followed him—but Gaines was not along.