"How'll that save him?"
At that point the explosions of an engine getting to work echoed sharply through the steel hull of the Grampus. The whole fabric began to quiver, and muffled, indistinct voices could be heard. Immediately there was a perceptible downward movement.
"We're sinking!" exclaimed Matt.
"Looks like the scoundrels was takin' us to the bottom," said Holcomb grimly. "More'n likely McMillan has shown up with some more men and is makin' things lively for those on the wharf. The fellows that grabbed us are takin' us below the surface so the officers can't get at us, or Jurgens! Gadhook it all! Captain Nemo, Jr., didn't seem like a man who'd help out any underhand game like this. I reckon we're in for it, Matt. I ain't got any fears but that we'll come out all right in the end, but the outlook is a long ways from bein' pleasant. If Nemo, Jr., is trying'—— There! I reckon we've hit bottom."
Holcomb broke off his remarks abruptly. The downward motion of the Grampus had ceased with a slight jar. Before the two prisoners could talk further, one of the doors opened and Jurgens came into the room. He was followed by the man who had climbed out of the Crescent and had faced Matt on the wharf.
Closing the door behind them, the two men stood looking grimly down on Matt and the officer.
"I don't understand what your game is," cried Holcomb, angrily, "but if you know when you're well off, you'll set us at liberty, and be quick about it."
"You'll get your liberty, all right," said Jurgens. "Now that I've got hold of what I wanted, I'll not be long pulling out of Atlantic City. The moving-picture business can go hang for all of me! I've got a fortune in prospect, and I'll nail it here and now if it's the last thing I ever do."
"What do you mean by treating me like this?" demanded Matt; "what have I got to do with your plans?"
"You and the officer could have upset 'em mighty easy if we hadn't bowled you over and got you out of the way before the rest of those policemen got here."