He stopped abruptly, and suddenly gripped Burney's arm.
'There's some one listening,' he whispered. 'I heard some one behind that boat. No, stay where you are. If we both move, he'll smell a rat.'
'Well, good-night, Dave,' he said aloud. 'I must be getting below.'
Turning, he walked away in the direction opposite to that of the boat, but as soon as he thought he was out of sight in the darkness, he turned swiftly across the deck and made a wide circle.
He heard a rustle, and was just in time to see a dark figure dart forward, the feet evidently shod in rubber soles which moved soundlessly over the deck.
He dashed in pursuit, but it was too late. Being war time, the decks were of course in darkness, and the man, whoever he was, disappeared—probably down the forward hatch.
Ken came back to Burney.
'No good,' he said vexedly. 'The beggar was too quick for me.'
'Then there was some one there?'
'You bet. I saw him bolt.'