“For goodness’ sake, tell us!” exclaimed Nanny.
“I think something must have happened on board this boat to frighten the crew, and they abandoned it in a desperate hurry.”
“But that dead man?” said Joy.
“He was caught in the conning tower by the slamming of the door, and was left behind.”
“But what kill him?” spoke up Trolley. “This boat no been long abandoned, and he no die by starvation.”
Clif laughed.
“You stump me, Trolley,” he confessed. “I guess we are no nearer the solution than before. We’ll have to search further for clews.”
“And grub,” put in Nanny.
“Yes, and grub.”
Clif led the way into the officers’ mess-room, which was at the foot of the iron ladder. Picking up a coat, he examined it critically.