"Three or four days," murmured Joe. "And in the meanwhile——"
He did not care to finish the sentence.
Again came a quick signal on the life-line.
"He wants more air!" cried the man who interpreted the jerks. "Give him more air, boys!"
The men at the wheel of the air pump worked it faster. Though why an increased pressure was wanted no one knew.
"Helen," said Joe in a low voice, "I'm going to try to save that man. I can't bear to stand here and think he may be slowly dying down there," and he pointed to the calm water, unruffled save by the few escaping bubbles of air.
"But how can you?" asked the girl. "There isn't another diving suit to be had here, Joe, even if you were used to one."
"I'll go down without one!" declared Joe. "In fact, I think I can work better without one than in one. I'm going down and try to save him!"
"Oh, if you only can!" she answered. "It would be great! But you will be careful—won't you?"
Joe nodded. Helen did not ask him not to go. She knew Joe too well for that. The young circus performer stepped up to Mr. Blair.