“Threaten to drop him overboard. Perhaps that will make him tell how he happened to get in our ship, and what are the plans of the gang of diamond makers. We may get valuable information that way.”
“I don't believe you can scare such fellows much,” was Tom's opinion, but it was agreed to try.
“How are you going to capture him?” asked Mr. Parker. “If he has a gun it won't be any too easy to go in the storeroom, and drag him out.”
“We'll have to use a little strategy,” decided Tom, and then they discussed several plans. The one finally adopted was that Tom and Mr. Damon should enter the storeroom, casually, as if in search of food to cook for supper. They would discuss various dishes, and Mr. Damon was to express a preference for something in the food line, the box containing which, was well back in the room. This would give the two a chance to penetrate to the far end of the apartment, without arousing the suspicions of the hidden man, who, doubtless, would be listening to the conversation.
“And as soon as we get sight of him, you and I will jump right at him, Mr. Damon,” said Tom. “Jump before he has a chance to use his gun. Mr. Jenks and Mr. Parker will be waiting outside the room, to catch him if he gets away from us. I'll have some ropes ready, and we'll tie him up, and—well, we'll decide later what to do with him.”
“All right. I'm ready as soon as you are, Tom,” said the eccentric man. “Come ahead.”
They went softly to the storeroom, and listened at the door. There was no sound heard save that made by the machinery.
“I wonder if he's really here?” whispered Mr. Damon.
“We'll soon find out,” answered Tom. “Let's go in.”
They entered, and, in pursuance of their plan, Tom and his friend talked of various foods.