The older man's jaw dropped. He looked haggard. But the younger one demanded, fiercely:
"Is all this any of your business?"
"Not a bit," admitted Jack Benson. "All I'm here to do is to rescue you, or help in it."
"Humph!" grunted the younger man.
"Heave a line, Hal!" shouted the submarine boy, signaling with one hand. "Drive it straight. I'll get it."
Swish! Whirr—rr! It was a splendid cast. As Jack leaped to his feet the slender rope fell over one shoulder. Benson caught it with both hands.
"I'll help you," called the younger stranger with startling suddenness, reaching forward. He grabbed at the submarine boy. The next instant Jack Benson lost his footing on that wet, slippery sloop bottom. He pitched, threw up his hands in an effort to regain his balance, then toppled, disappearing beneath the waves.
"They're trying to drown Jack!" rang Hal Hastings's excited voice.
"That was a deliberate trick!"