Phil’s heart sank. There was the prize slipping away before their very eyes. He knew that this must be Lazar’s work.
Turning quickly he rushed to the cabin and unannounced burst in upon the commanding officer.
“Some one has deliberately disabled the ‘Vidette,’” he cried excitedly. “I can’t tell you why now, but believe me, sir, it is very important for us to get away at once. I asked the officer of the deck, Mr. Lazar, for permission to go down into the boat, but he refuses.”
The captain glanced up startled, a look of annoyance on his face. Then he realized that the lad was in deadly earnest.
Picking up his cap he led the way on deck.
“Mr. Lazar,” he ordered sternly, “allow these two young gentlemen to go down into the ‘Vidette’ immediately.”
Lazar hesitated but an instant.
“Certainly, sir. If you say so,” he answered with a wave of the hand to the waiting lads.
The two boys scrambled hastily down the Jacob’s ladder from the lower boom on to the deck of the “Vidette.” Phil made his way to the machinery space.
The engineer and fireman were bending over the little feed pump, which supplied the boiler with water.