Instantly the engine was started again he leaped to his feet, thrust a revolver into Roy’s hands, and whispered:
“Keep the sharpest lookout you know how on the skylight. If you see so much as a shadow, fire at once!”
“I hardly know yet awhile; but I’ve got a sort of an idea which may turn out to be a big thing.”
Then, to the great surprise of both his companions, Ned began examining the partition which separated the cabin from the upper portion of the engine-room.
The inspection appeared to afford him considerable satisfaction, and he began cutting the highly polished moldings on either side of the center panel with his pocket knife.
This apparently useless destruction was more than Vance could witness in silence, and he asked quite sharply:
Ned placed his finger on his lips as a token that no noise should be made, and continued to work with feverish haste, stopping every now and then to make certain he was not heard by any one who might chance to be on the opposite side of the wood-work.
During an hour he labored industriously, and then there was an expression of the most intense satisfaction on his face as he went softly to Vance’s post of duty, beckoning for Roy to join them.
“That bulkhead is only made of thin boards,” he said in a whisper, “and I have cut away the moldings until the center panel can be pulled out in a few seconds.”
“Well, what does that amount to?” Vance asked impatiently.
“It will be possible to get into the engine-room, and if that can be done without raising an alarm, I count on regaining possession of the steamer with but precious little trouble.”
“How?” both boys asked in the same breath.
“Here is the scheme, and mind that you understand it perfectly, for there will be no opportunity to explain matters after we begin operations. There is a speaking-tube from this room to the pilot-house, isn’t there?”
Yes,” Vance replied wonderingly. “Father had it put in so he could talk to the man at the wheel without being obliged to go on deck.”
“Very well: when I give the word, you must whistle through and claim to want to talk with Manuel. That will bring him up to the pilot-house. Then you are to ask him on what terms he will agree to set us adrift at some point where we can reach Key West without difficulty——”