"Ahoy, yourself, old ship!" roared Dick. "That's the _Grampus_, I take it?"
"Yes. Captain Nemo, Jr., is going to take you and Carl aboard. Go back to the _Santa Maria_ and get our traps. Be quick about it, for the weather is threatening."
"Ay, ay," cried Dick heartily, "and it's glad I am to leave the old hooker."
Dick dropped down in the boat and the sailors fell-to on the oars.
"Come inside, Matt," called Captain Nemo, Jr. "I'll get out of the way and make room for you."
The captain disappeared downward, and Matt climbed over the rim of the conning tower and quickly descended the iron ladder.
In a square chamber called the periscope room, at the foot of the ladder, Matt found the captain and Cassidy waiting for him. Each grasped his hand. There was only a moment for congratulations.
"Up into the tower with you, Cassidy," called the captain, "and keep watch for Dick and Carl. We're going to take them on as soon as they pick up their belongings."
"Ay, ay, sir," answered Cassidy, "I heard your talk with Matt, and Matt's talk with the fellows in the boat."
Cassidy disappeared up the ladder and Matt dropped down on a locker and began pulling off his water-logged shoes.
"I've got a dry suit in my grip," said he, "and when the boys get here I'll slide into a more comfortable rig."
"And Sixty threw you overboard!" muttered Nemo, Jr., a black frown crossing his face. "The murderous scoundrel! I have long known him as a desperate man, but I would hardly have believed him capable of such a move as that! What was his reason?"
"You mean to say that you don't know what his motive was for attempting such a high-handed piece of work?"
Captain Nemo, Jr.'s, amazement increased.
"_My_ niece?" he echoed. "I have no niece."
"I should hope not! Where did you get all this queer misinformation?"
"From the girl who called herself Sadie Harris, and who said she was a niece of yours."
"You and your friends have been badly fooled, Matt," said the captain. "We must probe to the bottom of this and----"
Just at that moment the _Grampus_ gave a wild roll, nearly upsetting Captain Nemo, Jr., and almost throwing Matt from the locker. A bucket of water came sloshing down the conning-tower hatch.
"The squall's hit us!" roared Cassidy. "The weather's so thick with rain and flying scud I can't see the steamer."