I heard a sound as of a hatch closing, and all became quiet.
I crawled from my hiding-place and made my way with all possible speed to the trap-door. I reached up and knocked upon it softly, and in a moment Dibble opened it from above.
"Quick!" I whispered. "They have been down after me. Let us get on deck, just as if nothing had happened."
Dibble followed my advice. On reaching the deck I found that neither the captain nor Lowell had put in an appearance. I saw Mr. Ranson still at the bow, and immediately went forward to speak to him.
"Well, how did you make out?" he asked anxiously. "You have been a long while."
"I've got all the evidence," I returned. "But we must be careful or we shall be discovered. Listen to what I have done."
As quickly as I could I related my adventures down in the hold.
"You have done exceedingly well," he said, and laughed heartily over the ruse I had used to escape detection.
"Paving stones and kindling wood! It is a great swindle indeed."
"I guess we won't need any more proofs than that," I said.
