CHAPTER XXVII
TRYING TO ESCAPE
The struggle was a sharp but short one. The boys were no match for thehusky men, and though the lads kicked and punched with all their might,they could not save themselves. In a few minutes they were securelybound, and with the bags tight over their heads, were picked up by themen.
"Where you going to put 'em?" they heard Elkwood ask.
"The storehouse is a good place," Bill Berry replied. "They can yellthere all night and never be heard. Take 'em to the storeroom!"
The boys felt themselves being carried up the steps. Then they couldtell, by the muffled footfalls, that they were being taken into somedungeon-like place.
"Shall we leave the bags on?" one of the men asked.
"No, I don't want to smother 'em," Bill replied. "They can't makethemselves heard in here, no matter how they yell. Besides, there'snobody around. We've got Hardack out of the way and he'll not be backuntil morning."
"You forget the girl. She may be back any minute."
"I guess not. Noddy has charge of her. He'll detain her some way orother. Those motor boats have a habit of breaking down, you know."
Then the bags were taken from the boys' heads, but their bonds werenot removed, and they were laid down on the cold stone floor of thestoreroom. With sinking hearts they heard the men withdraw and lock thedoor, leaving them prisoners in total darkness.
For a few seconds none of the boys spoke. They were so surprised andshocked at the suddenness of it all they did not know what to say. Atlength Jerry's voice broke the silence:
"Are either of you hurt?"
"Only scratched and bruised," replied Ned.
"My wrists are cut by the rope, and my legs hurt," said Bob. "I'm hun--"
"Let up on that!" exclaimed Jerry with a violence he seldom used. "Thisis no time to think of eating. Boys, it's a mighty serious matter.These men are going to wreck the ship!"
"Do you think so?" inquired Bob.
"Of course; what else is it? They have carried their plot into effect,but they did it differently than I expected. Bill Berry's going awaywas only a blind, and it fooled us. This new man, of course, is in thegame. He came along as soon as Bill left, so no one else would be hiredfor the place."
"Do you think they got Mr. Hardack away by a false message?" asked Ned.
"Of course they did. It was all in the game. Noddy is helping them."
"If I ever get hold of him I'll make him wish he'd never had a handin it," and Ned spoke so sincerely that his companions knew he wouldkeep his word. They thought of Jessica out alone with the bully, who,possibly had purposely disabled the engine to keep her from gettingback to the lighthouse.
"Oh, if we could only do something," exclaimed Ned.
"We've got to!" cried Jerry. "We can't let the ship be wrecked by themchanging the light."
"But how we going to stop 'em?" asked Ned.
"We must try and get loose," Jerry replied. "They tied us in such ahurry maybe some of the knots will slip. That's our only plan. There'sno use calling for help. It's just as Bill said, no one would hear us.Try and work your hands free."
They all tried but to little purpose. The ropes were firmly tied.Strain as they did they could not loosen the fastenings, and at lastthey had to stop, as the cords cut into their flesh.
"Well, they certainly got us into a trap!" exclaimed Jerry as, oncemore, he tugged at his bonds.
Suddenly Bob uttered an exclamation.
"Are you hurt?" cried Ned.
"Something cut my wrist!"
"What is it?"
"A piece of glass, I think."
"Glass! Good!" came from Jerry. "Can you get it in your hands?"
"I have it."
"Roll over towards me, and bring it with you."
Bob did so. He came close to where Jerry was still tugging away at theropes.
"How did you find it, Bob?"
"I was trying to get the knot loose and something sharp touched mywrist. I felt around until I found the glass."
"What's your plan, Jerry?" sung out Ned.
"I'm going to get Bob to hold the glass and I'm going to saw throughthe ropes on my hands. Then I'll set you all free!"
"Can you do it?"
"I'm going to make a big try."
Then in the darkness they began their efforts to escape. Bob stretchedout on his face, holding the jagged piece of glass from a broken bottlebetween his bound hands. By careful feeling Jerry edged his way overto him, until he could bring his wrists close to Bob's. Then both boysturned on their side, back to back, and Jerry began sawing at the cordsthat bound him.
It was hard work, and more than once they had to stop because theirarms ached. Several times Jerry's hands slipped and the glass cut him,but he did not mind. Back and forth he drew the rope over the keen edgeuntil he could feel the strands giving way.
"It's almost loose," he said.
In another minute he gave a triumphant cry.
"I'm free!"
"Now to loosen us!" called Ned.
Jerry reached into his pocket for his knife. Luckily the men had notsearched them, or taken anything away from the boys. With his handsfree Jerry soon had the ropes from his legs. Then he cut the bonds ofNed and Bob. Their limbs were stiff, from being tied so long, butvigorous rubbing soon restored the circulation.
"Now to escape!" exclaimed Jerry. "We must find a way out of this, andstop the rascals from setting the false lights!"
They stumbled about in the darkness. The storehouse was filled withboxes and barrels, over which they fell as they felt around, seekingfor some door or window. At last Ned cried out:
"Here's a door!"
The other boys made their way toward the sound of his voice.
"It's locked!" said Jerry, as he pushed against the portal.
"Can't we batter it down with a box or a barrel!" Bob said.
They searched around in the gloom for something to use, but could findnothing. Everything was too heavy.
"Maybe we can cut around the lock with our knives," suggested Ned.
In the darkness and silence they toiled. They could hear nothing fromthe men they knew must be in the lighthouse, working to cause thedestruction of the steamer. They felt as if they were imprisoned in avault.
"I wonder if we can get out and be in time?" said Ned. "It must bequite late."
"Don't talk! Work!" came from Jerry.
They redoubled their efforts to cut around the lock. But the door tothe storeroom was thick and strong, and the lock was a heavy one.
"It's no use," declared Bob after an hour's hacking away at the toughwood. "We'll have to stay here until they let us out."
"Don't give up," Ned spoke.
"Hark! What's that?" asked Jerry.
The others listened.
"They've started the machinery!" cried Bob. "The lenses are turning."
"Yes, and they are the wrong ones! They will get the ship on therocks!" cried Jerry. "We must escape!"
Terror struck to the boys' hearts. They had tried every means andfailed. The plotters had outwitted them. They could do nothing. Theybeat upon the door with their fists as though by their feeble effortsthey could break it down.
Ned stumbled aimlessly in the darkness, seeking for something withwhich to batter down the door. As he passed by a pile of boxes andbarrels he uttered a cry.
"Have you found anything?" asked Jerry.
"Something, yes! A window in the wall! An open window!"
Bob and Jerry hurried to where they heard Ned's voice. As they did sohe had climbed up on a box. He pressed his face close against the wall.A cool wind fanned his cheek.
"There is an opening!" he exclaimed. "But it is too small for us to getout of. It's only a ventilating window. But wait! Someone is coming!"
The boys almost held their breaths. Then Ned called in a loud whisper:
"Jess! Jess! Here we are! Let us out! Some bad men are in charge of theplace and are going to change the lights! They are going to
wreck asteamer!"