148 TOM SWIFT AND HIS JETMARINE
examined minutely through the submarine’s instruments before the boys decided that none was the Primrose.
As the minutes slowly passed, Tom’s face took on a worried expression. “I don’t like to say this, Bud, but I’m afraid the pirates reached the Primrose ahead of us.”
“In that case,” said Bud, “they will be sailing her toward Spaniel Island. Let’s go!”
“That’s sound reasoning,” Tom agreed. “We’ll try it.”
He submerged to periscope depth in order to avoid detection by the pirates and reduced speed in order not to overlook a single craft that might come into view on their screen. Several coastwise ships of sizable tonnage passed above, but the boys did not sight the yacht.
“We’re just about to the end of the possible distance the Primrose could have made in this length of time,” Tom said finally. “Maybe we should try another direction.”
Bud glanced anxiously at the radarscope. Tom was about to turn the wheel of the jetmarine when his friend shouted:
“Look at the screen! This may be it, Tom!”
“Whatever the ship is, she’s not making any headway,” Tom remarked. “We’d better investigate.”
“Ten to one it’s the Primrose!” Bud exclaimed.
“Prepare to surface!” Tom ordered.
In a few moments the Sea Dart broke into the evening darkness. Tom and Bud clambered through
KIDNAPED! 149
the escape hatch. Stars were twinkling and the sky was streaked with thin, wispy clouds. The moon provided enough light so that the boys could make out a yacht listing badly to port.
“There’s not a light aboard!” Bud exclaimed. “That’s strange!”