"My heart is glad," replied Wasso Mikali, with flashing eyes. "My young men's knives are eager. Their hands are ready. What is the plan?"
Nikka turned to us.
"I must go with my people," he said. "Hugh, do you and Jack think you could keep the gang in play by a surprise attack through the drain? That would give us a chance to force the street-entrance, and we should have them between two fires."
"And where am I going to be?" demanded Vernon King indignantly.
"This will be a nasty affair, Professor," returned Nikka. "You ought to stay out. We are younger men, and we are used to this kind of thing."
"Betty is my daughter, and I am as able to fight for her as any of you," answered King. "I know how to handle a pistol."
"We ought not to refuse you, you know," said Hugh. "Every man is going to count."
"I certainly expect to be counted," replied King.
"Me, too, your ludship and Mister Nikka, sir," spoke up Watty, lunging to his feet. "Yes, I will, gentlemen. You give me another glass of that 'ere whiskey or arak or whatever you call it, and I'll fight 'em all by myself. Yes, I will. And I guess I can swing a crowbar, if I 'ave got a bump on my 'ead. Let me at 'em, gentlemen, only let me. That's all I ask."