"Last call!" went on the captain. "Another step this way and I'll shoot!"

"You're a robber!" cried Katz. "You and Wynn, between you, have skinuned me out of seventy-five hundred dollars!"

"Where did you get the money?" demanded Hogan ironically. "It's no crime to skin a skinner–or to shoot one either, Here's where you get yours!"

Before Hogan could pull the trigger, Clancy sprang upon him from behind, and forced his revolver hand downward. The weapon exploded, and a bullet plumped into the deck.

While the captain was struggling with the motor wizard, Katz ran forward and wrenched away the six-shooter.

"Let go o' him, Clancy!" panted Katz. "I've got him now. The old sea shark will do as I say or take the same medicine he's been threatenin' to hand me."

Clancy flung himself from Hogan, and the latter stood at bay under the muzzle of the revolver.

"You're a measly pirate," flamed Hogan, "to come aboard of me and carry on like you're doing!"

"I'm no worse'n you, if I am a pirate!" snarled Katz. "Put your hands to your back. Clancy, get another piece o' that rope and make Hogan's arms fast."

Clancy put down the satchel and followed his companion's orders.