"Run to the stateroom and see," answered Baxter. "I'll get the big lantern."
Lew Flapp hurried to the door of the state-room, taking with him the key Baxter handed over.
"Hullo, in there!" he shouted. "Are you awake?"
Receiving no answer he knocked loudly on the door.
"I say, why don't you answer?" he went on. "I'm coming in."
Still receiving no reply, he started to put the key in the lock and found that he could not do so.
"It won't do any good to block the lock," he called out. "Answer me, or I'll break down the door."
Still nothing but silence, and in perplexity he ran back to Baxter.
"I can't get a sound out of them, and the keyhole is stuffed," he said.
"We'll break in the door," said the leader of the evil-doers.