Ralph followed him into the room. Hardly had he done so, when Martin slammed the door shut and sprang upon him.
Ralph was taken so off his guard that he went flat on his back. His head struck a block of wood that lay near, and for the moment he was dazed. Before he could recover, Martin had his hands bound with a strap he took from his pocket.
"Make a sound and I'll choke you!" he cried, in a warning tone.
Then he struggled to fix a gag in Ralph's mouth. A fierce fight ensued, but finally the rascal was successful. Then he bound Ralph's legs.
The poor boy was a prisoner at last!
CHAPTER XXXVI.
MICKETY TO THE RESCUE.
"That was easier done than I anticipated," muttered Martin, grimly, as he gazed down at his young prisoner. "Now what is best to do? It's good I remembered these rooms were empty."