“Let go!”
“Speak another word, and I’ll half choke the life out of you!”
“Ben!” murmured Tom gratefully.
A form had flashed through the doorway. There was the sound of a struggle, a thud, as Mart Walters’ body struck the floor.
“I’m sitting on him, Tom,” announced the newcomer. “Lie still, or I’ll knock you silly. Where’s that gag, Tom? I’ve got it.”
Tom felt the hand of his friend grope in the dark and remove the gag from under his chin. Then, from the squirmings and splutterings of Mart, he knew that Ben had silenced him effectually. Next, Ben whipped out his pocket knife, and the ropes holding Tom a prisoner were severed.
“Trim and tidy,” reported the diligent Ben as he helped Tom to his feet. “I’ve gagged him and tied him for keeps. Come outside.”
“Why, how in the world did you happen to come along in the nick of time?” propounded Tom, wonderingly.
“Never mind that now. You do just what I tell you to do. You were bound for Morgan’s?”
“Yes.”