Only two of the Italians were slow enough to be overtaken and manhandled by the jackies. The rest of the assailants vanished swiftly into near-by houses, the doors to which were instantly closed and bolted.
For perhaps twenty seconds the two captured bravos were badly used. Then, thoroughly cowed, they were allowed to slip away.
"What happened to you, shipmate?" demanded one of the rescuers.
"Enough!" growled Runkle. "They got my money."
"Much?"
"All I had."
"Tough luck," declared one of the sailors.
"The chap who has your money surely got away before we could reach him."
"I've got to get aboard the flagship as soon as I can," exclaimed Able Seaman Runkle ruefully.
"The launch leaves in ten minutes, mate," volunteered another. "Those of us who are going aboard will now do well to get back to the mole."