As the men aligned themselves for the assault, Darrin, mindful that the sham Prince was armed and might prove ugly, stood by with his revolver drawn.
Bang! crash! The door was down.
"It will be wise to surrender to superior force," Darrin called sternly. "We shall shoot to kill at any sign of resistance."
As the words were uttered in French the marines did not understand, but they advanced unhesitatingly on Mender, disarmed him and led him outside the room.
"Take care of him, Runkle," ordered Dave. "Now, marines, that other door!"
Down came the barrier, and Dalny, shaking and white, was brought out to keep Mender company.
"Break down every door that's locked," was Darrin's next order.
Within five minutes a little, quaking brown man was secured and led out. All the locked cabins had now been entered.
"You're the Japanese marquis, are you?" Dave jeered. "Do you find, Marquis, that it pays any better than being a Filipino mess attendant?"
The Filipino hung his head without answering.