Halstead was now on top of his assailant, and, though Giddings still tried to fight with fury, his strength was deserting him.
"One of you hold him," urged Captain Tom, "and I'll get up and explain."
"Did he attack you?" insisted Mr. Baldwin.
"Well, rather," grunted Halstead.
"Let him up. He won't dare attack you again, with so many about."
"No; but he may try to jump overboard," retorted Halstead. "Mr. Giddings has another drug streak on him. He's not responsible for what he does."
"I guess that's right," nodded Dr. Gray. "Baldwin, you and Mr. Ross hold him, while the captain gets up and tells us what has happened."
The young skipper quickly explained, producing the vial he had snatched from the young bank president.
"That's all the morphine I have with me," remarked Dr. Gray. "I'll make sure of keeping that, hereafter, where no one but myself can find it. Mr. Baldwin, you'd better get the young man below. Use force, if you find it necessary."
They accomplished this without having attracted the attention of any of the sailors or stewards. Mr. Giddings was then unceremoniously thrust into his stateroom, and the door locked, though this was not until the physician had searched the young man, removing his pocket knife and also the tool that the drug victim had used in forcing the lock of the medicine case.