"Yes, abducted. We entered this port a short time ago. We were setting out for the town to communicate with the authorities concerning your loss, when all of a sudden we ran into a gang of men."
"Yes—yes," said Tom eagerly.
"Well, we didn't pay any attention to them, for they were a rough-looking crowd, but suddenly one of them exclaimed: 'There's two of those boys, now!' With that they all rushed at us, and—and something struck me, and that's all I can recall."
A fear that made him feel sick and faint clutched at Tom's heart.
"These men, what did they look like?" he asked, dreading to hear the answer.
"Like sea-faring men. I should have said they were on their way to some ship. Stay! I heard a name mentioned. It—it was—let me see—Spangler, I think."
"Rangler," struck in Tom, with vibrating heart.
"Yes, that was it—Rangler."
"Good gracious! He is the captain of that tug that Walstein and Dampier were on board of."
"In that case, don't wait here to bother about me. Let us get help at once."