Tom Tidd groaned inwardly. What a chance he had lost!
“Now go and call some one. This fellow must be secured.”
“Let me go!” pleaded Tidd, becoming alarmed. “I won’t try to enter your stateroom again.”
“I don’t mean that you shall have the chance.”
“Let me go!” continued the burglar fiercely, making a hard struggle to get free.
“Can’t think of it, my fine fellow. For the sake of the community I shall see that you are secured.”
Meanwhile, Ben had run into the saloon and returned with two men—one an employee of the boat. Help came none too soon.
Tom Tidd had managed to thrust his hand into his pocket, drawing out a large jackknife, which he was trying to open. Had he done so it might have fared ill with his captor.
Ben was the first to see the knife.
“Take his knife away!” he exclaimed in excitement.