“It sounded like someone thumping on a wall,” Penny cried. “There it is again!”
The noise was not repeated a third time, but Captain Bricker had heard enough to make him believe that someone remained below. Drawing his revolver, and warning Penny to keep back, he started down the dark companionway.
At a safe distance, Penny trailed him. His bright flashlight beam cut paths of light over the walls as he tried the doors.
“Anyone here?” he shouted.
A thumping noise came from a room on the right. Guided by the sound, Captain Bricker tried the door. It was locked.
A powerfully built man, the officer hurled his weight against the door, and the lock gave way. Keeping back, lest he become a target for a bullet, he kicked the door open. The room was empty! But, the flashlight beam caught the outline of a trapdoor in the floor. The officer flung it open. Below, in the hold, lay a man gagged and bound hand and foot.
Following the police officer into the room, [Penny uttered a little cry] as she recognized Ben Bartell. Blinking owlishly in the light which had been focused upon him, he was a deplorable sight. His face was bruised, his hair matted with blood, and one eye was swollen almost shut.
“Oh, Ben! What have they done to you?” Penny gasped in horror.
Captain Bricker cut the young man free, and pulled the gag from his mouth. He helped Ben into a chair and then went to another cabin for water.
“Who did this to you?” Penny asked, rubbing the reporter’s hands to restore circulation.