“Right you are!” exclaimed Don. “We’ll report the matter to the captain and have the rascals arrested. Come right along. You take one arm, Brick, and I’ll steady him on the other side.”
They helped the old Egyptian to his feet. Just then they heard the grating of a key in the lock.
“It’s Tezra and Nepahak!” exclaimed the Egyptian, in an agitated whisper. “They’re coming back.”
Don’s eyes darted about the room and fell on the curtains shielding the bed.
“Sit there,” he commanded, thrusting Phalos back in his chair. “Come, Brick.”
In a flash the two boys were behind the curtains.
The stateroom door opened, and Tezra and Nepahak entered, the latter carrying several objects that by their faint clinking seemed to be steel tools or implements of some kind.
Phalos had settled back in his chair, and in the gathering darkness seemed to be in the same condition as the rascals had left him.
Nepahak stepped over to the electric switch, but his accomplice halted him sharply.
“Don’t turn on that light, you fool,” he snarled. “This flashlight of mine will give us all the light we need.”