They were both tall and muscular, and had the advantage of the surprise. Don knocked the flashlight from Tezra’s hand, and lashed out at him with both fists. The blows staggered the Egyptian, and his confusion was increased by tripping over the leg of Phalos, who was rising from his seat to take part in the fracas.
Tezra went down full length on the floor, with Don on top of him. Teddy had grappled with Nepahak and dragged him from the door.
The sound of voices and of hurrying feet outside indicated that the uproar had been heard. The imminence of capture made the rascals frantic, and with a desperate effort they freed themselves from their opponents, tore open the door, and vanished.
A moment later several of the crew with one of the officers came into the room. One of the men turned on the electric light, and the party looked with exclamations of astonishment at the disordered room and the panting and disheveled boys.
“What’s going on here?” asked the officer sharply.
Phalos stepped forward.
“Two men tried to rob me,” he explained. “They had bound and gagged me. These boys learned of my plight and came to my help.”
“Who were the men that tried to rob you and where are they?” asked the officer.
“They pulled away and ran out of the door just before you got here,” was the reply. “Their names are Tezra and Nepahak. You will find their names on the passenger list of the boat.”
The officer gave some hurried commands to his men and they went out. Then he turned to Phalos.