“Are you hurt?” he asked solicitously.
“Not seriously,” answered the old Egyptian. “Somewhat bruised by the rough handling they gave me and shaken up by the experience. Nothing more than that.”
“I am glad to hear that,” was the reply. “This has been a most deplorable occurrence. I assure you that we will make every effort to arrest the rascals and hand them over to the authorities as soon as we reach port. In the meantime, I would deem it a favor if you and these boys—who, by the way, showed mighty good pluck in tackling the thieves—would kindly keep this matter to yourselves. It doesn’t do the ship or the line any good to have a thing of this kind noised about. Then, too, it’s apt to make the other passengers nervous and spoil the pleasure of their journey. Would you mind promising me that?”
“Not the least in the world,” answered Phalos promptly, and Don and Teddy nodded in agreement.
“With the exception of my uncles,” qualified Don. “They’re my guardians and have a right to know anything that happens to me while I’m traveling in their charge. But I can promise that they won’t mention it to any one else.”
“That’s all right,” replied the officer. “Now, Mr. Phalos, is there anything I can do for you? Perhaps you would like to have me send the ship’s doctor in to look you over.”
“Don’t take that trouble, thanks,” replied Phalos. “I was not injured. A good night’s sleep will probably set me up again.”
“Did the thieves get anything?” asked the officer, casting a look around as he prepared to leave.
“Nothing at all, thanks to the courage of those two brave boys.”
“I’ll have a guard set over this room, so that if those fellows should come back he can nab them,” promised the officer. “But I guess they’ll steer clear of it. Probably we’ll have them in custody before morning.”