He bade Phalos and the boys good-night and went out, closing the door behind him.
“I guess we’d better be going too, Mr. Phalos,” said Don. “That is, if there’s nothing more we can do for you.”
“I think you’ve done quite enough for me for one night,” replied Phalos, with a grateful smile. “I can never thank you enough. You may have saved my life. At any rate you’ve preserved me from physical pain and permitted me to retain in my own keeping something that is very precious to me. I shall see you again in the morning and will express my thanks, I hope, a little more adequately.”
“We’re only too glad to have been of service,” answered Don. “Good-night,” and with a last word of thanks echoing in their ears, he and Teddy went out on the deck.
“Gee!” said Teddy, as he drew a long breath, “I feel like something that the cat dragged in, and I guess I look it too.”
“Same here,” laughed Don, as he took in the torn collars and rumpled clothes of himself and his friend. “It was some little fight those rascals put up. I only hope they’re nabbed by this time. But say, Brick, how about that little hunch of mine?” and he gave his comrade a playful poke in the ribs.
“You win,” agreed Teddy. “Your hunches are there with the goods, all right. But let’s get to our cabin and wash up and slip into some other clothes.”
As they were opening the door of their stateroom, they met captain Sturdy and Professor Bruce.
“Oh, there you are,” said the captain. “We were wondering what had become of you. But what has happened?” he asked quickly, as he noticed the state of the boys’ garments.
“Oh, we’ve had a little scrimmage,” replied Don, and went on to narrate the exciting happenings of the last half hour.