“Not a thing,” was the disappointed reply. “We haven’t found hide or hair of them. They seem to have vanished into thin air. But I’m having a quiet hunt going on for them, and sooner or later we’ll get our hands on them. They must be somewhere on the ship.”
“Unless they jumped overboard,” suggested Don.
The officer laughed.
“Not a chance,” he replied. “Rascals like that think too much of their precious skins. We’ll catch them some time skulking around the ship. For the present, they’ve probably slipped down a hatchway into a hold. There are plenty of hiding places there, and for a time they may elude us. But not for long.”
Phalos had not appeared at the breakfast table, but had been served in his room. About the middle of the forenoon, however, he made his appearance, and, catching sight of Don and his party, came up to them with a smile.
“I was too agitated last night to thank you properly,” he said, addressing himself to Don and Teddy. “But I want to do it now. In my confusion, I didn’t even learn your names.”
“This is my friend, Teddy Allison,” said Don, indicating his comrade. “These are my uncles, Professor Bruce and Captain Sturdy. My own name is Don Sturdy.”
“Sturdy!” exclaimed the Egyptian, as he acknowledged the introductions. “I had a very dear friend of that name once, a Mr. Richard Sturdy. Is he, by any chance, related to you?”
“Related!” cried Don, as an electric shock seemed to pass through him. “He’s my father! Oh, tell me, what do you know about him?”
Phalos looked at him, a little surprised at his vehemence.