With a shout that might have done credit to some ancient cave-dweller of the stone age, Koku spread out his mighty arms, and held apart the two men he had grasped. In vain they struggled to free themselves from that terrible grip. Their faces turned purple, and their eyes bulged out.
"He's choking them to death!" shouted Ned.
But Koku was not needlessly cruel.
A moment later, with a quick and sudden motion he bent his arms, bringing toward each other the two men he held as captives. Their heads came together with a dull thud, and a second later Koku allowed two limp bodies to slip from his grip to the floor.
"He's done for them!" Tom cried. "Knocked them unconscious. Good for you, Koku!"
The giant grunted, and then, with a quick motion, slung himself around, hoping to bring the enemies at his back within reach of his powerful arms. But there was no need of this.
As soon as the other two ruffians had seen their companions fall to the floor of the shop they turned and fled, leaping from an open window.
"There they go!" cried Ned.
"Some of the other men can chase them," said the young inventor. "We'll tie up the two Koku has captured."
As he approached nearer to the unconscious captives Tom uttered a cry of surprise, for he recognized them as two of the new men he had employed.