Jack Benson stood it as long as he could, then at last let out a yell that was dragged from the depths of agony.
"I'm in time, it seems! Stop that! Now, turn and fight like a man—you contemptible hound!"
It was Hal Hastings's voice that rang through the little cave. Hal had just crawled in through the tunnel. Now, the young engineer, his frame shaking with indignation, stood up at nearly his full length, prepared to spring upon Gaston, who, also, had leaped to his feet.
"I thought it would be worth while to watch and shadow you to-night," jeered Hal, angrily. "It turns out I was right. The bushes planted before the mouth of the tunnel bothered me, a while, in finding the way in here after you—but now I'm here!"
Of a sudden Hal leaped forward, intent upon pouncing on the chauffeur. But Hal's foot caught in a break in the flooring. He pitched and fell forward.
With a snarl of glee Gaston burled himself upon the prostrate body of the second submarine boy, pounding him furiously.
CHAPTER XIII
THE FELLOW WHO SHOWED THE WHITE FLAG
Hal lay face down, and subjected to all the brutal fury of the
Frenchman's assault.
For a few seconds young Hastings did all in his power to fight back. He was rapidly losing consciousness, however, and poor Jack lay unable to lend as much as a finger's weight to the defense of his chum.