"Oh, you—" Jack shot out, hoarsely, he felt himself borne under by crushing weight.
"Go easy, messmate, and you'll sleep more peaceful to-night!" chuckled one of the sailors, holding a big hand over the submarine boy's mouth, while another unseen assailant pinned Jack's hands at the wrists.
Flare! A sudden glow of light illumined the dark hallway. Then more light.
"Jerusby!" howled one of the sailor pair, leaping to his feet.
Instantly there was consternation among all the assailants.
In the excitement, young Benson was forgotten. Freed from assault, he leaped to his feet.
The flare of light had come from two bull's-eye police lanterns, held in the open doorway below.
"There are the scoundrels, men! Grab them!" shouted a voice of authority.
The speaker and two other men were in police uniforms. Four other men there were in ordinary civilian garb.
In the excitement Jack Benson let his fist fly, knocking one of the sailors headlong down the stairs. But the submarine boy did not pause there. His other fist, landed on the second sailor, sending him after the first.