But there was no need for force.  Davis had had all the fight taken out of him, for the time being, at least.  He lay upon the floor and was writhing about apparently in great pain and moaning feebly.  It was plain that the hot water had done its work well.

“I give up,” he muttered as Lord Hastings and Frank approached him.

The two leaned down and picked the man up.  Lord Hastings looked him over carefully.

“Why, you’re not hurt,” he said contemptuously.  He turned to Frank.  “That water can’t have been very hot,” he said.

“Just hot enough, I should say,” the lad returned.  “I didn’t want it too hot, sir.  It would have spoiled his looks, and I want him looking fit when he faces a court martial.”

“Very thoughtful of you,” said Lord Hastings dryly.  “I don’t believe he is hurt a bit.  But I guess we had better tie him up before he does any more mischief.”

“Right you are, sir,” replied Jack.  “Got any rope?”

“Yes; you’ll find a good strong piece in the drawer of my desk there.  Get it.”

Frank opened the drawer and produced a long, strong rope; and as he would have turned to Lord Hastings he was startled by a sudden commotion, followed by the sound of a fall.

Davis had sprung suddenly to his feet, upsetting Lord Hastings as he did so, and dashed out the door.  Frank, dashing forward to intercept him, collided with Lord Hastings, who arose at that moment, and the latter went to the floor again, with Frank on top of him.

By the time they had untangled themselves Davis had disappeared aft.

“After him!” shouted Frank, and dashed down the passage.  Lord Hastings followed closely.

Davis made straight for the engine room, why, he could not have told.  The man was greatly excited and hardly knew what he was doing.  As he crossed the threshold, he collided with Simpson, the engineer, and both rolled to the floor.

“I say!  What’s the matter here?” demanded Simpson angrily.  “What are you jumping on me for?”

“I didn’t mean to do it,” replied Davis, sitting up; and then getting to his feet.

“And what are you doing in here, anyhow?” demanded the engineer.  “No one is allowed in this room.”

“I didn’t know where I was going,” responded Davis.

He leaped suddenly forward, and seizing a heavy iron poker, brought it down heavily on Simpson’s head.  The man crumpled up on the floor.  Quickly Davis whirled about and locked the door, even as Lord Hastings and Jack threw their weight against it.  Then Davis laughed aloud.

“Stand back there!” he cried.  “Stand back, or I’ll smash this machinery so none of us will ever reach the surface.”

Frank was for smashing in the door regardless of this threat, but Lord Hastings seized his arm.

“Hold on!” he exclaimed.  “The man is crazy enough to do it.  We shall have to seek some other method of overcoming him.”