ng place was a coil of rope, and it was evident that
it had been the intention of the men to overcome Koku and truss him up,
so that he would not interfere with what they intended to do. But Koku
was a match for even the four men, powerful as they were.

"We're here, Koku!" cried Tom. "Watch for an opening, Ned!" he called
to his chum.

The sound of Tom's voice disconcerted at least two of the attackers,
for they looked around quickly, and this was fatal to their chances.

Though such a big man, Koku was exceptionally quick, and no sooner did
he see his advantage, as two of the men turned their gaze away from
him, than he seized it.

Suddenly tearing loose his hands from the grip of the two men who had
looked around, Koku shot out his right and left fists, and secured good
hold on the necks of two of his enemies. The other two, at his back,
were endeavoring to pull him over, but the giant's sturdy legs still
held.

So big was Koku's hands that they almost encircled the necks of his
antagonists. Then happened a curious thing.

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.

"What can this mean?" he asked wonderingly.

He glanced toward the window through which th