“Pick up their guns, Bob,” commanded his uncle and Bob picked up the machine gun and the revolver Hamsa had dropped. “Search them!” This time the sheriff stepped forward and with hands long experienced in that kind of work, searched even the hats of the others. A gun was taken from the flyer and a stubby but deadly pistol from Rap. These were placed on the table beside the glittering pile of diamonds. “Got any handcuffs, sheriff?” asked Bob’s uncle after the young federal agent introduced his ally. Two small, compact pairs were produced from the capacious pockets of the peace officer. One pair was snapped on Hamsa and the other on Curt and Rap. While Bob and his uncle went about the task of giving first aid to Rap and Hamsa, the sheriff went down to the old wharf to inspect the boats. When he returned, the bandaging was done, for neither wound was serious. “We can start any time you want to,” he informed the federal men. “Take these fellows down. We’ll be along shortly,” replied Merritt Hughes, and when Hamsa and his allies had been led away by the sheriff, he sat down on one side of the table and motioned for Bob to take a seat opposite him. “Let’s hear your side of the story, Bob,” said his uncle as he sat down, massaging the red marks which the tightly tied ropes had made on his hands. Chapter XXXVI UNTANGLING THE WEB ★ It was a strange setting, the rays from the kerosene lamp on the table throwing a soft glow over the diamonds which were still heaped on the black velvet. Bob was anxious to tell his own story, but first he wanted to know about his uncle. “Sure you’re all right?” he asked. “Oh, my arms and legs are still a little numb and I can’t talk any too well, but I’m coming around fast now.” Bob launched into a detailed explanation of all of the events which had taken place since the disappearance of his uncle in Jacksonville. “Luckiest thing that ever happened to me was when I ran into the sheriff,” he said. “No doubt about it,” agreed his uncle. Then he went on, “The men we captured tonight are the brains of the gang. From what Hamsa said after he got here this afternoon I gathered that two more members of the gang were picked up by you and Condon Adams last night.” “That’s right,” said Bob. “But I can’t figure out how Hamsa got down here so soon and I thought he’d never get out of the river he fell into on the way down from Washington.” “Hamsa is a tough customer,” said Merritt Hughes. “He has a tremendous physique and was able to swim to shore. Then he chartered a private plane and came south.” “They’ve been running in the diamonds by plane all the time,” said Bob.