Through the window slid Hike Griffin, tottering from his exposure, but a very grim look on his face. He dropped fairly on top of the astonished Captain, caught the revolver with his toe, and sent it hurtling to the roof. The General was up instantly, and roared to Captain Welch and Jolls, “Into that corner there, or I’ll fire.” The two plotters backed into a corner, and the General kept them both covered. Three of the guards were covered by the Lieutenant and his soldiers. One was down and out from a soldier’s club-blow. But Snafflin had dropped on his stomach and was wriggling off through the grass. From an outside corner of the cabin, scarcely seen in the dim light from scattered lanterns, he carefully aimed his revolver at the Lieutenant. Just then Bat—one of those covered by the Lieutenant’s men—made a flying leap toward the corner of the house. One of the soldiers fired, and the bullet took Bat in the shoulder. But Bat caught Snafflin’s wrist, and rolled over in the grass, still feebly holding the revolver. As he let it go, Hike darted over and fell upon Snafflin, catching him full in the face with his fist. He got a wrestler’s half-Nelson on Snafflin, and before the thug could recover, Poodle had slipped a pair of handcuffs on him. The General now marched out his two chief plotters, and made a short, sweet speech to all of them: “You gentlemen—I’ll have to let you all go—including your chief rascal, Mr. Jolls. I have no civil warrant for your arrest—didn’t have time to get one. I apologize for the neglect. But I’ll have warrants issued at once. Jolls, I’ll not only have you arrested, but I’ll see that every bit of the news about your plans is given to the Associated Press, and that you are disgraced for life. You, Captain Welch, I place you under arrest. You will come with us. You needn’t be told what will happen to you. There’s one of your thugs who has saved the Lieutenant’s life—I saw the incident through the door.” The General pointed to Bat, and Hike said, “Bat’s his name. He was kind to me when I was tied up—mighty kind. Wanted to let me go. I’d like to see him freed.” The General continued, “Well, the rest of you—except Captain Welch and Bat—you can all lay down your revolvers and get out of that gate. You’d better make the best time you can, for permit me to warn you that I’ll have the best detectives in the country on your trail as soon as warrants are issued.” Four of the five hired thugs, with Jolls at their head, hastily sneaked down the hill, toward the place where Jolls’ automobile had been left. (They were destined to have a cheerful little disappointment for the Lieutenant had found the automobile, while waiting for the signal, and, being in uniform, had been able to send the chauffeur flying off to town, by threatening to arrest him.)