The old hermit's garb was sadly disarranged, and the flowing white beard and hair were hanging on one side of his head, presenting a ridiculous appearance! "We came as soon as we could, Mr. Lewis," said the inspector. "No need to fret, Mr. Goings, for I have them as safe as a squirrel in a box trap." Little Snap started at the sound of that voice, and then as he looked closer, he cried: "Father! father!" CHAPTER XXXVII. CONCLUSION. He whom the postboy had known simply as Old Solitaire tore off the balance of his disguise, and, rushing to Dix's side, said: Thank God, my son, for this hour. I will tell you all when we get home. But now we must look after our prisoners." "Did you have any trouble in catching them?" asked Mr. Goings. "None after I had overpowered the guard. You will find him on the shelf below. When I had secured him, I slipped the rock down over the mouth, and there they were. They have been doing some tall growling, but they seem quiet now." "How had we better get at them?" "Let all of us get down in front of the place, and when we have moved the stone enough, tell them to come out one by one. The passage isn't wide enough to admit of more than one at a time, and I think they are glad enough to get out by this time." Acting upon this suggestion, in less than half an hour it had been found that the imprisoned men were willing to come forth upon the terms proposed. Then, the inspector and his men standing in readiness to receive the outlaws, they were commanded to appear one at a time. "Attempt to make a rush and we will shoot you down like dogs." The first man to come forth was Bird Burrnock, and he was followed by his sons, Hawk and Buzzard. The appearance of the fourth created a sensation. It was Jason Warfield! "I can explain this," he said, with some of his oldtime independence. "So he can explain," said Mr. Lewis; "but that explanation will send him to State's prison for life." Four other men were captured—all of them belonging to the inhabitants of Blazed Acre. With what talk and wonder the return to Hollow Tree was made my readers may imagine. "I think there will be no more trouble," said Inspector Goings, "though I can claim small share in the honor of the victory." During the ride to Daring's Diamond, where the prisoners were to be left for safe keeping, the wonderful surprises of the recent developments of affairs were talked over and discussed. The following facts were then learned by those who had not dreamed of them before, though I cannot do better than to let Mr. Lewis tell them in his own words: "You wonder, my son, more than the others, perhaps, my reason for being in this disguise. To explain it I must go back to the days when I lived in Boone Lick, and you were nothing more than a prattling babe.