The trio would trudge the best way they could through the snow to a distant railway station. Blood was to remain in the asylum with Scraggs. “I can hide you where nobody will ever find you,” said the proprietor of the asylum. “So have no fears.” Old King Brady listened to all this with some misgiving. Would his men slip him after all? CHAPTER XIII. BAFFLED AGAIN. The trio went on with their preparations to leave the asylum. Old King Brady was powerless to prevent it. Moreover, he had all he could do now to keep out of sight and assure his own safety. It was long past midnight. What had become of Harry? It seemed full time for him to return. Yet he did not come. Old King Brady knew that it would require some time to arouse the neighbors and organize a relief band. But yet, it would seem that this had already ought to have been accomplished. Old King Brady grew nervous. He was half tempted to essay the conflict single handed. But he knew that it could only result in failure. So he tried to remain patient and hopeful. The trio were now all ready to leave the asylum. Yet Harry did not return. A fear came to the old detective that some mishap might have overtaken the young detective. The three crooks now took their leave. Old King Brady felt the hands of his watch. It was two o’clock. He heard the crooks leave by way of the big front door. He did not dare to follow them. But he was consoled with one reflection. It might not be difficult to overtake them when Harry should arrive, for the trio had no snowshoes and must leave a plain trail. So the old detective was patient. It was half-past three before the long-looked-for summons came. The dogs were confined, so they gave no warning. But there came a loud knock on the door. Scraggs, who had retired to sleep, scrambled out of bed and thrust his head out of a window. “Who is it?” he asked. “And what do you want?” “It’s yer neighbor,” said the voice of Paine, the farmer. “Come down, Scraggs, we want to see ye!” “What do you want?” demanded the asylum keeper. “You’ll find out when you git down hyar.” “Well, I’m not to be aroused from my bed at this hour of the night,” replied Scraggs, angrily. “If you want to see me, come around in the daytime.” “We want to see ye now,” insisted Paine. “Well, you won’t see me!” replied Scraggs, hotly. “Get off my premises or I’ll fire on you!” “No, ye won’t!” gritted the angry farmer. “Ye’ve run your rig hyar, Scraggs. We air goin’ to run you out of this kentry. If ye don’t come down we’ll come up after ye!” “Curse you! What does this mean?” “Come down!” Scraggs closed the window and then went down to the door. He met John Paine backed by a score of armed men. These pushed by Scraggs and entered the asylum. They instantly took possession of the place. Harry Brady was foremost and gave directions what to do. Scraggs was stunned.