"What about a gag?" he asked taking out a handkerchief and considering it speculatively. "We shan't want him kicking up an uproar when his pals arrive." "He'll do as he is," declared Larry. "I want to have a chat with him." He moved into the room and put a hand at Labar's elbow. "Come on, Mr. Inspector. For your own sake you had better not play any tricks. If your men get on to us I assure you that the first man who is put out will be yourself. Get that." "I appreciate the compliment," agreed the inspector. As he was led through the open panel, with Larry and Billy Bungey on each side of him, one of them slid it into place behind. For a second they were in impenetrable blackness. Then someone switched on an electric torch and Labar gathered that he was in a narrow tunnel which widened as they advanced. They had gone a hundred yards or so when they were halted. Labar turned to see a steel door slide across the tunnel. "A little modern addition of my own to an old smugglers tunnel," said Larry. "Nothing short of dynamite will shift that." "I half-suspected that you would have a bolthole," said Labar with the indifferent air of one making conversation. "This is where you stowed your stuff, I suppose. Where does it lead to?" "Shut up," ordered Larry. "You can talk when I ask you to. Let's get along." As near as the detective could estimate they had traversed another quarter of a mile when there was a gleam of light ahead. In a little they had reached a widening of several yards in the tunnel, which formed a sort of room, dimly lit by an oil lamp. Lounging on suitcases and other baggage about this space were several spectral figures whom Labar rightly assumed to be the rest of Larry's party. "You may sit down," said Hughes. "I don't think that the formality of an introduction is necessary to most of these ladies and gentlemen. You know them. They have been waiting your arrival." "You expected me then?" asked Labar in a tone of mild surprise. "We guessed there would be an early arrival this morning, and we hoped that it might be you," said Larry. "We left the outer gates open as a bait in case you came snooping around." Although he was feeling very far from laughter Labar managed to enunciate a convincing chuckle. "Well, you have got me," he said. "I may be very dense, Larry, but I fail to see how that is going to help you. What are you going to do with me?" "There are many things that we might do," said Larry significantly. "Indeed I cannot say what we shall do if you don't behave reasonably. There's an old proverb you know." "'Dead men tell no tales.' That's what you are trying to hint?" "You have a quick mind, my dear Labar. Use it a little farther and guess why we want you." Labar thought for a moment before replying. "That shouldn't be difficult," he said slowly. "You are in a hole and want to know what steps I have taken to dig you out. Suppose I don't tell you."