The thought of retreating back along the tunnel and allowing Tom and his confederates to follow up he had dismissed at the moment it had arisen. These ruffians would have a point of vantage as soon as the tunnel opened out and might conceivably do much damage if they then determined to resist arrest. He was not going to abandon the strength of his position. It was no occasion for scruples, although he felt that the fears of the trapped men might have some foundation. The knot was cut at the sound of a deep voice echoing from the trap-door. "Heigh! You down below there!" "That's Whitehead," said Moreland, naming one of his sergeants. He raised his voice to a shout. "It's all right, Whitehead. This is Moreland. Stand by and your friends will come up like little gentlemen." "Right you are, sir," agreed the sergeant. "We'll be waiting." "Now then. Out you go," said Labar, and slowly the men backed with the two inspectors and their aides following them closely. As Labar and Moreland pulled themselves out of the tunnel they were confronted by a bunch of plain-clothes men and uniformed police with three dejected prisoners in their midst. The Chief Constable who had gone from "Mope's Bottom" with the Flying Squad men was mopping his brow with a silk handkerchief. "You were right," he greeted Labar. "We were just in time for a bit of a scrap." "What happened?" asked Labar. "Some of our people found these men"--he jerked his head towards the prisoners--"skulking in a dyke. They were challenged and opened fire. A running fight took place for a while, and we were just in time to take a hand in the last part of it before they went to ground." "Might as well find out what they know," whispered Moreland, and Labar nodded. Moreland gave an order to one of his men and Tom was detached from his companions and brought forward well out of earshot. The Yard men knew better than to question the three together. "You're the man who posed as Larry's valet?" said Labar. "I was Mr. Hughes' body servant, sir," corrected Tom, mildly. "Where is he now?" The valet shook his head. "I know no more than you do, sir. He has vanished." "So it seems. He's put you in the cart, anyway--you and your pals. What are you going to do about it? He's doubled-crossed you. I suppose you realise that?" Tom shook his head stolidly. "I don't know that, sir. In these emergencies accidents are likely to happen beyond one's control. I should say that Mr. Hughes has found it impossible to communicate with us. I remember that you suggested something of the sort down below. You will forgive me if I take the liberty of suggesting that you are mistaken." "You play the part well," said Labar, with a half-sneer. "I suppose that it's got into your blood. But I warn you. You can't play with us. Larry Hughes has let you down. You may save yourself trouble if you talk plain English. Give us the whole truth." "I am quite willing to tell you as much as I know," said the valet.