he most complete
manner. There was no way out of the hole for them. Bad as they were,
they knew they were not a match for the five individuals who faced them.
The three men who had entered the room last were Jim terrors right on
their looks, and their easy, offhand manner froze the blood in the veins
of the conspirators. Girard attempted to face the matter by a display of
nerve, but his attempt was pitiful in view of the situation as it at the
moment confronted him.

The lackey meantime gave signs of terror. He was a swordsman, but
realized that all his skill would go for naught, seeing that the game
was exposed. Indeed, a most remarkable tableau was presented, but Girard
tried to play out to save his _confreres_. He said:

"Well, well, Dunne, I expected to work a big scare on you, but I see you
have been too smart. The next time I attempt a practical joke I will
measure my intended victim better."

"Ah, you will?"

"Yes."

"Then this was all a joke?"

"Certainly; but you have proved yourself the best joker."

"You think so?"

"Yes, I am dead beat."

"And as you say it was all a joke."

"Certainly, you know it was."

"And what license had you to attempt to play such a broad joke on me?"

"Joking is my delight."

"Is it?"

"Always."

"Good enough; you tried your joke, I will now try mine. I'll teach you
to pick up a stranger in the street to make him the victim of your joke.
Oh, yes, we will call it a joke, a good joke, but the joke is not played
out yet. You have had your fun. I must have mine, and here goes!" Oscar
whipped out a club. He leaped forward and down went Girard, and the
other detectives also got in and there was a very lively time in that
upper room for about three minutes. The thieves did not dare offer any
resistance. They took their medicine and yet they were all brave men.
They were only too glad under all the circumstances to get off with a
good sound clubbing, and they got it. Then Oscar and his forces drew
off, leaving the men to think over their discomfiture at their leisure.
We say the officers withdrew. They did, all but Oscar. He thought to
take a little advantage of his success, and dodged into a room adjoining
the one where the remarkable scene we have described occurred. He knew
the men were all well done up and would not in their bewilderment be
prepared for the latest trick of the detective. Our hero's friends
descended the stairs, making a great noise, and they kept add