Stubbs stepped backward quickly.
"Don't you come any closer," he gasped. "Let me alone."
"Had us tied up, didn't you, Stubbs?" demanded Chester.
"Yes; but it was for your own good!" Stubbs had regained his wind now.
"For our own good, eh? Well, we have come after you for your own good."
"What have you got to say for yourself, Stubbs?" demanded Hal.
"Nothing," snapped the little man angrily, "except that I want to be let alone. You hoodwinked the general, all right, but you can't hoodwink me. Now go on away from here."
Again Chester stepped forward, and this time the lad was treated to an unpleasant surprise. Instead of moving backward, Stubbs suddenly lowered his head and charged Chester.
Taken by surprise, the lad was unable to get out of the way and the top of Stubbs' head rammed him squarely in the stomach. Chester doubled up and fell to the ground with a cry of pain.
Stubbs turned and started to run; but before he had taken half a dozen steps, Hal had reached him and taken him by the arm. In vain the little man struggled to shake off the lad's grasp.