“In a fashion. But they didn’t live here,” the agent informed him. “Actually they lived at the hotel, but they used this house from which to carry on their operations. Let’s go, shall we?”
They returned to their car and drove back to police headquarters. There they found that the prisoners had been brought in and put in jail; not one of the detectives had been hurt. The chief greeted them and shook Mr. Grey’s hand. “Great work,” he said, “great work. Did you get Moonshine Charlie?”
The government agent shook his head sadly and replied, “No, I’m sorry to say I didn’t.” He turned to Jack for confirmation. “You see,” he continued, “he got away. We were just about to grab him when phizz, up he goes and jumps into the lake.”
“Jumps into the lake!” exclaimed the chief.
“Yes,” was the answer. “You see, he was going so fast, he couldn’t stop himself.”
“He fell in, car and all,” added Jack.
Chief Bates heaved a sigh of relief. “Whew! For a moment you had me thinking that he actually got away.”
“Well, he did,” insisted Mr. Grey. “He got away so cleanly, no one will ever catch him again.”
The chief and the detectives laughed. Catching sight of Jack, the chief pulled him forward and shook him by the hand. “I already heard of what you did, fellow,” he said. “That was very bravely done.”
“As I was telling him just before,” commented Mr. Grey, “I don’t know what we would have done without him and his friends. They did more to capture the gang than all of us put together.”