When the two gentlemen read of Philippe's plan to capture Tom at the cave, they immediately told the police. Soon the big touring car with the two gentlemen and two policemen was on its way to the cave.
"This is the place," cried one of the officers.
The car stopped. The four men jumped out. With their guns drawn, they entered the cave.
They heard Tom laughing and saying, "Now, after I have beaten you, perhaps you will not try any more tricks. We shall leave for other lands, where you cannot escape so easily. We shall go to France and England and then——"
Suddenly Tom stopped speaking. His jaw dropped open. The stick fell from his hands. He saw a sight that made him turn pale. For two gentlemen and two policemen stood in the door of the cave. Each policeman was pointing a pistol at Tom!
Then the Englishman and the American walked over to them.
"The plans for your trip sound very interesting," said the Englishman in French to Tom. "But I am afraid we must spoil them. There is another trip which we have planned for you, instead."
The American looked very thoughtful.
"How in the world do you say 'prison' in French?" he asked.