"Now tie him tight," said His Terics.
"We'll do that," answered Big Gillie, and in a jiffy they had tied, not Billy at all, but His Terics and Her Terics, though they still held Billy.
"Oh! you Gillies," cried His Terics, "can't you see you've tied up the wrong persons?"
"How strange!" said the Gillies, letting go of Billy in their surprise.
"Now is my chance," thought Billy, and stepped away to get room for his jump.
"Safe," he had just said to himself, when he found himself caught by his collar.
"Not yet, my fine fellow," said a voice. "Haha, so it is you," said Nickel Plate, tapping his boots with the limber cane he carried.
"Nickel Plate," cried Billy.
"Nickel Plate," cried the Aztec Fragments and the Gillies.
"Foiled—foiled again," he hissed between his teeth; "then you recognize me—tell—a—me—do you?"