But Truem had seen the move, and he knocked up the smuggler's arm. The bullet whistled harmlessly against the ceiling of the passageway. Then the smuggler found that he had tackled more than he could handle, for both boys leaped on him, threw him quickly to the floor, and choked him into complete submission.
"I surrender," he cried faintly, as Chot's grip tightened on his throat.
"You told us that before, then tried treachery," said Truem. "Don't let go of him, Chot."
But such an appealing look came into the man's eyes that Chot, after taking his revolver, and feeling in his pockets for other weapons, released him and jumped to his feet.
The smuggler was dazed. His head had struck the stone floor with no gentle force, and he gasped slightly as he drew his lungs full of air.
"You've got me, all right," he said. "There ain't no more fight in me."
"In the same fix, I guess. I was the last man through the trap, and just as I was about half way up, some feller switched on the lights and covered my three pals. Then I dropped back. I didn't know there was anyone on this end."
"The boys must have captured the other men," said Truem.
"Suppose you go to the trap and call while I watch our friend here," said Chot.
Truem nodded and sprang instantly away. He had no difficulty in finding the stairs leading above, and ascending part way, he called:
"It's Truem. Have you got the smugglers?"
"Well, Chot and I have the other man. There were only four."
"I knew you were lying to me," Truem heard Tom say to one of the men above. Then he called down to Truem:
"You fellows can bring your prisoner up through the trap."
"All right," shouted Truem; "we'll be there in just a minute."
He communicated Tom's request to Chot, and the latter marched his prisoner into the chamber. Then Truem pushed the trap-door open, and in this way the boys ascended into the basement of the lodge, revolvers ready for any emergency.
But they saw that their chums had indeed been successful in their capture of the other smugglers, Fleet having completely disarmed the men while Tom and Pod covered them. The smugglers were now huddled together in one corner, and the man brought up by Chot and Truem was placed among them.
"I s'pose that's your pal that we've got on the other island?" said the leader of the smugglers.