Old King Brady, he shouted in
ferocious tones:

"There stands the man. Arrest him!"

Old King Brady was astonished to hear this, and bristling up with just
indignation, he demanded:

"Of what does this man accuse me?"

"Interfering with an officer in the discharge of his duty."

Instantly comprehending Gibson's game, the old detective burst out
laughing, and finally asked:

"How did I interfere with him?"

"He was arresting yonder man, he says."

"Lock him up, officer!" shouted the inspector. "Lock him up!"

The policeman took a firmer grip on his club and made a rush at Old King
Brady, whom he grasped by the collar.

"You're my prisoner!" he exclaimed. "If you resist, I'll club you!"

While this was going on, Gibson grabbed La Croix and dragged him over to
the door, exclaiming:

"You come with me!"

He designed to arrest the man and get the credit for it, while Old King
Brady was fighting with the policeman.

But his plot was doomed to dismal failure.

Old King Brady flung back the lapel of his vest, and exclaimed:

"Do you know I'm Old King Brady, the Secret Service detective?"

"What!" gasped the policeman, glaring at his badge.

"If you don't believe it, you can come to the station when I pull in my
prisoner. That fellow is a Custom House inspector all right, but he's
sailing under false colors. We were both after the same man, as I am
working for the Custom House. I caught the man, and now he wants to take
the glory of the capture. See through his game?"

The policeman did.

He released the detective.

Then he made a rush at the spiteful inspector, and poking and jabbing him
with his club, he put Gibson out of the hotel.

The inspector finding himself baffled, departed in a fury for the whole
crowd was laughing and jeering at him, and one of the spectators threatened
to report his meanness to the Collector.

Old King Brady now seized La Croix.

Accompanied by the policeman he went to the Church street station and there
met Harry, who had just brought in Clara.

The prisoners were put in cells and the Bradys departed.

Going straight to the Custom House, they were ushered into the Collector's
room and gave him the details of their work from start to finish.

When Harry handed over the seized diamonds he was delighted, and praised
the pair in the most glowing terms for their efficient work.

He declared that they had broken up the most dangerous gang of smugglers
who ever infested