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The House on the Cliff · Chapter

The Roundup explained

The Hardy boys and the police capture the remaining smugglers, including Snackley and Redhead Blount, and then pursue Li Chang's ship, resulting in the complete dismantling of the smuggling ring.

What happens

The Hardy boys and the police capture the remaining smugglers, including Snackley and Redhead Blount, and then pursue Li Chang's ship, resulting in the complete dismantling of the smuggling ring.

Themes in this chapter

  • Courage and Perseverance

    Frank and Joe Hardy demonstrate bravery and determination in the face of danger, fighting smugglers and leading the pursuit.

  • Justice and Reward

    The complete roundup and arrest of the smuggling gang, including Snackley and Li Chang, delivers justice and ends the criminal enterprise.

  • Good vs. Evil

    The Hardy boys and law enforcement represent good, triumphing over the evil smuggling ring led by Snackley and Li Chang.

Characters to notice

  • Frank Hardy

    Fights desperately with a smuggler in the living room.

  • Joe Hardy

    Leads officers through the trapdoor and underground passages, and helps coordinate the capture of escaping smugglers.

  • Tony Prito

    Arrives by motorboat with police, having captured the smugglers attempting to escape by boat.

  • Snackley

    Captured by Fenton Hardy in the cellar.

  • Redhead Blount

    Tackled and held down by Frank Hardy until police arrive.

  • Li Chang

    Captured aboard his ship without incident after the gang's roundup.

Key passages

  • The Hardy boys, in the meantime, were in the thick of the struggle. Frank fought desperately with the smuggler he had assailed in the living room of the house, while Joe raced across the yard toward the trapdoor leading to the underground caves.

    Frank and Joe were deeply involved in the fight, with Frank grappling a smuggler in the living room and Joe running to the trapdoor that led to the caves.

    Highlights the boys' active roles in the raid.

  • The roundup was complete. Snackley’s smuggling gang had been completely broken up.

    The operation was a total success, and Snackley's smuggling ring was entirely dismantled.

    Concludes the chapter with the gang's defeat.