Another factor that made the Siamese Knot so diabolical was that any of them could move. It was possible for Batman to move his right leg. Robin could easily have bent his left knee. Batgirl was the most restricted, but even she would have been able to wiggle. The essence of this torture was that none of them risked moving, not in the slightest, because of the effect such an act would have on the rest of the Human Knot. They were being dared to torture each other -- to commit slow suicide.

Nora grinned widely, supremely satisfied with Batman’s comment. She congratulated herself, ‘I, Nora Clavicle, and not any of those male so-called super-villains, have subjected Batman to what he admits is “torture, at its most bizarre and terrible!”’

There was silence, as Batgirl and Robin digested Batman’s statement. Upon Batman’s mention of the word “torture,” Batgirl opened her eyes wide as her expression changed to a anguished frown. She also felt a bit ashamed. ‘If I hadn’t let myself be grabbled by Clavicle, we wouldn’t be in this mess!’

In all their adventures together, in all the traps they had experienced, Robin had never heard his mentor use the word “torture.” Now he had.

As Nora viewed the Trio’s discomfiture, a flicker of doubt suddenly crossed her mind. “Wait a minute,” she said aloud, as much to herself as to anyone else. ‘Batman risked talking?’ she thought. Then she said, “Something doesn’t look right . . .”

She went over to her purse, which was lying on a green box of knitting needles near the entrance she and her minions had used to the warehouse. Inside was the well-worn copy of Torture of the Body with Just Mankind she had stolen so long ago. Nora took out the book, putting her needle back in the purse. A legal-looking document was serving as a bookmark. Carefully, she consulted the text.

A couple of minutes later she exclaimed, “Oh, pshaw!” She put the book back in her purse, but kept the bookmark and walked back to the knotted trio and her two assistants.

Handing the document to Evelina, she cried, “Angelina! You didn’t tie Batman properly!”

“Sorry, boss” she answered sheepishly.

“Here,” ordered Nora, aggravated, “help me do it right.”

First Nora pulled Batman’s right leg back past his right arm and then pointed the leg straight into the air. She handed it to Angelina to hold while she proceeded to raise Batgirl’s left leg up against the bottom of Robin’s right arm. She then placed Batgirl's left ankle on Robin's left shoulder, leaving Batgirl at a particularly uncomfortable angle. Batgirl’s left foot was now as high as her head.

“No, no . . . You . . . can’t!” Batgirl squealed, as her body was twisted and bent at angles far beyond its design specifications.

Ignoring Batgirl’s pleas, Nora threaded Batman’s right leg between Batgirl's legs, then made Batman’s right ankle and foot press against the small of Robin's back, behind his yellow cape.

Batgirl was humiliated at this violation of her personal space. Batman’s muscular right leg was jammed between Batgirl’s legs and up against her crotch.

Next Nora slid Batman’s left arm off of Batgirl’s left shoulder and positioned it down Batgirl's back, then against the side of Batgirl's left breast and the left side of Batgirl's abs and hip. Nora next ran the arm over Batgirl's left thigh, then under his own right leg to join with Robin's left hand underneath Batgirl's right leg, below Batman's and Batgirl's right knees. With his left hand still securely bound to Robin’s during all this, Batman felt as if his arm might pop out of its socket.

The knot was now significantly tighter. Robin was caught viselike between Batgirl's lower right leg and Batman's leg, ankle and foot. In addition, Batgirl's left ankle now pushed against her left wrist, adding to the pressure around Robin's neck. At the same time, Batgirl's throat was being forced into Robin's right forearm, as Batgirl's torso was being pulled forward by the tug on each of her arms and pushed forward by the pressure of Batman's arm across her back and of Robin's and Batman's legs on her backside.

“Angelina, as punishment for your error, you go get the truck. Evelina and I will stay here awhile and enjoy our handiwork!”

“Yes, boss,” the Amazon replied sullenly as she left.

Batman contemplated the horrific fate before them -- if they could not get free. Even if they managed to avoid strangling each other, ultimately they faced death by dehydration.

Long before that, though, their bodies would generate localized protective reactions to the irritation caused by being stuck in the same position for a long period of time. These reactions would manifest as inflamation, characterized by redness and swelling, which would be very painful . . . and the pain would increase over time. Infection might also develop.

Even worse, they would be threatened with DVT, deep vein thrombosis, which could be caused by a blood clot developing in one of their deep veins, most likely in a leg. The clot might then break away, travel through the bloodstream and lodge in a vital organ, resulting in severe injury or death.

Passengers on long-distance flights were at risk of DVT. Prolonged physical immobility was considered in the medical community to be a risk factor associated with DVT. The Terrific Trio faced an ordeal many times longer in duration than the longest of flights.

In addition, Batman hated the thought of Batgirl being subjected to what he had learned was called the “Traitor’s Position.” He realized, though, that not only was there nothing he could do about it, but, if they were to survive, either she or Robin would have to be in that crucial position.

Batman knew that involuntary cramps in the legs of the person in the Traitor’s Position were a pre-requisite for the Basic Formula for escaping from the Siamese Human Knot. It was fortunate that Clavicle had not put Batman in that position. As their torture progressed, the Caped Crusader was not sure that even he would have been able to resist the temptation to try to summon the cramps by shifting his legs. If he had failed to curb such tendencies, he likely would have sentenced them all to death.

Batman now knew their only hope lay in Batgirl experiencing . . . and admitting! . . . terrible cramps in her legs. In the meantime, Batman decided to run the risk of further conversation. He had to take the opportunity to try to learn about Miss Clavicle’s plans by appealing to her conceit and, as he had so often done in the past, the tendency of flamboyant criminals to brag.

“I understand your desire to checkmate us, Miss Clavicle . . .”

At first Nora was bemused by Batman’s use of the term checkmate. ‘How appropriate,’ she thought, ‘because they can no longer move!’ Quickly, though, her enjoyment turned to surprise.

Nora remained deadpan as she corrected the Caped Crusader for the second time, “Commissioner Clavicle, Batman.” She raised her eyebrows. This time she was sure the Knot was tied correctly. She realized Batman was willing to run the risk of speaking to attempt to learn the details of her scheme. Well, she didn’t mind telling him. ‘It’s not like he’ll be able to do anything to stop me,’ she thought. In fact, the concept appealed to her. ‘Learning what’s going to happen to their beloved Gotham City will only add to their anguish . . . and perhaps tempt them into making a mortal move!’

Meanwhile, despite the pain she was experiencing and what Batman had said, Batgirl still was finding it hard to take their predicament seriously. ‘Sure, we’re pretty tangled up, but Batman and Robin have talked . . . and my left leg is basically just laying on Robin’s shoulder!’

Only half listening to what Batman and Nora were saying, Batgirl experimentally stretched her left leg, ever so slightly. Horror registered on her face as she felt the perverse knot perceptibly tighten against her throat! Not only that, but the pretty, young, crimefightress realized both her arms had cinched tighter the instant she moved!! She also detected an increase in pressure around her right leg and across her groin and back.

Batman knew, Robin believed and Batgirl had found out -- Clavicle spoke the truth! The slightest move did draw the knot tighter!

Batgirl’s eyes and mouth closed as she steeled herself against the agony she was now experiencing. Both opened as she first looked at Batman and then to Nora as she listened raptly to the Caped Crusader. "But I strongly suspect there's more to your scheme than just . . . tying us in a Siamese Human Knot."

Evelina glanced at her mistress. Nora nodded condescendingly at Batman and smiled. "Very observant, Batman . . .and you're right. There is more. Much more. As soon as night falls, I'm planning to,” Nora then played her trump card, “destroy all of Gotham City!"

This revelation moved Batgirl to speak. She asked in disbelief, “All of Gotham City?”

“Why?” Robin croaked in a pitiful moan.

Nora held her right hand out in front of Evelina. Her buxom compatriot, without removing her gaze from the spectacle of their three hapless victims, laid the legal-looking document in Nora’s palm.

Clavicle began to unfold the document and held it in front of her. With a lilt of her head, she asked, "Do you know what this document is, Batman?"

"If I dared move my head, I might recognize it, but I daren't."

"It's an insurance policy on Gotham City."

“Holy Underwritten Metropolis!” Robin declared in disgust.

"Exactly, Boy Bow-Knot.” Nora’s eyes flashed. “I've insured Gotham City for ten million dollars and,” Nora waved her left index finger at the Terrifically Knotted Trio, “what do you think it cost me?" she smugly asked.

"Two hundred dollars, perhaps?" Batman guessed.

Batgirl was shocked. “Two hundred dollars! for a ten million dollar policy?” she asked incredulously.

Robin’s mouth had been hanging slightly open. Now, he dared to close it.

Evelina stood by silently as her mistress revealed their plans. She felt it was a great privilege to be allowed to be present at Clavicle’s moment of triumph.

"Yes, Batgirl,” Batman explained, “because the risk is so low. The chances of destroying an entire city are infinitesimal." It all made sense to Batman now. That why Nora had to have herself made a city official. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have had an insurable interest in the fate of Gotham City!

“Right again, Batman.” Nora mocked, jabbing her left hand at Batman. “But Gotham City will be destroyed.” She put her hand to her chest. “I'll collect the ten million . . . and there won't be any witnesses around to make trouble.”

Batgirl tried to look at Nora as their torturess spoke. “Oh, you’ll find it completely impossible to ever get out of that Human Knot.” Batman flinched. Robin remained expressionless.

“But it will all be over . . . soon.

“Come on, Evelina. Angelina should be outside with the truck by now.” Nora turned to go, but then stopped. A wide grin broke across her face. Batgirl, the only one who could see Nora’s face, looked up at the mad villainess who was willing to sacrifice the lives of millions of men and women for ten million dollars.

Nora then delivered her parting shot. “Don’t . . . move!”

Batgirl rolled her eyes, angry and disgusted as she thought, ‘You bitch!’ Batman looked aggrieved. Robin continued to stare straight ahead. Then, with her eyes, Batgirl followed Nora as long as she could.

Nora laughed maniacally as she and Evelina departed. As they left the trio to their fate, for the first time since Angelina had left, Robin could see them.

When the villainesses were out of his line of sight, Robin asked a question. He hoped against hope that Batman had an escape already worked out, ready to put into action as soon as they were alone.

“Do we dare breathe, Batman?”

“Cautiously, Robin, cautiously.” Batgirl swallowed carefully. “Talking has been dangerous enough. A deep breath might prove fatal."

A look of horror flashed across Batgirl’s face as Batman spoke, as she realized that Batman had no immediate solution to their predicament. They were in this for the long haul.

Outside, Angelina had indeed arrived with the truck. She had unloaded some boxes from the back of the vehicle and was just opening one as Clavicle and Evelina emerged from the warehouse. Nora, who had retrieved her purse on the way out, set it on another box.

Angelina handed her boss an olive green mechanical mouse while giving Evelina a light purple one. All three women began winding the devices with the stubby, removable key provided with the first mouse.

“Are they all set to go off one-half hour after sunset?” Nora asked.

“Yes, boss,” Angelina replied.

“Ahh, good. That will give them time to distribute themselves throughout the city.” Nora paused for a moment, then continued, rapturously, “And when they explode, there won’t be a building left standing in Gotham City!”

They removed the keys and bent down to send the mice whirring away. Evelina clapped her hands in delight. She had to dance out of the way as Angelina’s pinkish orange mouse scurried by her golden sandals.

The three worked diligently, sending hundreds of the colorful mechanical mice on their mission of destruction. Finally, as the last one was set loose, Nora said, “Now, one last look around town as Police Commissioner . . . then we take off!”

Meanwhile, back inside the warehouse, nothing had changed. Any pleasure Robin and Batgirl found in this Human Knot had long since disappeared. Now they were both dreaming of freedom. In addition, all three heroes, besides their concern for each other, thought about their loved ones, who, like them, might die within hours -- die along with the rest of Gotham City . . . unless the three of them somehow managed to extricate themselves from this suffocating, inhuman knot.

Batman’s thoughts turned to Alfred, the man who had raised him after the death of Bruce Wayne‘s parents. He knew the butler would be in town that day.

Robin worried about Aunt Harriet, the dear older sister of his murdered parent. Would Wayne Manor, fourteen miles from the city limits, be far enough away for her to be safe?

Naturally, Commissioner Gordon, her father, came to Batgirl’s mind. The thought of him was made even more painful as she considered the humiliation he had recently suffered. Humiliation caused by his discharge as Police Commissioner . . . and his replacement by the possible instrument of their deaths, Nora Clavicle!

Robin wondered what they were going to do. Batman had never failed to devise a means of escape from a trap before. ‘Is there nothing for us to do but just sit here and hope someone finds us before nightfall?’

Their pain was so great, none of them could conclude with certainty whether Batgirl’s left arm was over or under Robin’s right arm. Then, suddenly, Robin noticed a distinct tightening around his neck. Breathing was becoming more difficult. As the flow of blood to his brain was slowly constricted, he began to feel a bit light-headed.

Robin whispered, “I feel like I’m starting to strangle.”

Batman fought to retain focus. He couldn’t let the feeling of the beautiful Batgirl and her skin-tight costume pressing against his groin distract him. He had to keep Robin and Batgirl from moving, until Batgirl’s legs began to cramp -- if they did and she admitted it -- before the entire city was destroyed. “You won’t if you don’t move,” he chided Robin.

“We can’t just stay motionless in this knot, Batman.” Batgirl observed. “The future of Gotham City may depend on us.”

Batman knew he had to tell them something. “Give me another moment. I’m trying to recall some research I once did on Siamese Human Knots.”

Batgirl’s left foot was already asleep. Painful cramps were developing in both her legs. She resigned herself, though, to enduring the agony. ‘If there’s a way out of this knot and to save Gotham City, Batman will come up with it. He has to!’

Meanwhile, James Gordon and former Police Chief O’Hara were seventh and eighth in the Ex-Policeman’s Line outside of the State Employment Office. Gordon dourly remarked, “I loathe standing in lines, Chief O’Hara.

“Well, at least it’s only one day a week, Commissioner. Besides, what else can we do?”

“Get other jobs,” Gordon staunchly replied.

“But we’ve been policemen almost all of our lives. We don’t know how to do anything else.”

“True enough, Chief O’Hara. We only know one trade, and suddenly that trade is closed to us.” Gordon concluded bitterly, “Taken over by women!”

“Begorra, the shame of it!” Then the ex-Chief saw someone coming. “And speaking of the shame of it . . .”

Nora, with Angelina and Evelina dutifully trailing behind, walked up to Gordon and O’Hara. Icily, she accused, “Loitering on the sidewalks?!”

“What?!” O’Hara blustered. “Loitering? How dare you, Miss –“ he gulped, “Commissioner.”

Gordon put a restraining hand on his friend, “Now, Chief O’Hara –“

“Ex-Chief O’Hara,” Nora pointed out.

Ignoring her correction, Gordon continued, “She’s only doing her duty. Keeping the fine sidewalks of this city clean and uncrowded.”

“Exactly,” Nora declared. “I’ll tolerate no vagrancy in Gotham City!” She turned to one of her assistants, “Evelina, get a policewoman.”

As Evelina left, O’Hara said, a bit plaintively, “But we ain’t crowdin’ any sidewalks.” Then he reluctantly added, “Commissioner.”

Nora glanced at the unemployment sign, “You’re obviously not gainfully employed.”

Gordon stammered, “Well, we - - er - - no - - er - - that is . . .”

Evelina returned with the policewoman who earlier outside the bank had worried about ruining her shoes. Nora indicated Gordon and O’Hara with a wave of her hand, “I think you better run these two . . . stumblebums into the station, officer.”

The policewoman motioned to gather up Gordon and O’Hara with her hands, “Come along . . .”

Before they even got out of line, Alfred appeared. “Just a minute, please . . .”

“Who are you?” Nora demanded. “Another vagrant?”

Alfred formally replied, “I am millionaire Bruce Wayne’s butler, ma’am.”

Slightly mollified, Nora managed only, “Oh.”

Alfred continued, “And I’m happy to say that these two gentlemen are gainfully employed.”

“As what?” Nora asked flatly.

“As instructors at the Bruce Wayne School of Criminology. That is, if they will accept the positions.”

Both Gordon and O’Hara vigorously nodded “yes.”

Nora weighed her options. “Well. All right. This time.” She eyed Gordon and O’Hara. “But my department will be keeping its eye on both of you.”

Evelina moved close to Clavicle. Sotto voce she said, “We better keep moving, boss. Those mice . . .”

Nora turned and whispered, “I know. We’ll be out of town by dark. Never fear.”

Clavicle turned back to Gordon and O’Hara. “Any further loitering or vagrancy on your parts will result in heavy fines, jail sentences - - or both.”

Nora, Evelina, Angelina and the policewoman departed. Watching as they went, Alfred remarked, “Formidable woman.”

Gordon agreed. “Yes. And you saved us from a very humiliating experience, Alfred.”

“How many times, sir, have you both saved Gotham City from much worse than that?”

“Are you on the level about the jobs?” O’Hara inquired.

Alfred answered, “I believe it can be worked out. If you’re - - free . . .”

Gordon replied with a smile, “We’re quite free, Alfred.”

Gordon and O’Hara were free, unlike the Terrifically Knotted Trio, who, back in the warehouse, were still tautly tangled and motionless. Batgirl, however, seemed significantly worse for wear. Her head was noticeably lower and Robin’s wrist was pressing hard on her throat.

At first, the pain had slowly grown and grown. Next, the tight bondage had caused numbness to set into various parts of her body. There, the pain had changed from “ouch” to violent pins and needles. Then the dead limb phenomenon had occurred in her arms. Batgirl wasn’t sure she could move them at all, even if she dared try. This was of great concern to the heroine and, indeed, scary. If Batman needed her to move her arms or fingers for an escape and she couldn’t, they would be totally stuck.

The worst, however, was the feeling in her legs. Finally, Batgirl couldn't contain herself and exclaimed, “I can’t stand this much longer, Batman. I’m getting terrible cramps in my legs!”

This was what Batman had been waiting for since their ordeal began! "Good!"

"Good!?” Robin declared, not believing what he had heard. “Terrible cramps?!" Batgirl shot a look at Batman as if she thought their leader had lost his mind.

"Exactly, Robin.” Batman declared. Batgirl glanced at Robin for support. “The involuntary muscular contractions in Batgirl's legs may indirectly relieve the tension in your lower lumbar region." During Batman’s explanation, Batgirl gritted her teeth as she experienced a wave of agony from her cramped leg muscles.

“Holy Slipped Disc!” Robin said, misunderstanding.

"Not . . . quite . . . Robin,” Batman carefully gave his ward instructions. “If . . .I . . . can wiggle my ears . . .and if you are able to . . . bend the fourth finger on your left hand, just a fraction of an inch . . ."

Batgirl groaned. “He might strangle us all!” Batgirl was in so much torment she wasn’t thinking clearly. Where seconds ago she had declared she couldn’t stand being in the Human Knot much longer, now she was afraid to try to escape. Her suffering was so great, she could not face the prospect of it getting any worse. For the moment, she had forgotten the fact that if they stayed motionless, they would die with the city.

“Release us, Batgirl,” Batman corrected. “It's the Basic Formula for escaping from the Siamese Human Knot. I just recalled it,” Batman lied. No point getting into all that now.

During Batman’s explanation, Batgirl stuck her tongue over her upper lip to try to maintain control. Then she bit her lower lip. ‘If I can just hold on a little longer . . .’

“Ready,” Batman announced. “Ready, Robin?"

Robin looked at Batgirl sympathetically. He knew what it was like to be corrected by Batman, "Ready."

"I'm beginning to wiggle my ears under my cowl."

“All right. I'm releasing my fourth finger."

"I'm wiggling."

"I've got it,” Robin said as he felt Batman’s hand start to move on his leg.

This somehow relaxed the pressure on all their limbs. Batgirl was relieved to discover she could move her hands and arms. Batgirl broke her right hand free from Robin’s. Then the whole knot fell apart.

As they came apart, Batman's right hand accidently brushed against Batgirl's right breast. She didn't even notice. Her limp right hand thudded against the floor.

“We’re free!” Robin shouted, as Batgirl let out a big breath of air.

After a moment, Robin scooted back away from Batman and Batgirl. Then Batman removed his right leg from between Batgirl’s legs and pushed himself out from under the Curvaceous Crimefightress.

As Robin struggled to his feet, he exclaimed, “Oh! I’m so sore! I’m not used to having my legs in that position!”

Batman led the way out of the warehouse, following the same path Nora and her cronies had taken. The Terrific Trio burst through the door, into the same alley where Nora, Angelina and Evelina had let loose the mice. Empty boxes were strewn around the alley.

As they stood next to each other, enjoying their freedom, Robin observed, "Gosh, Batman! What a simple way to get out of a Siamese Human Knot.” Batman nodded and modestly raised both arms slightly.

Robin then looked around. “But, what do we do now?”

“Yes,” said Batgirl. “We really know nothing of Miss– Commissioner Clavicle’s plan to destroy Gotham City.”

During his compatriots’ dialogue, Batman spotted something nearby. “Perhaps we can start with . . . that.”

Down the alley, at the street corner, the twin policewomen were hanging for dear life onto a utility pole whilst several mechanical mice circled beneath them.

Batman moved toward them, followed by Batgirl and Robin. Batman picked up one of the mice, stopped the mechanism and carefully began opening up the mouse. Meanwhile, the two policewomen scrambled down the pole and disappeared down the street.

As Batman examined the mouse more closely, Batgirl asked, “What’s inside it?”

“Oh!” Batman exclaimed, “A high explosive charge and a timing device,” Batman peered even more deeply into the workings, “apparently set to go off a half an hour after sunset.”

Robin leaned in, with Batgirl between he and Batman. “But, how could a little charge–” Robin began. Then he looked around again at the myriad empty boxes. He touched Batgirl's cape as he pounded his right fist into his left palm. “Holy Mechanical Armies!”

“Exactly, Robin,” Batman agreed. “There’s a legion of these lethal mice whirring through Gotham City at this very moment.”

“But we can’t catch them all,” Batgirl realized, “not before dark.”

“I know,” Batman admitted. “Robin, call Chief O’Har–” Batgirl put her hands on her hips as Batman realized his mistake. “Chief Linseed on the police channel. Tell her to mobilize her entire force and send them out to gather up these mice. I’ll be back by the time you finish that call.”

Batman ran off while Robin and Batgirl headed for a nearby police phone box. Robin opened and activated it. “Connect me with Chief Linseed, please. It’s an emergency.” After a brief pause, “Chief Linseed?”

“Yes, Robin. We know about the mice.”

Chief Linseed stood on top of the desk in the Commissioner’s office. The policewoman who had smeared her lipstick at the bank stood on a chair nearby. Both of the women cast fearful glances at mechanical mice as they whirred past.

“But, I’m afraid my police force won’t be very much help to you,” Chief Linseed admitted. She turned to the policewoman. “Officer, are those mice still down there?”

“Yes, Chief Linseed.”

Chief Linseed spoke into the phone. “Oohhhh, oh, excuse me, Robin. I’m afraid I’m going to faint.” Which she promptly did, managing to stay on top of the desk.

“Oh, me, too,” said the policewoman, who managed to collapse into the chair.

Robin hung up the phone. Obviously, Batgirl had been able to hear what was said on the other end. “I might have known. You can’t get policewomen to help you catch mice.”

“It’s diabolical!” Robin declared. “That women’s rights crusade was just a trick – so she could loose all those exploding mice and not even worry about the police.”

At that moment, Batman returned, carrying three plastic flutes of different colors. “I’m afraid you’re right, Robin, but we may have one last hope.” Batman handed Robin a red flute, Batgirl a green one and began playing a short little tune on the yellow flute.

“What are you doing, Batman?!” Robin questioned. “This is no time for games!”

Batman ignored him and continued playing. Suddenly, Batgirl noticed something down and to her right. “Robin, look!”

One of the mechanical mice had turned and headed toward Batman. Another followed close behind.

Robin, amazed, asked, “How’d you do it, Batman?”

“There’s no time to explain, Robin. I want you both to play exactly the same tune that you just heard. Batgirl, you take the East Side. Robin, you take the West Side.” He pointed at Batgirl and Robin in turn. “East Side, West Side. I’ll go through Midtown and we’ll meet each other at the docks.”

“But–” Robin began.

Batman waved him off. “Just play, Robin. Play for all you’re worth.” Batman marched off, tootling.

Robin shrugged, began playing, and headed to the west.

Batgirl, left alone, put her green flute to her lips. She reproduced the same tune and walked east.

Before long, each of the three heroes had a small troop of mice following them down the avenues. Every few steps more and more of the mechanical mice appeared from out of storm drains, buildings – everywhere.

With only moments left before disaster, the Terrific Trio and their retinue of rodents arrived at dockside. They continued to play as the mice whirred right past them, off the end of the dock and into the water with a splash.

Batman, Batgirl and Robin thought their mission had been accomplished, but then they noticed one recalcitrant robot that had stopped about six feet from the edge of the dock. Afraid that touching the mouse would set it off, Batman resisted the temptation to sweep it into the water.

Instead, the Caped Crusader crouched down and began to play even more insistently. The little fellow whirred in a circle, then began to slowly move toward the water. Batman had his flute just inches away from the mouse as it rolled the last few feet to the end of the dock and finally tottered off.

After a satisfying final splash, Batman fluted a finale.

“We made it!” Batgirl declared triumphantly.

“With very few moments to spare,” Batman added.

“But,” Robin asked, “how did you know they’d follow us, Batman?”

“I was able to determine that the guidance system in the mice was built around the principle of high-frequency radar. So, by selecting the right combination of flute toots, I was able to cause those mice and their homing mechanisms to zero in on the source of the sounds, the flutes.”

Batgirl grinned. “The Pied Pipers of Gotham City.”

“Heh, heh, heh,” Batman chuckled. “You might say that.”

Just then, the trio noticed that a truck was backing up to the dock. It was the same truck from which Angelina had unloaded the boxes of mice. Now in the back of the truck was Nora Clavicle, flanked by Angelina and Evelina. The three women were tightly tied by ropes and guarded by Alfred, who sat on a crate while pointing the end of his umbrella at the criminals.

The truck pulled to a halt. Gordon got out from behind the wheel, while O’Hara slid out the passenger side. The pair came around to the back. They were met by the Terrific Trio.

“I see you have some interesting freight there,” observed Batman.

“That we do, Batman,” agreed O’Hara. “ Caught ‘em at the edge of town. Just as you said we might when you phoned me.”

“They were exceeding the speed limit by a considerable margin, sir,” explained Alfred, “so we, we thought it best to take them into custody.”

“You can’t arrest us!” Nora declared imperiously. “You have no power.”

“Citizen’s arrest, me fine feathered females!” Chief O’Hara gave a hearty laugh.

“You should have bought some prison insurance, Miss Clavicle,” Robin wryly suggested. Nora glared at the young man with undisguised hatred.

“She’ll need it where she’s going, Boy Wonder,” said Gordon. “A long term policy, with Warden Crichton as the beneficiary.”

“Ah,” O’Hara sighed contentedly, “It’ll be nice to have our old jobs back again, won’t it, Commissioner?”

“Hmm, hm! It will indeed, Chief O’Hara. It will indeed.” The six stalwarts of law and order shared a satisfied laugh, while the bound criminals sat in silence.

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