It turns out that Mr. Jones was a spy working for the Coast Guard. At the end the Hardys escape into the house on the cliff and capture Snattman while he is negotiating with police. Snattman apologizes and describes his life as difficult. As an infant, he lost his father, and he inherited the house from his dead uncle. His uncle was mean to him, and he never really had the opportunity to be properly trained. As a result, he wanted to turn the house into a Boys' Home, one where boys who are not properly trained can come to live.