The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1852-07-02
THE GAMBLERS DEN.
ny A LONDON POLICE OFFICER.
(Concluded.)

the morrow; and on that day, too, an.
nounced the fabulous thousands receiva
BILE by me we're 10 be handed over. MI
Merton, elaied by his repeated triumph
at ecarie, and prompted by his frient
Sandford, resolved instead OF cancellip,
tho. bonds snd obligations held by tn
conspirators, to redeem bis losses b!
stalking OH that game his ready none!
against those liabilities. This was o
first demured TO with much appa'en
earnesiness by the winners; but Mr.. Mer
ton, warmly seconded by Sandford, insis
ted upon the concession, as he deemed
il; It was finally agreed tha, ecarte should
be the game by which he nigh, hope tr
regain the foretune and peace Of mind
he had so rashly squandered; the last
time should be siccessful--and was he
not sure of successful so, he assured
Sandford, that he would even handle cards
or dice. He should have heard the mock.
ing mortimer. with which the gang heard
Sandford repeat this resolution TO amend
his ways ,ohen he had recovered his
wealth.
The day so eagerly longed for by Mer-
ton and his confederates, by the spoilers
and their prey--arrived, and | awaited
with feverish anxiety the coming on Of
night. Only the chief conspirators-
eight in number--were to be resent; and
no stranger except myself--a privilege |
owed to the moonshine legacy | had Just
received was to be admitted to this crown
ing triumph Of successful fraud. One
only hint had ventuted TO give Mr..
Merton, and tina. under promise, "on
bis honor as gentleman" Of inviolable
secrecy. II was this: "Be sure. before
commencing play tomorrow night, the
books and obligations you have signed,
the jewels Won have lost, with a sum in
notes or gold to make up an equal
amount to that which you mean to risk, /,
is actually deposited on the table," He
promised to insist on this condition. II
involved much more than he dreamt Of.
My arrangements were <at length
thoroughly complete, and few minutes
pas. twelve o'clock the whispered pass
word admitted me into the house. An
angry alteration was going on. Mr..
Merton was insisting, as | had advised.
upon the the exhibition of sum equal
to ,ha. which he lad brough, with him
for confident Of winning, he was deter
mined to recover his loss to the last far
thing: and although his bonds, bills, obi.
cations, his sisters jewels, and large
amount in gold and genuine notes, were
produced there was still heavy sum
deficient. "Ab, by the bv," exclaimed
Sandford as entered. "Waters can lend
you the sum for an hour or two-for a
consideration" he added in a whisper.
"Ii will soon be returned"
"No, thank you'll answered coldly.
al never part with my money till have
lost it,"
A malignant scowl passed over the
scoundrel's features, bu, he made no re-
ply. Ultimately it was decided that one
Of The fraternity should be dispatched in
search Of the required amount. He was
gone about half an hour, and returned
with bundle Of notes. They were, as
hoped and expected, forgeries on foreign
banks. Mr.. Merton looked at and coun.
ted them, and play commenced.
Aa i, wen, on, so vividly did The scere
recall the evening that had sealed my
own rnin, that grew dizzy with excite
meni, and diained tumbler after tunbler
Of water to allay the fevered throbbing
Of nv veins. The gamblers were for,u-
nately too much absorbed to heed my ag.
ita,ion. Merton lost continually with
oui pause or in,ermission. The stakes
were doubled-,rebled- quadruple3! His
brain was on fire; and he played, or
ra'her los. with the recklessness Of a
mad man. E"A
"Hark! what's that? suddenly exclaim.
ed Sandford. from whose Satanic features
the mask he had SO long worn before
Merton had been gradually slipping.
Did you not hear noise below?"
My ear had caugh, the sound, and
could better interpret j, than he. l
ceased.
"Tonch the signal.bell, Adolphe, J" ad-
ded Sandcrd.
Not only the play, but the very breath
ing Of the villains was suspended as they
listened for the reply.
Itcame. The answering tinkle sound
ed once--ihrice--. "All right! The
farce is nearly played out.
I had instructed the officers that two
of,hem in plain clothes should presen,
themselves at the fron. door, obtain adj
mission by means Of the password | had
given them, and Immediately seize and
gag the door.keeper. ! had acquainted
them with the proper answer 10 the sig
nal ring-three distinct pulls at the bell
handle communicating with the first
floor. Their comrades were then 10 be
admitted, and they wera alI to silently .s-
cend the stairs, aud wait on the landing
till summoned by me 10 enter and seize
the samesters Tho back entrance to the