Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1861-12-05

lot, COuuucub VI WluuiBks uc was uc
termined to recover his losses to the
last farthing; and although his bonds,
bills. obligations. his sisters jewels, and
q large amount in gold and genuine
notes. were produced there was still 6
heavy sum deficient. "Ah, by the
BY" exclaimed Sanford, as 1 entered,
"Waters can lend you the sum for an
hour or two-for q consideration" b,
added in q whisper. at will soon be
returned"
"No, thank you." answered very
coldly, 81 never part with my money
till l have lost it."
A malignant scowl passed over the
scoundrel's features, but be made no re-
ply. Ultimately it was decided that
one Of the fraternity should be dis
patched in search of the required sum.
He was gone about half an hour, and
returned with a bundle Of notes. They
were, as 1 hoped and expected. forge
ries on foreign banks. Mr.. Merton
looked at and counted them over, and
then the play commenced.
As it went on, so vividly did the
scene recall the evening that had sealed
my own ruin, that l grew dizzy with
excitement, and drsined tumbler after
tumbler Of water to allay the fevered
throbbing of my veins. The gamblers
were certainly too much absorbed to
heed my agitation. Merton lost con-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. pause or intermis-
SION. The stakes were doubled, trebled,
quadrupledl His brain was on fire;
and he played, or rather lost, with the
recklessness of a madman.
"Harkl what's that?" suddenly ex-
claimed Sanford, from whose Satanic
features the mask he had SO long worn
before Merton had been gradually slip
ping. "Did you hear noise below?"
My ear had caught the sound; and l
could better interpret than he. It
ceased.
Touch the signal bell, AdoIphe;;"
added Sanford.
Not only the play, but the very
breathing Of the villains was suspended
as they listened for the reply.
1t came. The answering tinkle
sounded once-twice-thrice. "All
right" shouted Sanford. Proceed
The farce is nearly played out"
= had instructed the officers that two
of them in plain clothes should present
themselves at the front door. obtain ad-
mission by means of the password 1
had given them, and Immediately seize
and gag the doorkeeper. / had also
acquainted them with the proper an
swer to the signal bell--three pulls at
the bell handle communicating with the
first floor. Their comrades we're then
to be admitted, and they were all silent
ly to ascend the stairs, and waiting on
the landing till summoned by me to
enter and seize the gamesters. The
back entrance was also securely but
unobtrusively watched.
One only fear disturbed; il was lest
the scoundrels should take alarm in
sufficient time to extinguish the light,
destroy all the forged papers, and pos
sibly escape by some private passage
which might, unknown to me, exist.
Rousing myself, as soon as the play
was resumed. from the trance of memo
ry by which 1 had been in some sort
absorbed, and first ascertsining that my
pistols were within easy reach--for i
knew Twas playing desperate game
l rose, stepped carelessly to the door,
partially opened it, and bent forward,
as if listening for a repetition of the
sound which had so alarmed the COM
pany. To my great delight the land
ing and stairs were filled with police
officers-silent and stern as death. 1
drew back and walked toward the table
at which Mr.. Merton was seated. The
last stake-an enormous one--was be-
ing played for. Merton lost. He
sprang upon bis feet, death-pale. des-
pairing, overwhelmed, and hoarse ex-
ecration surged from his clenched teeth.
Sanford and his associates coolly raked
the plunder together, their features
lighted up with iendish glee.
"Villain-- traitor - miscreant l''--
shrieked Mr.. Merton. as il smitten with |
a sudden frenzy. and Jashing at San
ford's throat; "you devil that you are,
have undone, destroyed mel'
"No doubt of it," calmly replied
Sanford, shaking of his victims grasp;
"and l think it has been very artistical-
ly and effectively done, too. Sniveling.
my fine fellow, will scarcely help you
much"
Mr.. Merton glared upon the taunting
villain in speecbless agony and rage.
mot quite so fast, Carbon. if you
pleased" l exclaimed. at the same time
taking up bundle of forged notes.
at does no. appear to me that Mr.. Mer-
ton has played against equal stakes, for
unquestionably this paper is not genu-
inel'
DOG" roared Sanford, edo you
value your life so cheap" and be rushed
toward me as If to seize the forged
notes.
Twas as quick as be, and the leveled
tube of a pistol sharply arrested his
eager onslaught. The entire gang
gathered near us flaming with excite
ment. Mr.. Merton looked bewildered-
ly from one to another, apparently
scarcely conscious of what was passing
around him.
ssWreneh the nanay fyor, b;nio