Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-08-16

MY ear had caught the sounds anu !
could better interpret il than he. Il
ceased.
Touch Tire signal-bell, Adolphe," ad.
ded Sanford,
Not only the play, but the very breath
ing of the Williams, was suspended as they
listened for The reply,
1t came. The answering linkle sound
ed once--twice--thrice. " All rigbtT
shouted Sandford. Proceed The
farce is nearly played out"
l had instructed the officers that two Of
them in plain clothes should present
themselves at the font door, obtain admis-
sion by means Of the password had
given them, and Immediately seise and
gag the door keeper. had also acquain-
ted them with the proper answer TO the
signal riug-three pulls at the bell ham
die communicating with the first floor.
Their comrades we're then to be admitted,
and they were all TO silently ascend the
stairs and wait on the landing till sum-
moned by me to enter and seize the
gamesters. The back entrance to the
house was also securely but unobtrusively
watched.
One only fear disturbed me; it was
lest the scoundrels should take alarm in
sufficient time to extinguish the lights.
destroy the forged papers, and possibly
escape by some private passage which
might, unknown to me, exist.
Rousing myself as soon as the play
was resumed, from the trance of memory
by which l had been in some sort abb
Sorbed, and first ascertaining that my pis-
tolls were within easy reach--for | knew
was playing desperate game--I rose,
stepped carelessly to the door, partially
opened it, and bent forward, as if listen
ing for a repetition of the sound which
had SO alarmed the company. To my
great delight, the landing and stairs were
filled with police ofilcers--silent and stern
as death. | drew back and walked to-
ward the table at which Mr.. Merton was
seated. The last stake-an enormous
being played for. Merton lost.
He sprang upon his feet, death pale, de-
spairing, overwhelmed, and a hoarse ex-
surged through his clenched
teeth. Sandford and his associates COOL
ly raked the plunder together, their fea-
lures lighted up with fiendish glee.
Villain, traitor, miscreant T shrieked
Mr.. Merton, as if smitten with a sudden
frenzy, and darting at Sandford's throat,
= you devil that you are, you have un-
lone, destroyed me-"
" No doubt of it," calmly replied Sand
ord, shaking off bis victims grasp; and
think it has been very artistically and
tfectually done, too. Sniveling, my fine
elbow will scarcely help yov much"
Mr.. Merton glared upon the taunting
'illain in speechless agony and rage.
d" Not quite SO fast, Carbon, if you
,lease p ! exclaimed, at the same time
aking up bundle of forged notes. at
loes not appear to me that Mr.. Merton
las played against equal stakes, for un-
Iuestionably this paper is not genuine "a
Dog !" roared Sandford, do you val
u your life SO cheap?" and he rushed
owards me as if to seize the forged
otes.
was as quick as he, and the levelled
ube of pistol sharply arrested bis eager
nslaught. The entire gang gathered
ear us, flaming with excitement. Mr..
Ierton looked bewilderingly from one to
mother, apparently scarcely conscious of
hat was passing around him.
Wrench the papers from him p
,reamed Sandford, recovering bis ener-
y. Seize him-stab him, strapgle
img'
"Look to yourself, scoundrel p shout
d, with equal vehemence. "Your hour
come! Officers enter and do your
uty~
In an instant the room was filed with
Olice and surprised, panic-stricken,
aralyzed by the suddenness of the catas-
ophe, the gang were all secured without
e slightest resistance, though most of
EN- we're armed, and marched off into
stody.
Three-Sandford, or Carbon (but he
ID half dozen aliases,) one of them
ere transported for life; the rest we're
ntenced to various terms of imprison-
ent. My task was effectually accom-
ished. My superiors were pleased to
lpress very warm commentators of the
amer in which | had acquitted myself;
ID the first step in the promotion which
led to my present position in
lother branch of the public service. was
ION afterwards conferred upon me. Mr..
Ierton had his bonds, obligations, jewels,
ID money, restored TO him and taught