Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1862-01-28

insisting. as had advised, upon the exbi-
bition OF sum equal to that which be had
brought with him. for, confident of winning
he was Determined to recover his losses to
the last farthing and although his bonds,
bills, obligations. his sisters jewels, and a
large amount Of goll aud genuine notes
were produced, there was still a heavy sum
deficient
"Ah, by the BY" exclaimed Sanford, as
entered, "Waters can lend you the sum
Tor an hour or two-for a consideration. +" he
added in a whisper 1T will soon be re-
turned"
"No. thank you," answered very coldly
II never part with my money till have
lest it."
i A malignant scowl passed over the
scoundrel's features. but he made no repIy
Ultimately it was decided that one of the
fraternity should be dispatched in search
OF the required sum. lie was gone about
half an hour and returned with bundle
| OF notes: They were, as | hoped aud ex-
pected, forgeries on foreign banks Mr.
4 Merton lacked 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
rum, that grew dizzy with excitement,
and drained tuml led after tumbler of water
to allay the fevered thrubbing of my veins
The gamblers were certainly too much alb
sorbed to heed my agitation. Merton lost
ntinuously-without pause or intermis-
sion. The stakes were doubled, trebled,
Quadrupledl His brain was on fire and
he played, or rather lost, with the reck>
less of madman.
"Hark what's that? ?" suddenly exclaim-
| ed Sanford, from whose Satanic features
the mask he had so long worn before Mer.
ton had been gradually slipping. did
you hear noise below ?''
My ear had caught the sound, and |
could better interpret than he. 1t ceased.
Touch the signal bell, Adolphia," add
ed 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 tinkle sounded
onoe-twice-thrice. "Ali right !" shout
ed Sanford. Proceed The farce is near
ly played out"
l had instructed the officers that two of
them in plain clothes should present them
selves at the front door, obtain admission
by means of the password ! had given
them, and Immediately seize and gag the
doorkeeper. | had also acquainted them
three pulls at the handle communicating
with the first fl or. Their comrades were
then to be admitted, and they were all si-
lently to ascend the stairs. and waiting on
the landing till summoned by me to enter
and seize the gamesters. The back en-
trance were also securely but unobtrusively
watched.
One only fear disturbed me it was lest
the scoundrels should take alarm in suff-
cient time to extinguish the light, destroy
all the forged papers, and possibly escape
by some private passage which might un,
known to me, exist.
ROusing myself, as soon as the play was
resumed, from the trance of memory by
which | had been in some sort absorbed,
AID first ascertaining that my pistols were
within easy reach-for know l was play
ing a desperate game-I rose, stepped
carelessly to the door, partially opened it,
and bent forward, as if listening for rene
titiOn of the sound which had so alarmed
the company. To my great delight, the
! landing and stairs were filled with police
ofhcers-silent and stern as death. drew
back and walked toward the table at W hich
) Mr.. Merton was seated. The last stake
an enormous one-was being played for
Merton lost He sprang upon bis feet,
| uGdluly putt ONeTWUelP
and hoarse execratiOn surged from his
clenched teeth. Sanford and his associates
cOolly raked the plumber together, their
features lighted up with fendish glee.
-tTaitOr-miscreant r'-shriek
ed Mr.. Merton, Us If smitten with sudden
; frenzy, and dashing at Sanford's throat
"you devil, that you are, have undone, de-
strOv ed me ~
mo doubt of it." calmly replied San
t ford, shaking off his victims grasp; and
t think it has been very artistically and eff
lectively done, too. Snivelingly, my fine
= fellow, will scarcely help you much"
= Mr.. Merton glared upon the haunting vii
: liam in speechless agony and rage.
Not quiet SO fast Carbon if you pleased
| exclaimed, at the same time takiUg up
4 bundle of forged notes. 1T does not ap
: pear to me that Merton has played agains
) equal stakes, for unquestionajiy this paper
| is not genuine"
e "Dogw roared Sanford, do you valu,
e your life go cheap ?" and he rushed toward
: me as if to seize the forged notes
was as quick as he, and the leveleC
! tube of pistol sharply arrested his cage
r onslaught The entire gang gathered neal
3 us flaming with excitement MIR. Merton
o looked les ideredly from one to another
= dpId'oht'i eCdIte y cOEbClOub OF what va
passing around him.
= Wrench the paper from him !" scream
4 ed Sanford, recovering his energy. "Seizt
u him-stab him, strangle him !"
d "L0ok to yourself scoundreI !" shouted
with equal vehemence. Your hour il
t come? Officers enter and do your duty =
In an instant the room was filled will
: police and surprised, panic stricken, bar
n alyzed by the suddenness of the cntastro
= phe. the gang were all secured without tn,
d slightest resistance. though most Of then
= were armed. and marched off in custody
t Three-Sanfurd. or Carbon. (but he had
/ half dozen allases) one OF them--wer
s transported for life the rest were sentenc
0 ed to various terms of imprisonment. NJ
= task was etfectually accomplished. My su
s periors were pleased to express very warn
: commentator of the manner in which
:. had acquitted myself, and the first step il
: the promotion which ultimately led to m,
present position IN another branch of tn
d public service, was soon afterward conferr
o ed upon me. Mr.. Merton had his bonds
e obligations, jewels, ana money restored t.
e him and, taught wisdom by terrible ex
It perience, never again entered a gauinl
It house.
e Neither he nor his lady mother were IN
t grateful for the services lad been fOstu
It nate enough TO render them.
A poor Irish cripple sat begging at