The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-12-16

and mill the hundred we ran yesterday.
Yell be back in an hour?"
"Yes, dear"
And throwing heavy cloak about her,
and incasing her head in deep hood,
the girl opened the door and disappeared
into the night.
Price turned to the gang.
"Boys go below, fire up, and prepare
the rest O the metal. I'll stay here, an
when Net comes in with the dies we'll
coin. I want a full load tonight, for
we're almost out. Here, give ME lift"
As he ceased speaking, he seized a
heavy iron bar and thrust it beneath the
hearthstone. The others joined hands
with him, and, with desperate effort the
five slowly raised the great stone. Be
meath it appeared door, secured by
long. iron bolts. These being shot.
and the trap raised, flight of steps was
seen. The four strangers descended,
carrying lantern, and Price dropped
the door behind them. Then opening a
sort of hidden closet, he drew from it
box of rough silver coin and milling
machine, with which he began to work.
Densmore breathed hard.
trapped l'' he whispered-''t trapped
The gang completed And now for Dork. F."
Noiselessly he arose and approached
the ladder. In either pocket were his
pistols, and in his hand pair of brace
lets, on his breast his star At the top
of the ladder he paused, struck his foot
against the floor, and coughed. There
was quick stir below.
'Mr. Brice! Mr.. Brice! Vas you
dere?''
A half-growl from below answered
him:
"What ye want2"
"I vas sick, Mr.. Brice-I was so hot
rs neffer vas. I want leetle water, Mr..
Brice, if you please, Mr. Brice."
"What the" then came an oath.
ellie still, ye Dutch fool, and I'll bring
ye water. Don't come here"
80, no, Mr.. Brice! But some water,
Mr.. Brice, for Gods sakel I vas burned
alifel''
There was moving about the room, a
patter of dipper and pail, and Price ap-
preached the ladder. Densmore breathed
hard. The steps came nearer, nearer;
they mounted the ladder. He crouched,
waiting. An instant more. and the
bearded face of Price appeared above
the opening in the floor, and his right
hand was raised, holding tin cup of
water.
"Here, Dutchy-ye're cursed hard to
take care 'of-here's yer drink.
Carls arm was outstretched; but, rs
he touched the dipper, there came a
sharp click, and the handcuff closed
about the wrist of the coiner, and, at the
same moment, the cold muzzle of a
heavy Colts revolver pressed against his
forehead, and the voice of the detective
hissed in his very ear:
"Not a sound. or I'll kill you! Up
with your other hand"
The man was fairly caught, and he
knew it. The color fled from his bronzed
face, leaving it ashen-hued; cold sweat
gathered in beads upon his brow: the
prison doors yawned before him; but
one glance into the deep eyes of the de-
tetaive were enough, and with shudder
and groan he allowed the handouts to
be clasped about his other wrist.
"And now go down; without noise,
| too" said Densmore, Cor"
Price obeyed; and, as he turned upon
the floor below, the detective was at his
side.
''Sit there" and he pointed toward the
table, with your back to the door, "
Again the coiner obeyed, bowling his
head upon his hands. Then Densmore
crept to the trap, closed it, and shot the
| heavy bolts.
Without raising his head, Price whis-
pered:
'"They'n smother"
''They must run their chances" re-
| piled Densmore, coldly.
So saying, he crept near to the cabin
door, and waited. He must have the
woman, the spy, the last and best of all
the gang.
The moments passed; the hour was
| drawing to a close, and the detective
listened with bated breath for his com,
ing victim, when suddenly, without 6
sound, the door opened, and Nettie en-.
tered. AS she did SO, Densmore stepped
forward, and would have laid his HAND
upon her shoulder, but, in a single
glance, the girl comprehended all, ant
with wild shrek she sprang from him
the dies dropping from her arms as she
did SO while Price started from his sea-
and Joined her. And then again the de
tective found himself facing his enemies
one of them now armed, for the woman
had drawn pistol.
But there was no struggle. Will
nerves tense as steel, and deadly igh
in the clear, blue eyes, Carl levelled hi
heavy weapons, one at each of the figure
before him, and in low, cool tones said
"Up with your hands! In the nam
of the national government, I arrest yo1
as counterfeitersl Quick!"
The last word was addressed to tn
woman, for in her eyes, too, ther
cleaned dangerous light; but, befor
the detective could stay her, the pistc
was turned, there rang out sharp re
port, and from her side there welled th
bright blood, splashing the wooden fool
and, with moaning cry, she tottere
and fell, Price half catching her in hi
shackled arms as she sank.
Only once she spoke.
stBetter this than a prison, Dick! An
to die with you, loUe.'
Then came fiuttering sigh, and sh
was gone.
An hour later, Densmore stood befol
the United States Commissioner at Wild
wood, and delivered his prisoner. Tw
hours later, pose of officers secured tt
others, who we're dragged half dead frol
their cellar furnace-room; and the ne1
. day, the detective alone stood by I'll
open grave of poor Nettie, 'the braves
and prettiest criminal he had ev,
known" he said, and heard the du
sound of the clods as they fell upon h,
coffin. Then he turned eastward agail
his duty done.
The coiners of Kansas were no more.
! |
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