The Democratic advocate., 1881-03-26
WESTMINSTER MD SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1881.

eS, dear
And throwing a 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 90 below, fire up, and prepare the
rest o the mettle. I'll stay here, an when
Net comes in with the dies we'll coin.
want full load tonight, for we're almost
out Here give me a lift.
As he ceased speaking, he seized a heavy
iron bar and thrust it beneath the hearth
stone. The others joined hands with him
and, with desperate effort, the five slowly
raised the great stone. Beneath it appear.
ed door, secured by long iron bolts
These being shot, and the trap raised, a
fight of steps were seen. The four strang,
ers descended, carrying a 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 he whispered-"traPPed!
The gang complete Aud now for 'rork.
Noiselessly he arose and approached the
ladder In either pocket where his pistols,
and in his hand pair Of bracelets, 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 be
low
"Mr. Brice! Mr. Bricel Vas you dere?'
A half.growl from below answered him:
What ye waut?'
Il vas sick, Mr. Brice--I vas SO hot as
neffer vas / vant leetle water. Mr..
Brice, if you please, Mr.. Bricc.
what the" then came an oath.
Lie still, ye Du,eh fool, aud III bring ye
water. Don't come here.
80. no, Mr. Bricel But some water, Mr..
Briee. for Gods sake, | vas burned alife?'
There was a moving about the room, a
pa,ter Of dIpper and pail, and Price ap.
preached the ladder Densmore brea,hed
hard. The steps came nearer, nearer; they
mounted the lader lie crouehed, wait
ing. An instant more, and the bearded
face Of Price appeared above the opening
in the aoor, aad bis right hand was raised,
holding a Iin cup of water.
Here, Da,ehy-ye're cursed hard to
take care of-heTes yer drink.
CarI's arm was oatstre,ched; but, as he
touched the dipPsr there came a sharp
click. aud the haBdeua closed abou, the
wrist Of the coioer, and, at the same mo-
ment, the cold muIEle of heavy Colt 5
revolver pressed against his forehead, and
the voice Of the detective Kissed 10 his
very ear
Ne, SQUAD, or IN Kill you Up with
your other hand
The mau was fairly caught. aud he
knew it, The color Hed FROM his brUuIed
face leavisg it asben-hued; cold sweat
gathered in beads upon hi. brow; the pri-
son doors yawned before him; but one
glance into the deep eyes Of the de,eo, i've
vas enough, aud with a shudder aud
groaa be allowed the handouts to be clasp.
ed about Ais other wrist,
And now 60 down; wi.hou, noise too, -
said Densmore, or
Price obeycd, aud, as he turned upon
the floor below, the detective vas at his
side.
"Sit there, aad he pointed toward the
table, with your back TO the door.
Again the eoiner obeysd, bowing his
head upon his hands Then Densmore
crrpi to the trap, closed il, aud shot the
heavy bolts.
Without raising his head, Price whis-
perered
They'll smother
They must run their chances, replied
Densniore, cOldly,
So saying, be erep, near to the cabin
door aud waited. He must have the wo-
man, the spy, the last and best Of oil the
gang.
The moments passed. the hour was
drawing TO a close, and the detective lis
tened with bated breath for his coming
victim, when suddenly, without a sound,
the door opened, and Netty entered. As
she did so, Densmore stepped forward, and
would have laid his hand upon her should
er, but, 10 a single glance, the girl com
pretended all, aud with a wild shrek she
sprang from him, the dies dropping from
her arms as she did so, while Price start
ed from his seat aud joined her. And
then again the detective found himself
facing his enemies, one of them now arm-
ed, for the woman had drawn a pistol.
But there was no struggle, With
nerves tense as steel, aud deadly light
in the clear, blue eyes, Carl levelled his
heavy weapons, one at each of the figures
before him, and in low, cool tones said;
up with your hands! In the name of
the national government, arrest You as
counterfeiters! Quick"
The last word was addressed to the wo-
man, for in her eyes, too, there cleaned
dangerous light; but before the detective
could stay her, the pistol was turned, there
rang out sharp report aud from her side
there welled the bright blood, splashing the
wooden floor, and, with a moaning cry, she
tottercd and fell, Price half catching her in
his shackled arms as she sank.
Only once she spoke.
Better this than prison, Dick! And
to die with you, lore"
Then came a futtering sigh, and she
Uas 1opn