Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-06-22

him for ye in the mornin'. Do you want to
turn in p
"Turn in 2"
Go ter bed--ter sleep, mean"
"Oh, yaw was tired myself oud to-
night"
A moments consultation with the woman
and Price called the peddler to follow. Carl
picked up his pack, and climbed the ladder
that led into the loft. There was shake
down on the floor.
"Thar It's not the finest bedroom in the
world, but yell Sleep" said Price, laughing.
Good night"
"Good night" returned Carl.
The other disappeared. Densmore heaved
sigh.
dts hard work playing Dutch" he NUT
tered.
Then he opened his pack, and from it
drew two heavy revolvers, bowie-knife,
three pairs of handouts, and the star Of the
United States secret service.
al may have work before morning."
thought he, "and these are good bedfel-
lows.'
He removed his coat, blew out the can
die, and lay down, his mind busy with the
events of the day and in forming some plan
for the morrow.
While thus engaged, the sound OF door
stealthily opened attracted his attention,
and a moment later he heard mems voices
below. Quietly leaving his bed, he crept to
knot-hole in the floor and listened
"But the peddler ?"
1t was the womans voice.
"Never mind him" replied Price. Ned"
he continued, apparently addressing the
new conner, "we've customer up stairs-a
Dutch peddler-and he wants four hundred.
I,,n tf1 ba Hal
buy"
The door opened second time Pressing
his face close to the floor, Densmore found
that he could both see and hear. Three
sharp-looking, roughly-dressed men entered.
"Hal all here" said Price, in a low tone.
"That is good. want half thousand O.
the queer tonight, for we kin send to the
tavern tomorrow, and the chap up above
wants some. Did you bring the dies, Brayf"
The man addressed shook his head.
al haven't been home, and Jest come
from Elkhorn. Send Nettie. My woman
will give 'em to her."
Price turned to the girl.
"Are you afraid to go, Net ?"
"Afraid ?" she laughed, and touched her
bosom, Just drawing the butt of a pistol
into sight" afraid, Dick? You know bet
ter nor that"
"Wall, then, my gal, if ye go to Bray's
an git the dies, it will help us; for, while
the boys are coming, l will stay on watch
an mill the hundred we ran yesterday.
Yell be back in an hour p
"Yes dear"
Aud, throwing heavy cloak about her,
and encasing 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. |
\ want full load tonight, for we're almost
out. Here, give me lift
, As he ceased speaking, he seized heavy
+ iron bar and thrust it beneath the hearth
stone. The others )ined hands with him,
J. and, with desperate effort the five slowly
raised the great stone. Beneath it appeared
q a door, secured by long iron bolts. These
being shut, and the trap raised, flight Of
e steps was seen. The four strangers de
y scended, carrying lantern, and Price
dropped the door behind them. Then open
Il ing sort of hidden closet, he drew from il
d a box of rough silver coin aud milling ma
chine, with which he began to work.
Densmore breathed hard.
n "Trapped |" he whispered =" trapped
|
e Noiselessly he arose and approached the
ladder. In either pockets were his pistols
S and in his hand pair of bracelets, on hi:
o breast his star. At the top of the ladder he
d" paused, struck his foot against the floor
and coughed. There was quick stir below
l "Mr. Brice Mr.. Brce Vas you dere 2
l. A half growl from below answered him
"What ye want ?"
10 al vas SICK Mr.. Brce-l vas so hot a
s. neifer vas. [ want leetle water, Mr.. Brice
h if you please, Mr.. Brice,"
"What the" then came an oath. Lii
J. still, ye Dutch fool, and I'll bring ye som
water. DON'T come here"
80, no, Mr.. Brice But some water, NJ
d Brice, for Gods sake ? | vas burned VI
ii alifel"
N There was moving about the room,
patter of dipper and pail, and Price al
10 preached the ladder. Densmore breathe
)" hard. The steps grew nearer and nearer
they mounted the ladder. He crouchet
is waiting. An instant more and the bearde
ly face of Price appeared above the opening
N the floor, and his right hand was raise'
A holding tin cup of water
"Here Dutchy-ye're cursed hard to tab
l care of-here's yer drink"
y Carls arm was outstretched; but as
touched the dipper, there came sharp clicl
III and the handcuff closed about the wrist {
the coiner, and, at the same time, the col
as muzzle of heavy Colts revolver presse
y against his forehead, and the voice of th
IN detective hissed in his very ear;
a "Not sound, or I'll kill you Up wit
IS, your other hand"
Q. The man was fairly caught, and he kne
it. The color fled from his bronzsd fac
It. leaving it ashen-hued; cold sweat gatl
to cred in beads upon his brow; the priso
tn doors yawned before him; but one glanc
ne into the deep eyes of the detective wer
w enough, and with shudder and groan
e. his other wrist.
"And now go down; without noise, too
''s said Densmore, "or-"
or Price obeyed and as he turned upon ii
I'd floor below, the detective was at his side.
ne "Sit there" and he pointed towards IL
d. table, "with your back to the door ?"
y, Again the coiner obeyed bowing his hea
" upon his hands. Then Densmore crept
et the trap, closed it, and sho. the heavy bolt
tn Without raising his head, Price whi
pered:
e "Theyll smother"
lis "They must run their chances" replie
re Densmore, coldly.
So saying, he crept near TO the cabi
st, door, and waited. lie must have the woma
er the spy the last and best of all the gang.
ye The moments passed; the hour was dra'
tn ing to a close, and the detective listene
ng with bated breath for his coming victir
when suddenly, without sound, the do
nd opened, and Nettie entered. As she did {
on Densmore stepped forward, and would hay
laid his hand upon her shoulder, but, in
single glance, the girl comprehended a
he and with wild shrek she sprang fro
he him, the dies dropping from her arms as 81
at, did So while Price started from his seat al
Joined her. Aud then again the detecti'
nd found himself facing his enemies, one
them now armed, for the woman had draw
ID, pistol.
wv But there was no struggle. With nerv
at tense as steel, and deadly light in the clea
ie, blue eyes, Carl leveled mis- heavy weapon
lc- one at each of the figures before him, and
he low, cool tones said
ed Cup with your hands In the name
the national government, | arrest you
counterfeiters Quick !"
X The last word was addressed to the woma
I'd, for in her eyes, too, there cleaned DANCE
GUS light; but before the detective cou
he stay her, the pistol was turned, there rar
out sharp report, and FROM her side the
or welled the bright blood, spashing Il
Il wooden floor, and, with moaning cry, 81