The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-12-08

life or death. Morn anything, she's
got 10 be kept particular quiet, 60 let's
clear out and leave EN-; and. please
God, I'll see her again yet Yes. my
prince Of traps, you cap see what makes
me such q miserable coward. eh r
As II ashamed OF the tremor in his
speech. the coiner turned. aud taking
down his hat, crushed 1t upon his head.
and approached the door with rigid
countenance and twitching lips. APP
parently, he dared not trust himself TO
take even farewell look at his child.
But as Arnold Bond moved toward the
door also, his glance fell for an instant
upon the thin white face OF little Jess,
who had already fallen back exansted.
She was gazing steadily at her father,
who, however, kept, his face carefully
ayerted. The pititni, pleading express
sion in the sick child's eyes struck the
detective to the heart, for it was a look
which expressed more eloquently than
any words the bitter disappointment
she felt at seeing one she dearly loved
about to be taken from her this night
OF all nights.
The detective paused abruptly, hesi-
tated moment, and then the resolute
expression on his features softened sud-
denly, and he said. in half jocular
tone, to hide tho emotion he could not
entirely control:
"Stay, Vaughan, can't do it, after all.
l can't take such cruel advantage Of
even you at time like this! That's all,
and good nightW
Bond, Bond," cried the king OF coin.
ers, sprlnging forward as he recovered
from his monetary stupefaction,
Heaven prosper you for this! Bad as
1 am hope I'll be able togive you your
reward for this. II it's years to come.
A moment later the detective had
gone. He had sacrificed an opportunity
Of adding enormously to HIS reputation.
1t was year later before the authori-
ties succeeded in discovering tho fac
tory" where Vaughan and his conted-
crates turned out the cleverly made
counterfeit coins which had, for so long,
been passed with apparent IMMUNITY in
most quarters of the metropolis.
Arnold Boni had never seen the
king OF the Coiners" since that night
wheu the mere look Of sick child had
been sufficient to make him turn from
the stern path OF duty-an adva ntage
which the coiner naturally had been
quick to avail himself OF.
The verv perfection OF the false coins
told that Vaughan had not forsaEen his
dangerous calling; and the manner, too,
in which they were passed showed more
and more that the police had no ordi-
nary criminal to deal with.
But, after indefinite trouble, Bond had
found out all he had been wanting long
to know, and this night, or rather in the
early morning hours, he had surround
ed with his men the detached suburban
villa OF such irreproachable appearance,
and had himself succeeded in getting
into the house with skill that would
have made a practiced burglar look
with enyious establishment.
The clever detective was very de-
sirous, II possible, of capturing the
whole gang OF coiners at one raid, and
that, too, before they could do away
with the slightest trace OF their occupa-
ton. A laudable endeavor, but it was
a wish which was to bring him nearer
to death than he had ever been before.
Bond seemed to have the house to
himself. Down in the basement, how
ever, he could hear clinking noise
every now and then. and at frequent in
teryals the sound OF mems voices fioated
to his ears, accompanied by muttled
laughter.
Having satisfied himself, as far as he
dared, on several points, he finally be-
gan to creep with all care along the pas.
sage toward the front door, which he
could see was exceptionally we'll bolted
and barred.
He had gotten within few feet OF the
door, aud was already thinking how
neatly he had managed everything,
when suddenly and without the slight
est warning the whole floor seemed to
cave in beneath hisfeet, and as he threw
out his arms with startled cry the trap
he had uuconsciously turned completely
over and threw him into large, we'll
lighted cellar below. Before he conld
rise some seven or eight men had
seized him, and, amid storm OF oaths
and threats, bound hand aud foot, de-
spite his strenuous struggles.
"You foolsl" cried Bond. exasperated
beyond measure. 'Let me tell you the
game is up! My men surround the
place, and this little joke will only make
matters a good deal worse for you.
You'd batter"
"Joke!" repeated one OF the coiners,
with a fierce laugh. well, we'll see.
What say you boys? What says our
oath?"
death to the trap what bowls us
outw answered n burly, vitiainous.iook-
ing fellow. Surrounded we may be,
but what OF that2 Haven't We means
for getting awav through the burrow at
the first alarm?'
Without another word one OF the
coiners stepped up to tho PROSTATE Off.
Ger. and with q savage exclamation
slipped the moose OF rope over Bonds
head and drew it uncomfortably tight
around his neck. Another OF the des-
perate crow ut once threw the other
end Of the rope over one OF the beams
which supported the flooring above.
The detective now recognized to the
full extent the really serious nature OF
his position; and. half dazed by the ter
rible calamity which had so suddenly
befellen him, was giving up all hope,
when, for the first time, the leader OF
the gang-none other than Michael
Vaughan himself-spoke.
Leave him to me lads, and get you
all como while you may. All, there lie
not a iiffy to lose. Hark! Hear the
traps? They're breaking in already.
or with you ALL"
LET the dogs bark!" Missed one OF
the rullans, with course. "We don't
90 until we've choked the life out OF the
rat who put 'em on our trail. Run him
nm sharn. and leaYe him for a pleasant