The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-09-25
old money:lender placed q written paper

delivered by me to Benjaman and Com
pany in pursuance Of an agreement
whereby Benjaman is to loan me thirty
seven thousand five hundred dollars,
and hold this money as security for the
same"
Pratt read the paper carefully.
Then he said:
Very well, I'll sign this for you;" and
seizing the pen, he appended his sigma
ture in dashing hand.
Now, then, give me the gold
"One moment, please"
What now?" demanded Pratt, with
an impatient oath. :
Il want to introduce you to these gen.
tlemen," said the money-lender.
There was screen across the office,
and, pushing it aside, he added:
These are my witnesses ]" !;
Pratt recoiled with sudden exclama-
tion, as he beheld another Benjaman,
the exact counterpart of the man to whom
he had paid the marked money, and four
uf Benjaman's clerks, who had been
concealed behind the screen. !!
Pratt glanced in amazement from the
man to whom he had paid the marked
money, to the other Benjaman. :.
What Internal trickery is this? If you
have betrayed me, I'll have your life"
turning to the Benjaman to whom he
had given the marked money.
WHO are you?" continued Pratt, ad-
vancing threateningly.
Stand back" shouted the other.
AS he spoke he suddenly removed
beard and wig, which he had worn to
lmpersonate Benjaman, and Paxton, the
detective, stood revealed.
At Stanmore's request the veteran
had assumed the character Of Benjaman
the moneylender. /.
Paxton, the detective!" exclaimed
Pratt; and gray pallor supplemented
the habitual flush of his red face.
Yes, I am Paxton; and at last I have
found the money stolen by John Oak
burns assassin. Daniel Pratt, you are
in a situation Of awful peril" said the
detective solemnly.
InvoluptariIy Pratt turned toward the
door, and there was in his mind half
formed resolution to make dash to
escape. But it was written that he
should not evade the hard Of justice
this time. The door opened, disclos-
ing Stanmore and two stalwart police
officers.
There Is no way Of escape, Pratt.
The game is up. Here is a gentleman
who will hear your confession" said
Paxton, indicating Stanmore.
And who are your" demanded the
broker.
Il am Donald Wayburn. The man
YOU ruined and drove into exile!" cried
Stanmore.
Thus speaking he removed the snow
white beard and wig, which had given
him a striking and venerable appear
ance, and handsome man, in the very
prime Of life was revealed.
Pratt staggered back until the wall
supported him, and he cried:
Trapped! betrayed"
man is but an agent of mine, and so are
Marks g. Book, and Judson, Kirk & Co.
All you owe them you really owe me-
said Stanmore calmly.
"Fiends and furies!" cried Pratt, in
impotent rage; and again he turned to-
ward the door.
If you attempt to leave this room,'
you will be arrested by Mr. Paxton on
the charge Of receiving stolen goods,
knowingly" :, ,, /
The police officers were outside the
door. Faxton had closed it after Stan
more's entrance. and he now stood with
his back against it.
Il did not know the money was stolen.
deny such knowledge, positively"
You forget you signed paper which
stated the money was marked, and the
facts OF the proposed transaction men
toned in the same document clearly
proves you knew it was not safe to use
the money"
"Overreached!" /
"Yes. But more than all this, can
prefer against you and sustain as well
the serious charge Of forgery. Evil
dence obtained from Sands, your for
mer clerk, who is now in the employ OF
Lawyer Saybrook, proves you altered
Stuart Harlands note, raising it from
one to ten thousand dollars.
Pratt dropped into chair.
He saw that no was indeed entangled
In the tolls which Stnnmore had cast
about him.
; Stanmore whispered to Benjaman,
and then the money lender and his
clerks, who had been concealed behind
the screen, withdrew. =:
What do you mean to do?" Pratt sud-
denly demanded. ,,
1T is in my power to send you to
prison, as you we'll know. You had no
mercy on me in days gone by, and now
I should be merciless toward you. But
I have resolved to offer you certain
terms, said Stanmore.
What are your conditions?" asked
Pratt, sullenly.
If YOU will reveal how the stolen
money came into your hands and fur
nish me with written confession that
I was duped and swindled, and which
will clearly prove my innocence Of all
knowledge that the speculation by which
I was ruined. and through which un-
Willingly holped to ruin others, was
swindle, I will spare you, said Stan
more.
Pratt was silent for a moment, while
bitter reflection filled his plotting brain.
Come, your answer. Will you make
terms or go to prison?"
Just then Pratt heard a peculiar
clicking" sound, and turning to Paxton
he saw the detective swapping the catch
of a pair Of handouts which he had
taken from his pocket.
The sight Of those manacles was very
suggestive, and Pratt realized lis situa-
ton more keenly than heretofore.
He uttered terrible oath, and then
exclaimed bitterly:
The game is up. I cave. You've
rot the upper hand this time and I'll do
what you require.
Stanmore's eyes sparkled, for this
was supreme moment of his life. The