Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1895-02-28

olIs 4 Cdu taAo ouVu OhOel "uS uS""-
tage of even YOU at a time like this {!
That's all and good night
Bond. bond cried the king of the
corners, springing forward as he recoy-
cred from his momentary stupefaction,
Heaven prosper you for this! Bad as
I am. I hope I'll be able to give you
your reward for this if it's years to
come
A moment later the detective had
gons. He had sacrificed an opportunity
of adding enormously to his reputation.
It was q year later before the author.
tiles succeeded in discovering the "fac-
tory" where Vaughan and bis confed-
crates turned out the cleverly made
counterfeit coins which had so long been
passed with impunity in most quarters
OF the metropolis.
But after infinite trouble Bond found
out what he wanted to know, and one
night be surrounded with his men the
counterfeiters' den.
Bond got within q few feet Of the door
and was already thinking how neatly he
had managed everything, when, suddenly
and without the slightest warning, the
whole floor seemed to caye in beneath
his feet, and az he threw out his arms
with q startled cry, the trap be had un.
consciously sprung turned completely
over and threw him into a we'll lighted
cellar below. Before he could rise some
seven or eight men had seized him and
amidst q storm Of oatbs and threats,
bound him hand and foot despite bis
strenuous struggles.
YOU tools cried Bond exasperated
beyond measure. Let ME tell you the
game is up. My men surround this
place and this little joke will only make
matters great deal worse for you.
You'd better
Joke repeated one Of the coiners,
with a fierce laugh. Well. we'll see.
What say you, boys' What says our
oathT
Death to the trap who bowls us outV
answered q burlY, yillainous looking
fellow. surrounded we may be, but
what of that? Haven't We means for
getting away through the burn ow at the
fret alarmT
AYE, but not if we stand chucking
precious minutes away in empty talk
interrupted another Of the gang. Quick
palsI Here's an end to our snug little
business, and 80 let's make an end Of
this interfering sneak before we out.
The traps outside may smell rat if be
doesn't coon give EN- the cue.'
Without another word one Of the coin.
ers stepped up to the PROSTATE officer
and, with savage exclamation alipped
the moose Of a rope over Bonds head
and drew it uncomfortably tight round
bis neck. Another Of the desperate crew
at once threw the other end of the rope
over one of the beams which supported
the flooring above.
The detectiye now recognized to the
full extent the really serions nature of
his position; and. half dazed bv the
terrible calamity which had so suddenly
befallen him. was given up all hope OF
escape, when for the first time the leader
OF the gang-Michael Vsughan-him-
self spoke.
Leave him to me, lads, and get you
along while you may. There's not a
jiffy to lose. Harkl hear the trapslthey're
breaking in already
We don't 90 until we've choked the
life out Of the rat. Who's put 'em on
our trail? Run him up sharp and haye
him pleasant surprise to his friends,
replied one of the ruf6aas.
With these words the unfortunate
officer was jerked off his feet but at the
same moment Vaughan snatched up a
formidable knife and at a single stroke
severed the rope shove his head.
I'm with you. Mr.. Bond calculated
Vaughan. With grim determination
stamped upon his white face. AHA
see how my mutinous crew sink back
from your bulldog. And by all that's
lucky for US both, here come your me n
Another minutes delay and reckon il
would have gone bit hard for US both
Almost before be had finished speak
ing the long cellar like room became for
short space a scene Of desperate strug
CLING, the walls echoing q chorus ol
savage cries and shouts
OF all the membt rs Of the gang their
leader alone offered no resistance, but
lapsed into moody silence.
ONLY when the opportunity offered
did he whisper in the detectives ear -
'You see, haven't forgotten what
once promised, sir, although you only
had suasher's word for it. Perhaps
Won didn t know it. but I reckon you