Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1900-01-26
iaman present in the private office, and

ton to-day, II possible.
Then he produced package from
small valise, and, opening it, disclosed
several bundles of bank-nOtes.
Benjaman watched them eagerly, and
his eyes famed with the light Of tri-
umph as Pratt proceeded to count the
money upon the table.
"You will find the amount all right,
think" he said, after running over the
bills, and he pushed them to Benjaman.
The aged Hebrew counted the money
carefully.
The amount is correct. Seventy
seven thousand dollars, he said.
The reader will remember that one
thousand dollars, according to Pratts
statement, had been paid to the mys-
terious man called "Garnar.
Benjaman, after counting the money,
snatched it up, and placed it in his safe;
Then, instead Of taking out the gold
to pay Pratt, he suddenly locked the
safe.and turned away.
Pratt's eyes were rlveted upon him,
and he did not understand the meaning
of this.
a thought you said the gold was in
the safe yonder, he said.
so it Is. But before paying 1t to you,
1 want you to sign this little document,
merely as matter of business and self
protection, in case anything unpleasant
should happen" said Benjamin, and
Pratt uttered an impatient oath, as the
old money-lender placed written paper
before him.
al have this day deposited with Ben
jaman & Son, seventy-seven thousand
dollars in bills, marked with d red W in
the corner of each note. Said notes are
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
Selling 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.
UioIuoU, Sdlu bllt -lChuOi'
There was screen across the office,
and, pushing it aside, he added:
These are my Witnesses!
Pratt recoiled with sudden exclama-
ton, as he beheld another Beniaman,
the exact counterpart OF the man to whom
he had paid the marked money, and four
OF 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 J"
turning to the Benjaman to whom he
had given the marked money.
Who are your" continued Pratt, adj
vancing threateningly.
Stand back!" shouted the other.
AS he spoke he suddenly removed
beard and wig, which he had worn to
impersonate Benjaman, and Paxton, the
detective, stood revealed.
At Stanmores 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 have
found the money stolen by John Oak
burns assassin. Daniel Pratt, you are
in situation of awful PERIL" said the
detective solemnly.
Involuntarily 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 hand 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 gentleman
who will hear your confession" said
Paxton, indicating Stanmore.
And who are you?" demanded the
broker.
Il am Donald Wayburn. The man
Stanmore.
Thus speaking he removed the snow
white beard and wig, which had given
him O 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"
"Yes. You are in my power Banja-
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. Paxton had closed it after STAN
mores entrance. and he now stood with
his back against 1t.
Il did not know the money was stolen.
l 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 Harland's note, raising it from
one to ten thousand dollars.
Pratt dropped into chair.
He saw that he was indeed entangled
in the tolls which Stanmore had cast
about him.
Stanmore whispered to Benjaman,
and then the money lender and his
clerks, who had been concealed behind