“And did he get out?” asked one of the men, becoming interested.

“No, he did not.  I would not allow it.  I got two of the other men to tell the truth, and Davidson got twenty years.”

“And what of the other men?”

“One got scared and ran away and the authorities let him slide.  The other man was not prosecuted.  The rest of the gang, four of them, got from five to twelve years each.”

“Are you a government detective?”

“Not exactly, although I occasionally work for the government.  Here is another thing I want you two fellows to know.  The government has been hot-footed after your counterfeits ever since they were first marketed.”

“Humph, they ain’t found out much.”

“You are mistaken, they have found out a great deal.  I am only at one end of this game, and I must say I have put my foot into it bad.”

“That’s right,” commented Number Three.  He was a small-built man and evidently of a vicious temper.

“I am sorry in more ways than one,” continued the detective, not appearing to notice the interruption.  “I’d like to get out of this mess and get ahead of the other fellows working on this case.  It would mean great credit to me and a big reward besides.  The gang is bound to be rounded up very soon now, and when one or two are caught they’ll tell on the others.  If I could get somebody to help me out of this scrape, and put me next to the whole game, I’d pay him well and see that he got out with a whole skin in the bargain.”

“Look here, you can’t bribe me, so don’t try it!” growled Number Three.  “I’m in this game to a finish, see?  I never got caught yet and I don’t intend to begin now.”

“All counterfeiters get caught sooner or later.”

Adam Adams directed his words especially to Number Four, a big-boned young man, who was plainly nervous.  The fellow fumbled with his pipe but made no reply.

“I always help the man who helps me,” went on the detective.  “And I am so well known in my profession that my word counts for a great deal.  I can save a man if he will only put his trust in me.  I have done it many a time.”

“Ah, I don’t want to hear your fairy stories,” growled Number Three, but Number Four merely shrugged his shoulders, knocked his pipe clean and restored the article to his pocket.

The detective continued to talk, in a low and earnest manner.  He was really pleading for his life, for he realized that it was not Matlock Styles’ intention to let him escape again.  As soon as the counterfeiters were sure the coast was clear outside, they would turn again to the prisoner and settle his fate.

Thus an hour passed and then came a low whistle.  A minute later Matlock Styles entered the stone chamber.

“We’ll get to business again,” he said shortly.  “We have no time to spare.”

“What are you going to do next?” asked Number Four, and Adam Adams thought he detected a tremor in the tones.