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 Ada