r; and then his
senses forsook him.

"Who is it?" came another call.

"That rascal who escaped!"

"It can't be--he is in the vault."

"Come, see for yourself. Quick!"

Three men came rushing to the spot, and the rowboat was hauled close to
the dock. The counterfeiters pounced upon Adam Adams, and by the time
he had recovered his senses, he was again a close prisoner. Then
Matlock Styles appeared.

"He is a wizard!" ejaculated the Englishman. "But he shall not get
away again! I'll guard him myself--until Number Four finishes him!"

CHAPTER XXVII

TOM OSTRELLO'S STORY

On the following evening, at exactly seven o'clock, an old man came to
the depot at Sidham and met the incoming train. He was rather feeble in
his movements and hobbled rather than walked to meet a man who came in
with a portfolio under his arm.

"Excuse me, but is this Mr. Granby?" he asked in a quavering voice.

"That's my name," said the new arrival, with a slight start.

"How are the sketches getting along? I hope you are making a good
picture of my daughter."

"Very good, I think, sir. If you will come to my room, I will show you
my proof."

"All right, sir," answered the old man.

The two men left the depot, and crossing the roadway, walked to a hotel
on the next block. They ascended to the third floor and made their way
to a fine apartment in the front. Here the door was locked, the curtains
drawn, and the gas was lit. Then both men removed wigs and false
whiskers, and there stood revealed Charles Vapp and Adam Adams.

"You are on time, I see," said the latter, as he dropped into an easy
chair and lit a cigar.

"Yes, I was lucky enough to get your telegram directly after it came in.
The trail took me near the office and Frank passed it to me."

"What of the man you have been following?"

"He is looking for you."

"Do you know the reason?"

"Yes. He has had several talks with Letty Bernard, and she has advised
him to speak to you, and tell you everything, whatever that may mean.
The girl told him that you could clear him."

"Humph! She takes a good deal for granted. Anything else?"

"Do you know that Margaret Langmore has disappeared?"

"So I heard, less than an hour ago."

"They say she ran away to escape trial."

"Perhaps so, but if she did she was out of her head. It is too bad, for
it complicates matters."

"By your telegram I see that you want me to turn to something else," went
on Charles