ple in and around this town,
and especially on that Matlock Styles. If you see any indications of his
running away, arrest him on the spot. Here is a list of the men to be
watched." Adam Adams brought out a slip of paper. Then he described the
old mill. "The counterfeiters' rendezvous is under that mill," he
continued. "They make folks think the place is haunted and Styles has
savage dogs on his farm near by, and that keeps the curious away. I want
you to watch the mill, too, if you can. But keep out of all danger. If
any of the gang try to trap you shoot them down, for if they catch you
they won't be apt to let you get away alive. If you wish get Strong to
help you."

"I understand, and I'll be on my guard," said the assistant.

After that the pair conversed for a quarter of an hour longer and then,
after making some changes in his disguise, Charles Vapp hurried from the
hotel and out into the darkness of what looked as if it would prove a
stormy night.

As soon as Vapp had gone, Adam Adams sat down and penned a brief note.
This he sent out by a hotel messenger, and then sank back in his easy
chair, to smoke and to meditate.

The detective had learned much, yet about certain things he was in the
dark as much as ever. The mysterious Number Four--he had not asked the
penitent for his name--had given him the names and addresses of fourteen
men connected with the band of counterfeiters. Eleven of these
individuals were makers of the bogus bank bills, and the other three
operated in the big cities, disposing of the "goods" in bulk to others,
who in their turn, fed the bad bills to the general public.

So far as Number Four knew, Matlock Styles was the head of the gang, but
the man had said there was another individual, to whom Styles often went
for advice. This man was considered to be very shrewd, but what his name
was there was no telling. Number Four ventured a guess that he might be
connected with the United States treasury department.

After his escape from the den, Adam Adams had gone to Stony Hill in
secret, and there verified Matlock Styles' story that the Englishman had
not been near the Langmore mansion during the time the murders were
committed. So, from that crime, at least, the counterfeiter was
apparently cleared.

But this only made the mystery connected with the counterfeits in the
safe so much deeper. Number Four had never mentioned Barry Langmore when
speaking of the members of the