was a pause, during which the secret service man took another
drink of liquor. He was plainly very nervous. With great
deliberation, Adam Adams drew from one pocket a pistol, and from
another a pair of handcuffs.

"The scene is ended, Mr. Watkins," he said coolly. "I want you to slip
on those and come with me." And he threw the handcuffs on the table,
and leveled the pistol at the fellow's head.

The man staggered and threw up his hands, half expecting a shot. He
suddenly began to tremble, as if with the ague.

"What do you mean? Wh--who are you?" he faltered.

"I am Adam Adams. I believe we have met before."

"Adams!" The secret service man sank back in an armchair. "And
you--you are here to arrest me?"

"Exactly. As I said before, the whole game is up. Inside of half an
hour you will be safe in prison, and then we shall round up such other
members of the gang as are still at large. Unless you want to make a
confession, you will have to stand trial for the murder of Mr. and Mrs.
Langmore."

"Never! I'll--I'll tell all I know, first!" The man's lips were white
and his eyes full of commingled rage and fear.

"You will make a clean and clear statement?"

"Yes."

"Clearing up the murder mystery?"

"Yes."

CHAPTER XXXI

LIGHT AT LAST--CONCLUSION

As soon as Adam Adams returned to Sidham he communicated with the chief
of police, and with several other persons, and also sent two telegrams
to New York. He tried to find Charles Vapp, but could not locate his
assistant.

The detective's plans were laid with care and he gave the posse of men
under him minute instructions as to what to do. In the midst of the
work Raymond and Tom Ostrello appeared.

"Let me go along," said Raymond. "I want to do my little towards
rounding that gang up."

"And so do I," came from the young commercial traveler.

"You may go as far as Styles' farm, if you wish," said Adam Adams.
"But why not look for Miss Langmore instead?"

At this Raymond's face grew troubled.

"We have looked everywhere--" he began.

"As you please."

It was not long after this that a portion of the party set out, to be
followed presently by the rest. The men did not keep together, but
scattered in a wide semicircle, and then in a circle, which completely
surrounded the Styles' farm, and the old mill, and its vicinity.

As they approached the farm they saw the man called Bart come out, and
walk towards the barn. He was promptly ar