ld mine of their own, and to
save trouble make up their own stuff into sovereigns. Here, I want to
look at those poor chaps again."

The superintendent seemed disposed to bid him let them be, but he was
beginning to feel more and more confidence in his subordinate's brains,
and together they flashed the light over the ghastly faces.

"That's right," said the constable. "I know 'em well. It's the butler
and footman from next door. I've often seen 'em."

"Then I've got a theory now," said the superintendent, clapping his
subordinate on the shoulder. "You're right, I think, about their
coining their own gold, and they came back to town--you see, Dick, the
people of the house were out of town."

"Yes, been out some time. I know that."

"Well, they came back, and caught these two chaps breaking into the way
to their underground bank, and they treated them like burglars, and shot
them. Then there was a row; that lady you talk about wouldn't stand it;
you raised the alarm."

"And they've sloped. Ah, we ought to have had them, sir."

"Oh, we'll do it yet. They can't get away very far, my lad. Now then,
what are you thinking about now?"

"All those quids, sir. I'm sure I'm right now. Big swells like they
were, as I've often seen, with tip-top carriages and horses, wouldn't
coin their own gold even if they'd got a mine. They're a gang of
coiners, sir, and so you'll see. Got one of the sovs., sir?"

"No."

"Then take one of those little bars, and have that examined."

The superintendent picked up one of the ingots, looked at it intently
and shook his head.

"Ah, you can't tell by that, sir," said his subordinate. "I say, look,
sir; they've had the electric light. I wonder where they turn it on."

The place was soon found, the stud pressed, and about a dozen glass
bulbs shed a beautifully soft light through the arched place.

"Good gold; a big sum of money in ingots, my lad," said the inspector,
jingling two bars together and producing a musical sound. "Here, stop!
I must have all these in that strong closet before we go--and double my
sentries," he muttered. "Why, there must be thousands of pounds' worth
lying here."

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR.

A SHARP SHOCK.

As Chester entered the room, and found himself face to face with the
woman he had so cruelly used, he involuntarily caught Marion's arm,
placed it beneath his own, and drew a deep breath as if prepared to
defend her against any attack.