The soldiers were looting the stone house of the counterfeiters. Bushels of counterfeit coin was seized and all the tools and dies in use.
It was a big haul, and not for years had so extensive a den as this been discovered.
But Captain Elmo was not satisfied.
The ringleader and indeed nearly all of the gang were at large.
Frank Reade, Jr., was desirous of effecting the capture of Bert Mason, as the villain’s identification was necessary to save the life of Benjamin Astley.
Captain Elmo was presented to Frank Reade, Jr., by Barney and the two men had a lively conversation.
“I have been looking for Mason for a long while!” declared Elmo. “It is lucky we happened to meet, for if I had caught him I should have hung him to the nearest tree, and then your man, Astley, would have remained unidentified.”
“Yet if we do not capture Mason, I fear my man is lost!” said Frank.
“You’re right; he is at large now at least.”
“Yes.”