The detective laughed at the trembling culprit, whom he had so easily taken in. The broker was very pale, and his knees were so weak that it was with difficulty he managed to stand. Furman, on the other hand, seemed cool. “Come, give me your hand.” Nick opened the iron cuff as he approached Tom. At that moment Furman, who was behind him, sprang forward. The detective was prepared for this, and turning around, he dealt Sam a blow between the eyes with his pistol Butt, that stretched that gentleman upon the floor. Nick Carter placed the iron bracelet upon the broker’s wrist without much difficulty, although Smith struggled with all his strength to prevent him from doing so. Furman arose to his feet, and, before he had time to look around him, the other handcuff was slipped on him. “Well, you are a lovely pair, ain’t you?” said Nick, surveying his captives. “Let me go,” said Smith, “and I will give you all that is in the safe--nearly a quarter of a million in government bonds. Give me enough to take me out of the country, and you can have the rest.” Nick Carter laughed at him. The safe door was open, and the broker asked permission to close it. “I will attend to that,” said the detective; “you chaps can amuse yourselves in any manner you choose, while I am at work.” With an ordinary penknife Nick removed the screws holding the compartment containing the tumblers in place. It took him but a few minutes to set the lock on a new combination and replace it; then he closed the safe. Tom Smith was a most interested spectator. The broker felt that all was up with him. Had he reasoned, Tom would have known that his money could not be taken away from him. He had not stolen it, and, although he had made it by dishonest means, it was nevertheless his. When they reached the street a crowd gathered around the detective and his prisoners. Nick hailed a passing hack, and the party were driven to police headquarters. The detective explained fully to his chief the details of the case, and handed over to him the twenty thousand dollars; also the note he had received from Smith. The precious pair were brought before a police magistrate, and by him committed to the Tombs for attempted bribery. CHAPTER VIII. A DAY OF RECKONING. Hilton Field was first taken to Sands Point, but on a message from Elmer Greer, brought by the Jew, Moses, he was suddenly removed. The men in charge threw their captive into a small sailboat and headed for the Connecticut shore. The night was fine, but large cakes of ice were met with, which they had difficulty in avoiding. The rascals gave their captive an old suit of clothes and a heavy overcoat, and Mr. Field was quite comfortable, as concerned warmth. It was many hours before they made the shore, but finally, after several hours of groping along the coast, they reached the point at which they tried to disembark.