“The doctors examined him and tore open his clothes. “Tom Templeton proved to be a _girl_. “The astonishment that was now depicted on every countenance was great indeed. “This girl had passed through college, and was first and most expert in everything, and for years lived undetected.” “But why should a girl have played the part of a lover?” said Captain Jack. “She did not play the part of a lover, as you will perceive. “Some time after this, my old flame was addressed by the son of the chief die-sinker at the mint. “I had suspicions for thinking that Tom Templeton (the girl) had a brother, who personified Miss Templeton. “This I proved. “They were used as spies by a band of coiners, and so well could these two children of the chief coiner counterfeit either male or female sex, that for years they carried on their traffic in base coin undetected; for, indeed, my father and many other merchants had often and often given notes for gold, and it was not until the gold was tried at the mint that any deception was discovered; but then it was too late to trace it back through the various merchants’ offices to the proper persons. “The reason Tom and her brother were sent to different schools was, that, they being so highly educated, they might afterwards prove all the more expert, and less likely to be detected.” “But what revenge had you?” asked Captain Jack. “I revealed what I had discovered to the chief of the coiners, and my silence was bought.” “And afterwards?” “Because I did not receive another consideration from them, I informed.” “I know you did. But you were too late; the birds had flown.” “How know you that?” asked Phillip. “Because I was one of the coiners myself then.” “You?” “Yes, me.” “I am astonished.” “You will be more so when you hear that the coiners not only now exist in the south of England, but that through them I heard of Farmer Bertram’s murder, and tracked you.” “Impossible!” “No, it isn’t. Here is a person who will explain all things,” said Captain Jack, rising and bowing to a thick-set, military-looking man, who entered. “Mr. Phillip Redgill, allow me to introduce you to a friend of mine,” “What name?” asked Phillip, colouring. “Colonel Blood!” said Captain Jack, with a demon-like sneer. “Betrayed!” sighed Phillip. “Yes; why not, you had no more money?” whispered Captain Jack, “so therefore I have no further use for you. It’s quite a common plan with detectives.” Then, addressing Colonel Blood in a different tone, he said, “I have fulfilled _my_ part of the bargain, Colonel, about the thirteen gibbets, and I hope—” “That I will do mine, eh, Captain Jack? Well, you need not fear; your death warrant shall not be signed yet at all events. But,” casting his eyes on Phillip, he said, “we have been a long, long time in tracing out your villanies, young man, for you are very old in crime. Captain Jack,” he said, pointing to Phillip, “follow me.”