To Ned's relief nothing happened. Either the light was too far away
or the gas had all been removed by the hose. But this relief was
quickly succeeded by another alarm. There had been no explosion,
but their financial means were now at the mercy of two thieves, and
he and his churn, bound and helpless, were powerless to protect
either themselves or their funds. There was nothing to be done but
to grin and bear it. For Ned's new leather money belt, containing
six hundred dollars in gold was stretched out conspicuously and at
full length on top of one of the two rows of glass bulbs in the
case.
"Lyin', as I thought," exclaimed Jellup. "Gimme' the light,
Domingo." And the chuckle that followed almost instantly was
indication enough that he had discovered the boys' small fortune.
"Dangerous, eh!" he laughed. "Now, we'll see if the city gits its
bond."
Then he paused as if a thought had entered his head.
"But, jest to keep the record clean, I reckon ye'd better give it to
me yerself, young 'un. Jack Jellup ain't no burglar. Loosen him
up, Domingo.
Pages:
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132