It was the
one that Raffles had used for heavy plunder ever since I had known
him.
The bag was so heavy now that the secretary used both hands to get
it on the table. In another moment he had taken out the jewelled
belt presented to Maguire by the State of Nevada, the solid silver
statuette of himself, and the gold brick from the citizens of
Sacramento.
Either the sight of his treasures, so nearly lost, or the feeling
that the thief had dared to tamper with them after all., suddenly
infuriated Maguire to such an extent that he had bestowed a couple
of brutal kicks upon the senseless form of Raffles before the
secretary and I could interfere.
"Play light, Mr. Maguire!" cried the sallow secretary. "The man's
drugged, as well as down."
"He'll be lucky if he ever gets up, blight and blister him!"
"I should judge it about time to telephone for the police."
"Not till I've done with him. Wait till he comes to! I guess I'll
punch his face into a jam pudding! He shall wash down his teeth
with his blood before the coppers come in for what's left!"
"You make me feel quite ill," complained the grand lady in the
chair.
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