For a moment, the shock of alarm had deprived him of thought and power of movement; but this passed, and he was able to consider his position.

He looked keenly into Slimy's face.

Had the man gone mad! His manner was scarcely consistent with that supposition.

As the alternative before him was of such a kind, Waymark could but choose the lesser evil.

He allowed Slimy to remove from his shoulders the satchel which contained the sums of money he had just collected.