Fact is, I want your cash box, Perfessor, and any little articles of value you don't happen to be needin' for the moment." "I--I've got next to nothing," faltered Thunder.

"Most of my takings went in expenses." Mat Heeley's revolver hand became rigid, his grim mouth, tightened, his chin set itself in prognathous ugliness.
"You'll send your little girl for that cash box, Professor," he said coldly, "and you'll tell her to gather up any bits and pieces of jewellery and such like as would please me, and if the collection isn't a good one I'll maybe blow an arm off you, jist as a mark of my displeasure.

As for the rest, if you ain't good I'll riddle the brain-pan of one of yeh jist to convince the others that I mean business." Professor Thunder was quite convinced; he had not the slightest doubt but that Daniel meant business.

He gave Letitia his keys, and a few words of instruction, and the girl went to the caravan, and presently returned with the Professor's zinc cash box and a chamois-leather bag containing a few rings and chains belonging to himself and Madame.
Dan Heeley placed his revolver to his hand on the stump by his side, and took up the cash box, but the next instant he snatched at his revolver again, and turned it upon a large, ungainly figure, that loped out of the bush, and stood grinning and chattering where the firelight faded into gloom.

It was Mahdi the Missing Link, in full dress.
"What's that ?" demanded Heeley, fiercely.
The figure leaped about in a foolish way, and rolled on the grass in unwield play.