He dropped the burned-out end of the match, and, thrusting in an arm, lifted out the bag.

As he placed it on the floor the muffled click of metal smote on his ear.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead, with a sense of relief.

He had risked too much to go away empty-handed.
He tore at the carefully knotted cord, first with his fingers and then with his teeth.

It was not so heavy as he had hoped it might be.