After he had been locked in, Rudolph set about energetically to obtain release. He succeeded in raising himself to his feet, but as his ankles were tied together this did not do him much good. By main strength he tried to break the cords, but the only result was to chafe his wrists.
"What a fool I am," he exclaimed at length. "The old man must have some table-knives about somewhere. With these I can cut the cords."
It was not till some time had elapsed, however, that this very obvious thought came to him. Further time was consumed in finding the knives. When found, they--there were two--proved so dull that even if he had had free use of one of his hands it would not have been found easy to make them of service. But when added to this was the embarrassment of his fettered hands, it will not excite surprise that it required a long time to sever the tough cords which bound him. But success came at length.
His arms were free, and he stretched them with exultation.
His ankles next demanded attention, but this was a much easier task.
"Now for revenge!" thought the tramp. "The boy shall rue this night's task, or my name is not Rudolph."
Whatever else he might do, he must secure the miser's gold. He had seen the hiding-place.
He removed the plank, and there, beneath him, visible in the moonlight, lay the much-coveted bags of golden treasure.
He rose from the floor, and, with the bags in his hand, jumped out of the still opened window.
But he was too late. Two strong men seized him, each by an arm, and said, sternly:
[Illustration: Tony set to work with rapid hands to tie the prostrate tramp hand and foot.--(See page 73.)]
It was not until after Rudolph's seizure that Ben, who had followed the extemporized police, discovered the bags of gold in the hands of the tramp.
"Give me my money!" he shrieked, in excitement and anguish. "Don't let him carry it off."
"It's safe, Ben," said one of the captors. "But who would have supposed you had so much money?"
"The bags are pretty heavy," was the significant rejoinder. "Will you take two hundred dollars apiece for them?"
"Then it seems there is considerable after all. But never mind. Take them, and take better care of them hereafter."
Ben advanced with as much alacrity as he could summon in his weakness, and stooped to pick up the bags. He had got hold of them when the tramp, whose feet were unconfined, aimed a kick at him which completely upset him.