"What's in
that package?" he said, with a sudden divination of Alan Hawke's
overmastering influence.
"A lot of valuable jewels," the sneaking ruffian answered. "If
you'll turn me loose, I'll now save what's dearer to you than all
this diamond stuff that I was sent for. I've watched you here for
three weeks. You're after the girl. By God! Hawkes got her now!"
"Do you speak the truth?" said Hardwicke. "If you deceive me, I'll
butcher you! Speak quickly! You've got just one chance to save
transportation for life now!"
The coward thief muttered: "The old man is on his way back from
St. Heliers, and Hawke's got a dozen French fellows to run the
girl off and perhaps 'do up' the old man. But he wanted this same
stuff. He's a downy cove!"
While Jack Blunt worked upon the lover's fears, "Prince Djiddin's"
hands, on an exploring tour, drew out a knife and two revolvers
from the captured burglar's wideawake coat. He picked up the bulky
bundle which the thief had dropped, and saw the bank seals of
Calcutta and the insurance labels thereon. "I'll give you a show.
Keep silent!" cried Hardwicke as he cut the cords on the fellow's
legs. Then grasping him by the neck, he dragged him bodily to the
door of the "Moonshee's" room, where he thrust him in. Then he
locked the door, and knocking on his own, induced the frightened
Janet Fairbarn to open at last. The poor woman screamed as "Prince
Djiddin" calmly said: "Go and rouse up the girls.
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