He left the room so abruptly that
Barnes never quite got over the weird impression that he squeezed
through that slender crack, and pulled it after him!
Many minutes passed before he turned on the light. The key of the box
was tied to the wire grip. With trembling fingers he inserted it in
the lock and opened the lid.... "A half-million dollars' worth of nice
little things," Sprouse had said!
He did not close his eyes that night. Daybreak found him lying in bed,
with the box under his pillow, a pistol at hand, and his eyes wide-
open. He was in a graver quandary than ever. Now that he had the
treasure in his possession, what was he to do with it? He did not dare
to leave it in the room, nor was it advisable to carry it about with
him. The discovery of the burglary in room 30 would result in a search
of the house, from top to bottom.
Cold perspiration started out on his brow. The situation was far from
being the happy one that he had anticipated.
He solved the breakfast problem by calling downstairs for a waiter and
ordering coffee and rolls and eggs sent up to his room. Singularly
enough the waiter solved the other and more disturbing problem for
him.
"SOME robbery last night," said that worthy, as he re-appeared with
the tray.
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