These instructions complied with, Robert seated himself in the chair just vacated by the spinster, which provided his uncle an unobstructed view of the embonpoint and general aspect of well-being which were so obnoxious to the singular man on the bed.
“In the first place,” resumed Raikes weakly, “move the bed around so that I can see the register in the wall.”
The wondering Robert did as he was ordered.
“Take hold of the button that moves the valves and pull it toward you.”
Robert followed these instructions minutely, and to his astonishment and the miser’s consternation the radiator itself swung away from the wall.
“What!” cried the startled invalid as he beheld this confirmation of his fear that he had neglected to spring the catch that held the radiator on the occasion of the mishap which resulted in his confinement to the bed, “Look within. Is the inner compartment closed?”
“No!” replied Robert.
“My God!” groaned Raikes as he realized that his treasury had been thus unguarded during his illness. “Tell me how many bags there are.”
Robert removed them one by one, and deposited them on the table.
As the miser followed the movements of his nephew with anxious notation, a sigh of unutterable relief welled from the innermost depths of his bosom.