“Why else should I make the request?” suggested Gratz with emotionless directness of speech and a momentary gleam of the eyes.
“Now,” exclaimed Gratz, when the various keys were placed in his hand, “you can sleep in peace to-night, and bolt your doors with all the assurance in the world, for I guarantee that your property will be undisturbed.”
Then turning to Robert, he said: “I want you to guide me for a short while, and as soon as I get my bearings you can retire.”
At this the two bade the thoroughly exhausted Raikes good-night and departed from the room, which the miser hastily secured with his usual precautions.
Without, Robert soon discovered that his services were no longer required, and at the suggestion of the detective he retired, after indicating to this curious official that when he had concluded his investigations he would find a cot in his room which he was at liberty to occupy.
As dawn began to make its appearance on the ensuing morning, Robert was disturbed by a curious dream.
He appeared to be alone upon a fragile raft in the midst of a destructive sea.
Bit by bit the hastily joined structure upon which he rode the waters so insecurely began to disintegrate, until but one scarcely sufficing plank remained.
To this, however, he clung with rapidly failing strength, shouting at intervals with what vim remained, in an attempt to attract the attention of the keepers of the light, not far away.