"Now how much is there in that safe, I wonder?" Sabatini asked.
"About thirteen hundred pounds—perhaps even more than that," Arnold told him.
Sabatini withdrew the hand which had been fumbling in his pocket. Arnold looked suddenly into the muzzle of a small, shining revolver.
"It was very foolish of you to give me that information," Sabatini said. "You have not forgotten our long conversation, I trust? I expounded to you most carefully the creed of my life. Five hundred pounds, if you please," he added, politely.
"Not one ha'penny," Arnold answered, seating himself upon the table and folding his arms.
"I'll give you until I count three," Sabatini announced, in a still, cold voice.
"You can give me as long as you like," Arnold retorted, pleasantly.
Sabatini very deliberately counted three and pulled the trigger of his revolver. There was a slight click. He looked down the muzzle of the weapon and, with a little sigh, thrust it back into his pocket.
"This appears to be one of my failures," he declared. "Lend me five shillings, then," he added. "I really came out without any silver and I must keep up my reputation. I positively cannot leave this office without loot of some sort."
Arnold handed his visitor two half-crowns, which the latter put gravely into his pocket.