When this was done, they were not satisfied to search my clothes only, but took them away with them for further examination.
After returning me my light silk under-vest and drawers, they brought me a loose cowboy's dress, such as they wore themselves, and intimated that I must put it on.
It was no use demurring, so with a plaintive look at Sir Rupert, who, hardly able to repress his laughter, was still standing by, I did as I was bid.
"Now," proceeded the chief, "we have not found what we want about your person, Mr. Anstruther; we must look for it among your luggage."
He dangled my bunch of keys in his hand as he spoke. "Follow me, please."
The others closed round me and we went together to the luggage-car; here my luggage, which was fully marked with my name, was already set aside. They proceeded at once to thoroughly search each trunk, but replacing every article as they did so; loot was evidently not their object.
They came at last to the end of it; and the chief turned to me savagely.
"Carajo! Mr. Anstruther," he said, "you are playing with us. Do you refuse to tell us where this packet is?"
"Supposing I don't know?" I replied prevaricatingly, "supposing it is out of my power to tell you?"
"Then," he answered, with a savage oath, "we shall take you with us, and perhaps another besides, and hold you both as hostages until the packet is given up to us by somebody."