"Yes, but I might as well be without one. I have no means of loading it."
"What, then, do you propose to do?"
"That is not easy to decide."
"Can we secure the door in any way?"
"I can think of no way."
"We might put the bureau against it."
"Yes; I will consider whether that is best. It interposes only a temporary obstacle. Then Ralph and his companion may be armed, while we are not. The two would be more than a match for us."
"I suppose they would be satisfied if you would give up your money."
"Probably, but though the loss of the money would not seriously embarrass me—it is only five hundred dollars—I decidedly object to being robbed of it. By the way, have you a newspaper with you?"
"Yes, Mr. Grant. Here it is."