His arms were free, and he stretched them with exultation.
His ankles next demanded attention, but this was a much easier task.
"Now for revenge!" thought the tramp. "The boy shall rue this night's task, or my name is not Rudolph."
Whatever else he might do, he must secure the miser's gold. He had seen the hiding-place.
He removed the plank, and there, beneath him, visible in the moonlight, lay the much-coveted bags of golden treasure.
He rose from the floor, and, with the bags in his hand, jumped out of the still opened window.
But he was too late. Two strong men seized him, each by an arm, and said, sternly:
"You are our prisoner."
