Entering the state room, he made his way to Manton's door, determined as soon as possible, to possess himself of the treasure.
Procuring a bunch of skeleton keys, which he always carried with him, he endeavored to unlock the door.
Vain the effort; not one of the keys would answer.
The rascal then drew forth his penknife, and with some trouble contrived at last to pick the lock.
Entering and carefully shutting the door, he advanced to the chest, which he soon opened with the key belonging to it, found hanging up near the head of the berth Manton had occupied.
He drew forth the box, his eyes snapping with greed, his fingers itching to handle the glittering contents. The box was heavy, being made of iron and rather large, measuring about a foot in breadth and length.
An exultant grin crossed the man's face, giving to it an expression perfectly hideous, as, carefully closing the chest and locking it, he made his way back to his own apartment with the treasure box.
Arrived there, he held the box up before him, and examined it on all sides, but could discover no way to open it.
"Ay, ay," he muttered, "I see how it is. The box has a secret spring, which I must find before I can get at the treasure. A blasted fine way of savin' money. I'd like to feast my eyes upon them shiners again, but guess I'll wait until I get housed before I do so, as one never knows who be a-watchin' him, and my bein' discovered a-counting these pieces, might lead to unpleasant questioning."