"Now for a word with me," Ladds began.
"Cap'en," said Gilead Beck, "let me work through this contract, if you have no objection—Major Ruggles, you will clear out all your pockets."
The miserable man made no reply.
"Clear out every one, and turn them inside out, right away."
He neither moved nor spoke.
"Gentlemen," Mr. Beck said calmly, "you will be kind enough not to interfere."
He pulled a penknife out of his pocket and laid it on a chair open. He then seized Major Ruggles by the collar and arm. The man fought like a wild cat, but Beck's grasp was like a vice. It seemed incredible to the bystanders that a man should be so strong, so active, and so skilled. He tossed, rather than laid, his victim on the table, and then, holding both his hands in one grip of his own enormous fist, he deliberately ripped open the Major's trousers, waistcoat, and coat pockets, and took out the contents. When he was satisfied that nothing more was left in them he dragged him to the ground.
On the table lay the things which he had taken possession of.
"Take up those dice," he said to Ladds; "Try them; if they are not loaded, I will ask the Major's pardon."
They were loaded.