The Rajah's Fortress — page 287: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

272 THE RAJAHS FORTRESS. the discovery of this vast store of wealth, the secre- tary in the corner was overlooked, and it was at To- pee’s suggestion that Guy gave orders to open it. It was a big, solid structure, made of teakwood, and fitted with brass trimmings and handles. The three lower drawers were easily forced open and contained nothing but a collection of old arms, a lot of ammunition, and several rolls of fine silk and satin. The upper part baffled them for a long while. No keys could be found in the place, Nana no doubt having them on his person, and the lock was a dou- ble one, and of most difficult and ingenious con- struction. Every one tried in turn to open it, but their efforts only resulted in snapping off short three or four of their saber blades. Finally Jung came forward with a short iron bar he had discovered, and getting a good leverage he pried the lock open by main force. The face of the secretary fell forward on hinges, revealing within a nest of drawers fitted with little brass knobs. There were four rows, and each row held eight drawers. There was a general crowding forward as Guy grasped the handle of the top drawer and pulled it open. A murmur of astonishment burst from all as it slid noiselessly out in his grasp to the length of a foot or more, for it was absolutely filled with loose rubies that glowed a dull red in the light from the lamp. ‘* They must be the stones stolen from the king,’’ said Guy, recalling to mind Topee’s strange tale. But their amazement knew no bounds when drawer after drawer being opened revealed the same precious burdens. There were literally quarts and quarts of rubies ranging in size from a pea to mag- CONMUC WOO SS co