The Rajah's Fortress — page 292: what you’re looking at

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

THE RAJAH'S FORTRESS. 277 lence, terminated by a sharp click that gave Guy a thrill of horror. He still stood like a statue, and presently a feel- ing of relief surged over him as he reflected that possibly it was Loyd or Jung who had undertaken to give the Chinaman a good scare for his impu- dence. But as the utter absurdity of this theory struck him, his fear returned tenfold. He turned back into the room, already feeling in imagination a brawny hand clutching his throat. He rubbed a match on the wall with shaking fingers and held it up. They were all there—all but Topee. With his eyes riveted on the doorway, he lit the lamp, and then bent over and shook Loyd’s arm, whispering hoarsely : ‘Get up, get up! We are in danger!’’ They were light sleepers, and Guy’s thrilling whisper brought them all to their feet in an instant. They reached for their arms and found none. ‘‘Where is my rifle?’’ demanded Loyd. ‘‘And mine? and mine?’’ cried Carew and Vance, while Jung vainly tossed about the rugs. Guy folded his arms and leaned against the table. ‘It’s no use,’’ he said, huskily. ‘‘We’re lost. There is not even a knife or a revolver left, so we may as well submit calmly. The scoundrels are in the next room now,’’ and he motioned toward the treasure chamber. They stared helplessly at each other’s pale faces, expecting every second to see the curtains flung back and the foe rush in. Topee’s absence they did not at first discover. A minute dragged on, each second like an eter- nity, but all was silent. Theattack failed to come. ‘“What does it mean?’’ said Loyd, snatching the COLUM 1OOO SS co