"What--is that devilish stuff?" the latter queried. It was plain
from his voice that he meditated no treachery. "Oh! I was going
to tell you. It is a product of German ingenuity, designed, I
believe, for the purpose of quelling riotous and insurrectionary
prisoners. It was efficacious, also, in taking pill boxes and
clearing out dug-outs and the like. With some care one is safe in
using it in an ordinary ammonia gun--the sort policemen use on mad
dogs. Forgive me, if I say that you have demonstrated its utility
in peace as well as in war. If there were more high-jackers in the
world the device might be commercialized at some profit; but,
alas, my good Mallow, your profession is not a common one."

"Cut out the kidding," Mallow growled, then he fell into a new
convulsion of coughing. The car proceeded for some time to the
tune of smothered complaints from the miserable figures bouncing
upon the rear seat before Gray said: "I fear you are a selfish
pair of rascals. Have you no concern regarding the fate of the
third member of your treasure-hunting trio?" Evidently they had
none. "Too bad! It's a good story."

Whatever their indifference to the welfare of the chauffeur, they
still had some curiosity as to their own, for Mallow asked:

"What are you going to do with us?"

"What would you do, if you were in my place?"

"I'd--listen to reason."