No one would have believed it, for the two gamblers would have been witnesses that he was so.
He had been placed in one corner of the room, so that what light there was would not fall on his face, and had anyone entered they would not have noticed that he was gagged.

One, indeed, had suggested that it would be better to lay him under one of the benches, but Black Jim said, with a brutal laugh: "No, no; it is better that we should keep sight of him, and if anyone asks a question of course we can say that the gentleman has the toothache." Presently Flash spoke to the ruffian in a low voice.
"Yes, I think you are right," he replied.

"Look here," he went on, raising his voice.

"There is no occasion to have such a lot in this business; Jake Watson, Bill the Tinker, and me are quite enough to carry him to his bed.

I reckon the rest had better make themselves scarce when the times comes, go home, and keep their mouths shut.