They had planned the robbery, and he had walked straight into the trap set for him.
"Yes, I have a hundred dollars given to me for helping to catch the tiger; I was taking it home to my mother." "That's a good boy," commented the count; "always think of your mother, for the market isn't overstocked with first-class mothers.

But bear in mind, sonny, that we're only borering this for sixty days, and we'll give you ten per cent interest--that's our style of doing bus'ness, eh, Duke ?" "Well, if I must, I must," said Tom hopelessly, making a move of his hand as if to draw the money from his trousers pocket.
"That's right, allers take things philosophically, and be ready to extend a helping hand to them as"-- The count had got thus far in his observations, when the boy darted to one side, and made a desperate attempt to pass them and reach the fence on his right.
He came very nigh succeeding too.

In fact, he did get to the fence, and was in the act of clambering over, when he was seized in the iron grip of Count De Buffer, who was angered at the narrow escape of the youth making off with the funds.
"If you try anything like that agin, I'll kill you!" he said, choking and shaking the boy; "we mean bus'ness, young man, and don't you forget it!" Tom still struggled furiously, and pulled so hard that all three moved several paces along the highway.

Nor did he cease his resistance until he had been struck several cruel blows.
"Now fork over them funds!" commanded the count, when the panting lad was exhausted.
"I sha'n't do it!" was the sturdy reply.
"Very well; then we'll do it for you." The lad made no resistance, and the tramps searched him thoroughly from head to foot.

Not a penny was found on him.
"We ought to break your head for that trick," said the duke, "and if it had done you any good we'd do so; but we understand it.