To obtain time to form a plan, he parleyed a little.
"You want my money ?" he asked, appearing to be confused.
"Yes--and at once! Refuse, and I will kill you!" I won't pretend to deny that Joe's heart beat a little quicker than its wont.

He was thinking busily.

How could he attract Watson's attention?
"It's pretty hard, but I suppose I must," he answered.
"That's the way to talk." "Let me get up and I'll get it." Joe spoke so naturally that Rafferty suspected nothing.

He permitted our hero to rise, supposing that he was going for the money he demanded.
Joe knew exactly where Watson lay and went over to him.

He knelt down and drew out the revolver from beneath his head, at the same time pushing him, in the hope of arousing him.