The Internet Detective Library — page 90: what you’re looking at

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

84 BELLOWS SURPRISED AND MYSTERIOUS. ‘‘Perhaps i can straighten this out,’’ remarked Bellows, speak- ing for the first time since he had come in. ‘*T was a little way from here and I saw these two men having what looked like a fight. They came out from beyond the shadow of the building almost together, and one went down. Then Mr. Stokes grabbed the other by the collar and dragged him across the road, I was not afraid because I thought it was a case of some intoxicated white man abusing an Esquimau. I ean see that I was mistaken, for I don’t thir. ‘aere was any doubt, from what I heard since, that the Esqui+:e> had tried to kill this man,’’ Payton was sc angry and excited that it was all he could de@ to keep from attacking the Esquimau on the spot. ‘‘Let him alone,’’ said Stokes, coolly; ‘‘we’ll give him one more chance. The Esquimau looked as if he was afraid that his life was to be ended then and there, when Stokes sternly asked: ‘*Who toid you te shoot at me ?’’ This question surprised everybody in the room. They became deathby silent, weiting for the Esquimau’s answer. ‘*T shoot,’’ he miuttered after a restless glance around the rooir, ‘‘because I think you somebody else; I no know you; I think you somebody, that’s all.’’ “Who told you thar was somebody yere thet you ought to shoot ?’’ demanded Stokes again. The Esquimau shook his head and trembled so violently that he caught at the tabie for support. ‘‘Search him,’’ said Stokes, ‘‘an’ see ef he hes got the missin’ papers about him.’’ Payton and Fowler promptly executed the detective’s com- mand. They found nothing whatever about the Esquimau that con- nected him im any way with the robbery. ‘‘Let’s string the murderin’ galoot up 'thout any more tal) bout it,’’ eried Payton, exasperated by their failure to get the evidence they wished for. ‘*Not on your life!’’ exclaimed Stokes; ‘‘let him alone.’’ ‘*But such fellers hes mo )wasiness to live,’’ urged Payton. ‘’Thet’s right ’nough!’’ Stokes admitted, ‘but ef you want me to tak any hand in tryin’ to find those papers you must let this feller alone and don't ask me why, either.’’ He spoke so sternly that Payton made no further effort te excite his companions to a lynching. Hie was disappointed amd evidently could not see what Stokes was driving at, but his confidence in him was unsheken, ,oOOoOksSTEomM t 6 W I’ 1] held 46 I rec ine t H the ] the « case on tl T only Pe for secu ing, Fo shool ‘os start ing | some ““_ islanc “" a —- take | ee A eé Vy ler,’? — quiet is pro him t Come "FE, loo is It ¥ the bs LO eng Bel