The Internet Detective Library — page 92: what you’re looking at

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

86 BELLOWS SURPRISED AND MYSTERIOUS. fully, followed along and took Stokes by the arm as they left the building. The others, surrounding Cadloo, were just in front. ‘‘VYou’ve got a cool head, Mr. Stokes,’’ remarked Bellows in an undertone. ‘‘Hev I?’ returned Stokes. ‘‘Ves. And I wanted to say two things to you.’’ ‘*Fire away.’’ ‘‘In the first place, I don’t want you to feel ugly about the way I interfered with you and the Esquimau. I didn’t know what was up, you see, and I admit now that I was mistaken and that you were just right; in fact, I admire your nerve and daring immensely.’’ ‘‘Oh, well! thet’s all right; say nothing more about it.” ‘‘T won’t, but this is the other thing. ’’ He halted and tapped Stokes on the clsest with his forefinger as he added: “T’ll make it worth your while if you find those missing papers. ”’ ‘‘T don’t suppose I know exactly what you mean,’’ Stokes responded, ‘‘but I’ve already told the men, who are more inter- ested in the papers than you are, that I would try to find them, and as I understand it, my arrangements are with them rather than with you. I don’t pretend to be a professional detective, and in any case, no extra compensation that you could offer would make me work any harder than I shall work now for the fun of it.’’ Bellows looked at him in the utmost astonishment. ‘‘Your language surprises me,’’ he said. ‘‘I thought you were a wild western, uneducated cowboy. And you certainly did not speak like that inside there. ’’ “Didn’t {?’’ Trim returned, with a grin. ‘‘Perhaps I didn’t, but you see, when I’m with Romans I do as Romans do, ‘‘What was it you were 7yoing to say to me?”’ Bellows still stared in astonishment at tie detective, evidently finding it hard to realize that the chap who could fight so des- perately and who was able to lead these rough men should at the . same time be capable of conversing like an educated gentleman. ‘“‘We won’t talk more about it now, Mr. Stokes,’’ said Bel- lows, presently, ’“‘but I want you to see me when you get through with this undertaking, and if you find thost papers I repeat that I’ll make it woeth your while.” jichbookseom boa had aw was and race whe arri the in ¢ m0" his not vac 6 nor dis ing