Darke Darrell, the Boy Detective — page 161: what you’re looking at

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

152 DARKE DARRELL. the center of the room, and burned dimly, which Darke considered much in his favor. The latter sat down in the shadows, and looked tired and stupid, though all the time taking a keen and accurate sur- vey of every one present. Soon he gave a little start, and a bright expression crossed his face, then disappeared. In an opposite corner, sat Jeff Potter. Darke was quite sure of that; he was almost as sure that Jeff knew some- thing about Tim Jordan’s movements. Jeff looked rather seedy, and seemed restless. On the little pine table in front of him were a glass of beer and a plate of crackers and cheese. ‘There was a vacant chair be-— hind him, and Darke glided unperceived into that. He leaned over toward Jeff and whispered the word: «* Precardo.” Jeff turned in quick surprise, expecting to see one of the , gang of counterfeiters and desperadoes with whom he was associated. | | Instead, he met the calm, penetrating eyes of Darke Darrell. His cheek blanched, and he made a movement to rise from his chair. 7 “Sit still, Jeff,” Darke quietly but meaningly said, giy- ing his companion a glimpse of the muzzle of his revolver. ‘“‘T am not looking for you, and so you have no occasion to be—be noisy,” with a little grin. ‘‘ That was mean of you, Jeff, to ‘blow’ on me when I had got into the den.” ‘“*] don’t think so,” Jeff answered, in an undertone. ‘‘I was not taking any risks.” ‘“But piled them on me,” and Darke smiled. “You went back on an old acquaintance.” ‘“‘ And would agin,” answered Jeff. “‘We’re not in the same line. I didn’t owe you anything, on the score of ac- quaintanceship.” ‘But left me your debtor,” rejoined Darke. “Jeff, I EComichooks.com