Darke Darrell, the Boy Detective — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

~ DARKE DARRELL. | 19 ‘“Why, what an odd selection,” passing her wasted hard over her face. ‘‘Do you think you are smart enough? It is a profession surrounded with peril, abounding in tempta- tions, frequently realizing nothing but disappointment and shame.” | ‘If any business is mean, it is because we make it mean,” rejoined Darke. ‘I'll try it.” “‘T am afraid it will be years before they will give you any hazardous and profitable cases.” ‘That will depend very much upon myself,” replied Darke. ‘‘ My youth and stature shouldn’t be against me. ‘I’hey may favor me in many instances. Pluck and brains win, mother, and [’ve got both.” Early the next morning Darke went to the detective bureau. He swept the office and put everything in such excellent order that when Mr. Marks came in he smiled and nodded approval. | ; But ten o’clock came before he took any further notice of Darke; then he called him into his private office, a little compartment separated by a partition and heavy glass doors from the main room. _ Write your name and residence,” and Mr. Marks pushed a card toward him. Darke seized a pen and wrote as directed, in a clear, bold hand. ‘Quite good,” commented Mr. Marks. ‘‘ Your educa- tion has not been neglected. Are you an honest boy?” “‘T hope so,” and Darke’s cheek flushed. ‘It isn’t for me to say, quite.” Mr. Mark smiled. -*¢T’ll take your word,” he said. ‘* Master Darke, I pro- pose to test your keenness of observation this morning; also, the correctness of your deductions.” A pleasant flush crept across Darke’s face. Mr. Marks hurriedly wrote something on a card. Eomicbooks (€(0)