Darke Darrell, the Boy Detective — page 80: what you’re looking at

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

DARKE DARRELL. 71 caps stood beside machinery; others sat on high stools, green cap-lids shading their eyes; others flitted hither and thither in padded slippers. Before Darke could take in half of the details he was con- fronted by two men, each with a hand on the revolver in his belt.. They seemed greatly surprised at seeing Darke. He boldly faced them trusting to his wits to help him through. ‘‘ What is your name?” demanded one of the men. “FB. G. Vanderbilt,” promptly answered Darke, giving the name on the mysterious card. ‘‘Where from?” ‘‘Shumwyck,” again depending on the mysterious card. The two men exchanged glances. «The countersign?’”’ demanded the challenger. ‘‘Precardo,” answered Darke, giving the name he had deciphered from the chalk markings on the door of the dungeon. The men saw that he possessed enough of their secret to make it probable that he was there as a friend. ‘*Who sent you?” asked the man who had not yet spoken. ‘¢ Pedro Cassandra,” boldly answered Darke. ‘¢ Pedro Cassandra is dead,” the man said. ‘‘ Yes,” substantiated Darke. ‘Tim Jordan is coming on with the body.” “You know Tim?” Darke winked knowingly. ‘«“What brought you here?” asked the first challenger. ‘¢T came on a mission,” answered Darke. “Of what character?” ‘<I must be wary,” cautiously answered Darke. ‘‘ The message may not be for you.” ‘For Fenton, probably,” the man said, half to himself. It was the only bit of information that Darke had re- ceived from them, and he at once availed himself of it. Quick as thought, and yet not without intense mental ap- Ecomichbooks (E(0)