Detective Bob Bridger — page 130: what you’re looking at

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

DETECTIVE BOB BRIDGER, — la the arm, and drum into your head a proper method toward a gentleman who may, through accident, enter your place.” The fat landlord reddened in embarrassment, and was about to stammer forth an explanation, when the cause of © the misunderstanding suddenly dawned upon Bridger, and he roared in laughter. The two sleuth-hounds had neglected, on entering, to button their overcoats at the neck, and the blue shirts had ~ subjected them to the unusual scrutiny which they had experienced. “Sir,” said Bridger, ‘you will overlook the anger of my friend, when: we inform you that we have been so busy — since sunrise this morning, that we have been, to a degree, thoughtless in matters of dress. <A blue shirt, though hon- . est, I know, is not suited to the surroundings, but men in our line wear all sorts of shirts, and sometimes no shirts at all.” ) ) As Bridger spoke he displayed his badge. When the fat landlord perceived that his guests were de- tectives his sorrow that he had been so imprudent as to give them cause for anger, was evident, and his apologies were heartfelt and profuse. “Ve have often such unbleasant things in dis business vat you vould not believe,” he said, ‘and somedimes it git me tired I vas outside my own soul. Vrequently comes in decent mechanics, but because flashy, cheap chop houses - gives quality and price unreasonable small, vill make a kick at vat ve sharge. Nein, I begrudge no man his stomach- ful, but only I vould avoid droubles.” So saying he hastened away, and hurried up the waiter, who in a moment returned bearing the turvle soup and coffee. The two detectives had buttoned their coats to hide the blue shirts, but the Scotch detective was still angry, and sat moodily sipping the food. Noticing this the fat landlord again approached to renew his apologies. Beginning by inquiring if the soup suited, he continued : “Yes, I have frequently much droubles, and find dat I must keep dings to suit de fancy of dose beoples vat batron- ize me most, and whose ideas of mankindt vas government by de dress vat he vears. By de vay, vor eggsample, a quite funnv thing vat dakes place shust three nights ago I could give you. Business vas dull, and vas only von customers in de blace. He was an English shentlemans. (e() Eomicbooks