Detective Bob Bridger — page 156: what you’re looking at

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

DETECTIVE BOB BRIDGER. 149 to dawn upon his diseased brain that had the Scotch detec- tive intended his arrest he would at once have clasped ‘manacles upon his wrists. It was not the prison, however, but the pillory and the lash, that he feared. He did not speak, but seemed to be reasoning, with all the brain power he possessed, and endeavoring to convince himself that he was not in danger of the dreaded “ cat.” ' Slowly his eyes, which had been fixed on Meg’s face, turned from her toward the Scotch detective. Then, for the first, he perceived Bridger as he emerged from the dark door-way, and, with a cry of terror, he started forward, fell upon his knees, clasped the Scotch de- tective’s right hand in both of his, and, with an imploring look, cried out: “There, Master Handon! there ’e is, too! ’e was with you in Millbank jail when I was flogged before. Don’t let them whip me! Don’t let them whip me! Don’t let them whip me !” “Billy,” said the Scotch detective, “did I ever tell you a lie?” ‘‘See-ree-go! Master Fandon! Don’t let them whip me!” “Did I not say to the magistrate in England that such as you should not be whipped ?” ‘““See-ree-go! Master Fandon !” ‘‘Did I not make the keeper, who flogged you at Muill- bank, lay it on lightly ?” ‘“See-ree-go! Master Fandon !” “And did he not do it?” “See ree-go, Master Fandon !” “Then, I tell you now, Billy, that I am your friend. There are men after you, in New York, but they don’t know you, and I won’t let them know you. It was the Jews’ fault that you went forth nights. So, do you just what Misses Meg says, and you shall go back in peace, and live at the hotel.” Glancing toward the door, at which the fierce mastiff continued to yelp savagely, Billy said : ~~ “Must I work for ’em to-night ?” “No,” returned the Scotch detective, pointing toward Bridger. “He and I will take eare of him.” “And didn’t I tell ye that same, ye villain! Get up wid ye now,’ said Meg, “for as soon as Detective Fandon and his friend get these Jews from our way we’re bound to a good hotel for supper,” Eomicboo cS €o