Detective Bob Bridger — page 187: what you’re looking at

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

180 DETECTIVE BOB BRIDGER. hic-chew !—for some years in India, and learned on my return to England thata girl who claims to be my long- lost daughter—family disagreement, you know—resided with some vulgar persons in America, or, bay Jove !—hic- chew ! hic-chew \—I should never have ventured to the vulgar country.” “Your aim is, then, to meet your daughter ?” “Precisely, sir. It was—hic-chew ! hic-chew !—arranged that I should meet the vulgar people who claim to have her in charge in Pittsburgh. But I suppose that—hic-chew ! hic-chew ! the same ruffians who have caused us to be de- tained. have also—hic-chew! hic-chew !—prevented their coming. And I assure you, sii, that so soon as I have my liberty, I propose to—hic-chew ! hic-chew !—accompany my agent to Washington, and after laying claim for heavy damages against the authorities of your State through the British Minister, I will—hic-chew! hic-chew! sail at once for England, and let the world know what a miserable blot on Christendom this vulgar—hic-chew! hic-chew !—land is !” The coroner was a patriotic citizen, and his face became as red as fire, his eyes flashed, and his huge fists doubled, as if he felt like crushing the dignified but insulting in- valid. At this point the Scotch detective asked if he mignt be permitted to ask the witness a question. Obtaining the coroner’s consent, he said: “Low bridge! Wilberforce J. St. Clair!” The dignified invalid started back, trembled violently, and fixed his eyes ina wild stare upon the Scotch detec- tive. The shock was only momentary, however, for like a veteran he.quickly rallied, and turning toward the coroner, demanded : “What means this paltry ruffian, sir?” CHAPTER XLV. THE INQUEST CONCLUDED. “We will now hear Pere Videre,” said the coroner. - The dignified invalid muttered something about the horrid atrocity and stupid barbarity of American institu- jions, and resumed his seat with a lofty and injured 04 and Pere Videre arose, and stepped forward, | > comicbooks.com