Detective Bob Bridger — page 201: what you’re looking at

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

*S% ne ._ ee vas std ae # : 7. \ ‘s ‘ : oe .* a — * % v ~ ad ee 194 DETECTIVE BOB BRIDGER. “Why 9”) “The man was nearly dead with the consumption, and his troubles, and the overdose of liquor, will answer for the rest.” ‘“Where is the laudanum vial now ?” ‘‘T broke it to pieces amid the burning coals in the stove.” At this point the party of watchers entered the room from the hall-way. They found that the invalid had almost ceased to breathe ; huge beads of perspiration stood upon his forehead, nor could they arouse him from his stupor. Bridger looked into the stove to see if he might find bits of glass in evidence of the laudanum vial, but without avail. The form of the dying man was borne from the room and placed upon a sofa in the office. A physician was sent for, and the deputy hastened to procure a bowl of strong coffee. Meanwhile the Scotch detective continued his mesmeric examination. ‘Well, Pere,” he said, ‘‘we’ve only got to look after the girl now ?” “Yes; she must be got out of the way.” “Has there been any sign of suspicion since TORR old Godot’s death ?” ‘*None. 9 ‘“You remember the day of the murder ?” ‘Talk of something else. If you conjure up the sight of that old man with his gashed throat I wiil dream of it for a fortnight.” ‘“You know how I killed him ?” ‘Certainly. You cut his throat with the razor.” “But you urged me to it.” ‘““Yes; it was necessary.” ‘“You forged the paper that was accepted as his will, did you not?” “Certainly. But why do you ask such foolish ques- tions ?” Being anxious to learn the fate of the invalid, the Scotch detective here ended his mesmeric experiment. Removing the glass from the prisoner’s hand he placed it in his pocket, arose to his feet, and drew back his chair. As he did so Videre, with a start, awoke. For an instant his eyes glared wildly upon Fandon, then springing to his feet, he began to pace to and fro 1 in the room excitedly. comicbooks.co