Detective Bob Bridger — page 221: what you’re looking at

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

214 DETECTIVE BOB BRIDGER, CHAPTER LITI. THE BURGLARY CONCLUDED. A moment later there was a dull, heavy explosion, which shook the house. — The burglars hastily re-entered the room. It was filled with smoke, and the odor of burned powder. The dark lantern’s rays were first directed toward Sammy Muggins on the bed, and next upon the safe. Sammy Muggins started like one in a nightmare when the explosion took place. His eyes half opened, and his heavy breathing ceased. He rolled over on his side, averting his face from toward the safe. Gradually the heavy breathing, indicating deep slumber, returned, and it became evident that Sammy had not been awakened. The powder had done its work well. The lower hinge and the locks of the safe had been burst asunder, and the massive door hung by its twisted upper hinge, with its one corner resting upon the old clothing on the floor. It was the work of a moment to lift aside the broken door. A thin, badly warped plate door which intervened was speedily removed, and a rich prize greeted the burglars’ eyes, and made them glisten through the black masks on their faces. They beheld a tier of broad open drawers filled to over flowing with watches, gold coins, jewelry, diamonds, and gems. Some articles were inclosed in paper, others in leather cases, and the confused mass, sparkling under the lan- tern’s rays, bade fair to prove a rich haul. The closed drawers of the safe were found to contain half a bushel of tightly packed bonds and bills, many being of large denomination. “What d’ye say now, Jack Weak-knees?” demanded - Goucher, with a wink and chuckle, as he proceeded to set forth the drawers upon the floor. | ‘‘Do you see any visible ‘swag?’?” he continued. “As — comicbooks.com >