Detective Bob Bridger — page 234: what you’re looking at

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

DETECTIVE BOB BRIDGER. 227 the Muggins’ burglary, Bridger could not perceive any motive for deception on his part. | He did not, however, wholly trust the man, but being well armed, and having no fear of Goucher or his gang within or without their den, he complied. On reaching the “den” Goucher entered at the side door, and Bridger followed. ‘‘My papers are in my office at the rear of the bar-room,” said the “King of the Ken,” as he led on toward the rear end of the dark hall-way. When he had advanced to within a few feet of a door which opened to the right at the end of the hall-way he 2 pie paused, and permitted Bridger to approach his side. “ Now, Bridger,” he said, “you can go in with me, or wait here until I get the package, as you please.” At that moment Bridger heard a slight creak in the floor at his rear, and became convinced that a man in his stock- ing feet was creeping up stealthily behind him. He attempted to pull forth his revolver, but before he could even glance about he received a heavy blow on the left side of the head. On the instant Goucher threw his full weight forward, and pushed the detective violently backward. As his body came in contact with the board partition at his rear the boards parted inward, and Bridger plunged helplessly backward into the dark depths of the trap he had once before so narrowly escaped. CHAPTER LVII. THE RED SLEUTH-HOUND ON THE WALL. Bridger plunged a distance of fifteen feet into the dark depths of the trap, and struck the moist, loose earth at its bottom squarely upon his back. He was stunned, but not rendered insensible, by the fall. The wound on the side of his head stung him a little, but otherwise the position in which his body fell seemed so comfortable that nature’s impulse bade him lay still for a time and recover his faculties. Pulling forth his pistols, the sleuth-hound remained idly lying as he had fallen, awaiting developments, and ready nee Se to “cut loose on anything that might show itse EOMIGHDOOKS. Eo m