Detective Bob Bridger — page 54: what you’re looking at

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

DETECTIVE BOB BRIDGER. 47 I may meet Annette, and behold her mother’s features pictured on a living body. Deny me not, therefore, aught that you know concerning her, Detective Handon, for I am rich, and will add sums that you have not dreamed of to the reward that shall be yours if you aid me to tear remorse from my heart for the past, and to possess the care of the living.” : “The gold coins of the dream begin to float, you per- ceive,” said the Scotch detective aside to Bridger. “Listen, then,” he added, aloud, addressing the doctor, “and I will tell you of such meetings as I have had with Annette.” | “Meetings! Then you have met her?” “Yes, that I have, doctor, and right here I may state frankly that you are likely to have another case of love on your hands which you may not approve.” “You don’t mean, sir, that you and the girl are lovers?” “That is precisely what I mean.” “What! An aged man lke you in love with a young girl !” “Tam but seven years older than Annette,” returned the Scotch detective pulling the wig from his shapely head, and exposing his own glossy black hair. The old doctor started in surprise at the detective’s speedy transformation from old age to youth, and Fandon continued : You understand, doctor, detectives are forced to assume many characters, and play many roles in the way of busi- ness. They have even found it requisite to make love to girls and women to obtain desired secrets.” “And you mean to say that you have thus played upon _Annette’s affections, sir?” “I certainly did succeed in winning her affections in a purely professional manner, but she was so winning, so good, so beautiful, so different from all other maidens that _ I had met that I soon found myself drifting far beyond my professional balance and original intention. She is now my affianced wife, and I have followed to her rescue here under an accusation of murder, whereas I might stalk forth erect did I not regard her welfare as above my repu- tation asa detective. Butif you do not interrupt me fur- ther I will go on with my story. “Some while after the day, Bobe, we beheld that bright face peer from the car window as we stood by the switch, I learned from one of the ‘spotters’ under my charge that on several occasions he had noticed a neat, tidy, heavily EOmMmIIcbDoo cS Go