The $500 Check — page 249: what you’re looking at

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

230 THE $500 CHECK. ‘* What sort of a looking man was he?’ Bert inquired. ‘* You ask me that ?’’ said Angelica, in sur- prise. ‘‘I thought you were a friend of his.”’ ‘*T never saw him in my life.’’ ‘‘That’s funny. Why then did ma intro- duce you as a friend of his ?”’ ‘“She thought me so. I am interested in finding him, that is all.”’ ‘* You are not a horrid detective, I hope? Has poor Mr. Harding committed a crime? Oh, tell me quick. You actually make me creep all over.’’ ‘*T don’t mean any harm, but his testimony is wanted ina law case. You haven’t told me about his appearance yet.”’ ‘‘Tve got his photograph, and will show it to you after supper.”’ ‘Oh, thank you!’’ said Bert, much pleased. ‘‘That is, if you are sure it won’t do him any harm. He used to talk to me very con- fidentially, and I can’t help liking him, even if he did get in debt to ma.”’ ‘*Perhaps he was unfortunate and couldn’t pay.” GOomMmichoo <S