For Love or Gold? The Story of a Great Department Store — page 109: what you’re looking at

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

wero x, Ff higher ip ee eee nt a CHAPTER XXE" 500) cee A CHANGE IN MR. DENTON. “Well, Hardy what have you found out about the Wat- j kins family? Something satisfactory, I hope!” ae Mr. Forbes spoke to the detective with unusual good nature. © | : ‘pf eg a eobe 1 Se Rr - But Hardy closed the office door and advanced to, the desk where the superintendent was sitting. “On the contrary, sir; I have found things very unsat- — b isfactory,’ was his answer. ‘‘Watkins is in the hospital, half dead from brain fever, his mother is a feeble old woman without a penny, and as for that young scamp who stole your money, he’s among the missing—he’s vamoosed entirely!” “Well, why don’t you find him?” asked Mr. Forbes, a little less pleasantly. ‘‘That’s what I told you to do! Didn’t you understand my orders?” “T haven’t had time to find him,” muttered the detective, _ sullenly. ‘‘He’s been spirited away. I think he’s out of the city.” ba | “So you see no way of getting back that three hundred dollars. Well, there’s got to be a way! We can’t afford — to lose it!’ . “Lose what?” asked Mr. Denton, coming in just then, Mr. Forbes hastily repeated the detective’s information. “You say the mother is-penniless and young Watkins _ critically ill? Well, I should think that was trouble _ enough for one family,” said Mr. Denton slowly... “Mr. I wish you to drop the matter of the money completely.” _ “What!” fe Mr. Forbes wheeled around in his chair and stared at his partner. “T mean it,” said Mr. Denton, “and, what is more, [ command it! As senior partner of this firm I expect my _ orders to be respected!” Forbes, it is my wish that you should stop right here! — “ * “comicbooks.co oe EB et