Old Specie, the Treasury Detective; or, The Harbor Lights of New York — page 54: what you’re looking at

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

46 OLD SPECIE. Then a new kind of road was struck. Talking became possible again, and Ben Bolt learned forward in his seat. “Vou don’t seem curious, Caddy.’’ “Well, Iam, but I say nothing.’”’ ‘“Caddy, bless me heart, man, I love ye for that kind of talk. Ye’re a wonderful man. Now, I don’t know why ye shouldn’t ask a few questions about this business, so pitch in. If so be I don’t choose to answer, either because I don’t know, or don’t choose to tell, no harm done.’’ “Certainly not, Ben. This here pretty maid ain’t dead, be she?’’ | 2°) reckon not.” ‘“Does he want her to be?”’ “Ye'll find that out soon enough.’’ *“Who’s the boss?’ ‘‘A wonderful man that knows the easiest way 0’ makin’ money in the world.” Old Specie started. Was this a mere accident, or did Ben mean it? ‘Seems to me I’ve seen him afore.’’ ‘'Where at?’’ ‘In Washington.’’ “Ah! when was you there?”’ “About five years ago—employed in the treasury building. I’m a war veteran, ye know, an’ fit along- side Farragut at Mobile.”’ | This was exactly true. Ben Bolt took it as he saw it, however. ‘‘Then I reckon ye left the treasury because it was healthy to get out—kinder coveted some of the piles — ye saw, eh?”’ ‘‘No insinuations on my honesty, Ben. I left be- cause it suited my convenience. Besides, I thought Gomicbooks