The Prairie Detective: Secret Service Series No. 24 — page 125: what you’re looking at

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

THE PRAIRIE DETECTIVE. 123 CHAPTER XII. A DARK DAY FOR THE PARTNERS. In the dim gray light of the morning Ryan and Dan looked at each other in despair. For a few mo- — ments they could see no outlet from the trap in which they were caught. Each had been more or less confused by the sudden awakening from peace- ful slumber, and neither fully recovered the perfect use of his faculties until after the Bloodsuckers left. Then as-their minds drifted over the other events connected with the imprisonment, little rays of hope began to burst through the thick clouds, and they could see faint chances for deliverance. As is frequently the case with men who have been _ associated with each other for any length of time, their thoughts ran in the same identical channel, and followed each other closely. Of course they could not communicate with each other, even by facial expressions. The broad bandages in which their mouths were swathed to prevent them from attract- ing possible aid, also served the purpose of checking — any contortions of the muscles. Sycamore Dan was bound with such exceeding firmness that he could not move a solitary muscle; and both men, as they stood with such enthrien ss erectness against the trees, presented a spectacle that was at once grotesque-and painful. Ryan had a slight advantage over his companion, for one of the thongs binding’ his ankles had become loosened a trifle, so that by the exercise of his great (ele) Fe ESA , comicboo SS)