The Prairie Detective: Secret Service Series No. 24 — page 70: what you’re looking at

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

68 THE PRAIRIE DETECTIVE. and turned a shade paler. But he was in no wise disconcerted, and managed to stammer out a re- sponse. ; | “Well, no. I can’t say that I did sleep very well. I was troubled with dreams.’’ Ryan was silent a moment, as if pondering on the reply. Dan stood close beside his partner, appar- ently a disinterested spectator, but in reality watch- ing with the keenest of glances the workings of Dick Hatfield’s cadaverous face. The scout retained his thoughtful mood only a minute. Then witha slow, drawling voice that was inexpressibly odd, he continued: ‘‘Dreams, hey? Wal, now, I wonder whata man could dream of, to make him look so ’tarnal outer sorts. Fire an’ brimstun! I should think nothin’ shorter’n a reg’ lar night-hoss could hev sich a effeck —say the dream 0’ a murder!” Again a change passed over the repulsive visage of the assassin. He cast one sharp glance into the face of his tormentor, but the'outlines were as rigid as marble, and he could as easily have penetrated a mask. It was only a coincidence, he thought, but he was impatient at the chaffing he was subjected to. “Is this all you have called me for?” he asked, with some asperity in his tones. Ryan suddenly became very serious. The smile died out of his expression instantaneously, and was replaced by a look of unpitying sternness. "No, Mister Hatfield,’ he said, slowly and with great distinctness. ‘“‘Thet war not quite all. I b’leve ~ ez how I said I wanted to show, ye summat. Pard- ner,’ he continued, addressing Dan, ‘“‘won’t ye be kind enough to h’ist thet blanket?” . The detective’s motion was as sudden and quick as cComicboo “, S) | re a om » ’ ae