The Twin Detectives; or, The Robbers of the Tomb — page 170: what you’re looking at

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

THE TWIN DETECTIVES. 161 ‘¢ Well, she shall have the best of care and skillful medical attendance;. but of course if her time comes, she must go.” ** Yes; and I will know how to reward those who tend her in her last illness.” The words were spoken in a peculiar manner, and Mc- Lean’s blood ran cold as he saw the significant look that passed between the two villains. They would murder the woman! ‘* About how much would you consider a suitable reward for such loving care?” asked Story, carelessly. ‘‘ Five hundred dollars.” ‘* Not enough.” “One thousand.” ‘*'T'wo thousand would be little enough, and five hundred for board and medical attendance.” ‘* All right.” ~When McLean left the institution ie at once told Hall tie would have nothing more to do with him. Ihe other answered angrily, and they had a bitter quarrel. McLean was only a half-hearted villain. He trembled over the deeds of his bolder companion, | He was not able to break with him, however, and their friendship was renewed. When Hall got possession of his mother’s trunks he took them away to the house where he had a furnished room. It was an unpretending dwelling in Ninth street, near Broadway. _ He examined his mother’s luggage, and found the looked- for papers, which he at once destroyed. He found also the certiffcate of the death of **‘ Archibald — George Cuthbert,” and surmised the truth. This was the reason why his supposed mother had always treated him so coldly. He was not her son. He was furious over the deception that had been practiced “eomicbooks