The Twin Detectives; or, The Robbers of the Tomb — page 34: what you’re looking at

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

THE TWIN DETECTIVES. 25 ‘¢ He may follow us to New York.” “Not may, but will!” ‘‘ Well, we will be as badly off then.” “No, we will not. Here he knows every step we take, every breath we draw; there we have as good a chance as he has, for we are strangers alike.” ‘But he will call upon some American detective to help him.” “What! Bob Brierly? That shows how little you know him. He is jealous of every member of his profession. He is hated in Scotland Yard by young and old. He elbows men out of business who were detectives when he was in long-clothes. He is as unscrupulous as he is keen, and has no more mercy or fellow-feeling for his brother officers than he has for criminals. A blood-hound all the way through, with no pity for friend or foe.” «“And you think he will be at a disadvantage in New York?” ‘©T know he will. He would rather lose the finest case he was ever detailed on than seek assistance from a rival in business. ‘<We will profit by this trait in his character.” ‘‘ Yes, it is our salvation. I am not afraid of any other man in the service.” «« And you think we have no chance here?” ‘None whatever. London is like a spider’s web to the detectives. They know ib through and through. LHvery hole and corner is open to their telescopic gaze. When a crime is committed they are on the alert till they catch some one. Just as a spider is when he hears the buzz of an un- fortunate fly. Sometimes they pounce on the wrong person. I wish I could mislead Brierly. I believe Ill try.” «And if you succeed?” «We'll get off, like the cuttle-fish, under cover of the inky cloud he creates.” * (E(0) nm