Under His Thumb — page 116: what you’re looking at

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

UNDER HIS THUMB. _ 107 many ‘“‘good turns’? from various sources, and he had no doubt of most of the accounts being true. Probably Brandon, the vagabond, had in this way made many friends among the lawless classes in the city. That the outcast would, upon occasion, befriend ° even a hideous dwarf like Spider was not improba- ble. Yet the detective had reason to disbelieve the particular statement so glibly uttered by the dwarf. ‘‘See here, Spider, what do you expect me. to do with you?’’ Croly demanded, in a stern voice. ‘I don’t know.”’ ‘“T shall arrest you for Sine in the flight of a criminal.’’ In emphasis of his threat, Croly produced a pair of handcuffs and made as though he would put them on without further parleying. ‘‘Don’t—don’t do that, mister,’’ cried the dwarf, betraying genuine alarm. “Then own up.”’ “What do you mean?’’ ‘Carl Brandon never befriended you in the man- ner you have described.’’ ““Who—who told you he did not?’’ “IT can tell when you are lying. I know that you are no friend of Brandon. Now confess, or I’ll take you to the police-station as sure as you live.” ~“Tadmitit. But I don’t see how you knew. I be- lieve you're one of them clairvoyants that read what — aman thinks.’’ “You will find me as good aclairvoyant as there is in the city,”’ Croly declared. This was true, although he claimed no supernatu- ral powers in the premises. Spider evidently believed in so- sailed clairvoy-_ (eo palicel exexey <S €oO m