Under His Thumb — page 148: what you’re looking at

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

UNDER HIS THUMB. 139 “Tf you haven’t got a lot of queer things!’’ he ex- claimed, staring at the many curious objects with which the table and shelves were strewn. “T will describe and explain them to you pres- ently,’ said Croly, admiring the keen, observant olance of the lad. ‘‘But first,’? he continued, ‘‘I wish you to tell me what you have been doing. I told you to visit the printing-house last night, and see if you could discover anything about George Dyer. Did you succeed in doing’ so?”’ “I got into the buildin’, and I saw and heard something curious,’’ was the reply. “What did you see and hear?’’ Steve related his experiences in detail. The in- telligent eyes of the detective sparkled with eager- ness. | ‘‘And that is all?’ he questioned, as the boy ceased, having. recounted the incidents which we have given in the tenth and eleventh chapters of our SUOry. | | “That is all, sir,’? the boy answered. ‘So Dyer wished to send a communication to Mr. Blain, and dared not trust it in writing ?”’ “So it appears. And Clarence Blain didn’t care to take it, for fear of getting drunk and blabbing. I guess it was a mighty ’portant message, don’t you think so, mister?”’ “T should say it was. And another thing, I must find out what itis. I must see Clarence Blain—that is the first thing on the docket. Then I must experi- ment with my little clew, the bloody thumb-print. And if I don’t have somebody under my thumb one of these fine days, I shall miss my calculations, that is all. Now, let me give you some more directions, Steve. Keep your eyes and ears open, and see that. elev pallicel exexey <3 mn Eo