Under His Thumb — page 149: what you’re looking at

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

140 UNDER HIS THUMB. you do not fall into the toils. I’ll risk you anywhere, if you only do not try to be too smart. That is the only trouble I ever have with boys in employing them to accomplish important missions. They often try to do more than they can carry out.”’ Croly followed with several minute directions, which he charged the boy to bear in mind. Then Steve went to his own lodgings to get some sleep, of which he was sorely in need. When the lad had gone, Croly proceeded to make several important preparations, the result of which was to be a test of his strange clew, the bloody thumb-print. During the entire day the detective remained in his laboratory, only going out for a hasty lunch dur- ing the time. Upon the next morning he made his way toward the mansion of Julian Blain. 3 As he ascended the steps he saw two men stand- ing upon the Pore engaged mn animated conversa- tion. One was the Hindoo detective, whose passive face contrasted strongly with the excited countenance of the other, who seemed stricken with mortal terror. The latter was Clarence Blain. comicbooks.com | t Weare.