Under His Thumb — page 163: what you’re looking at

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

154 UNDER HIS THUMB. father is involved in this crime it is bad enough for you. And I more than half suspect that he is.’’ Clarence Blain unlocked the door without a word, | and entered the mansion. Croly turned away, but was amazed to see a tall, shadowy form leaning against one of the pillars. It was the Hindoo detective. Croly bent his head forward, a scornful smile curl- ing his thin lips. ‘So this is your style of beating a rival—stealing his points while he does his work?” he exclaimed, a fine scorn in his tones. Hyjah’s impassive countenance did not change its expression as he met the other’s gaze, “You are mistaken, Mr. Croly,’’ was his calmly uttered reply. ‘*Do you deny that you came bath to listen ?’’ ‘*T certainly deny it.” ‘Then please explain your purpose. You must have overheard our interview whether you intended -todosoor not. So the result is the same.” ‘J overheard only a few remarks, and those were of no importance, Mr. Croly. The fact is, I had — pumped the young man pretty dry before you began. I think I got nearly all the points he had to give that were worth listening to. Of course, you and I both know that Julian Blain is not to be suspected.”’ Hyjah spoke with such quiet conviction that Croly. was again nonplused. Was the Hindoo really so far ahead of him in this case? The younger detec- tive realized that he must work hard to win his spurs in this race of skill. “Why did you return, then?’ Croly quietly asked. ‘To satisfy your curiosity upon a point which troubles you,” - comicbooks.com |