Under His Thumb — page 179: what you’re looking at

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

170 UNDER HIS THUMB. They returned to the street. There, before part- ing, Hyjah said: “T will favor you with still further explanation, as it may be of use to you and no injury to my chances of success. I have metand talked with George Dyer, and he has given to me the name of — the person who shot Hiram Waldron. I forced him to make the statement, yet I do not feel sure it is correct. In fact, Iam convinced that it is not, and that Iam no nearer proving the culprit’s guilt than in the beginning. ’’ ‘“You think, then, that Dyer is mistaken ?’’ ‘‘T did not say that.’’ | “You are evidently following out a _ definite theory.’’ : “IT am following the slender thread of a clew which you overlooked. in your investigation. Slen- der as it is, however, I believe that it will defeat the sophistry in which you place so much confidence.’’ | The spectacled eyes.of Croly met those of the Hin- doo with penetrating keenness, while a slight flush tinged his smooth, pale cheeks. “To what sophistry do you refer?” he quickly — asked. ‘That of the lines on no two human thumbs being exactly alike, upon which your jealously guarded clew is based.”’ Croly was astonished to discover that Hyjah had fathomed his secret. He supposed that his theory and the strange clew were known to no man save himself. ? “TL hope you have not been spying upon me?’’ he exclaimed. | “Not at all.”’ ‘Then how did you know?”’’ | ‘‘How? I had my eyes open, thatis all. I saw that a piece had been cut from the window sash in — the counting-room where the murder took place. I knew that no one but a wide-awake detective would do such a thing. [have also heard of the theory about the lines on human thumbs. I confess that I ode tested it, because I did not think it worth while,’ see ‘comicbooks., _ + @F @ ) — - > - ‘>? - 3 Ess he