Under His Thumb — page 180: what you’re looking at

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

UNDER HIS THUMB, _ 171 Se consider it worthless, then ?’’ vid § peeks : ‘‘And consequently have no fear of me as arival?’’ “You are very sharp, and if you had anything like a reasonable clew to work on I should have my hands full to get ahead of you. You will learn not to put. confidence in sophistries.”’ Croly smiled, and quietly answered: ‘Perhaps I shall. But you must not believe me too gullible. I do not swallow everything that doesn’t happen to be a whale.. I’m much obliged to you for your caution, and | respect your skill even more than you think; still I shall try and swing my end of this case till somebody wins. If you come out ahead we'll shake hands. If I am the win- ner——”’ ‘“We will shake hands the same,’’ said Hyjah, as Croly hesitated. . Thus they parted. — Croly, the detective, hastened to the printing- house and entered the counting-room, which was open. Fe found Mr. Blain there before him, looking pale and hageard. After exchanging salutations, Mr. Blain said: ‘Tl hope you are making progress upon the case, Mr. Croly?’’ ‘““Oh, yes,’’ was the ready reply. : ae you suspect any person of the crime?’’ 74 8 Pe *“May I ask whom??’’ ‘“‘T would rather not speak names at this stage of my investigations. But I will allow you to infer what you please from that which I am about to say. I de- sire you to assist me in an experiment, and also to answer afew questions.”’ ‘““Go on, sir. Iam ready to do all in my power to aid you.”’ ‘i ave you lately met the vagabond, Carl Bran- on?’’ ‘“Yes, many times.”’ ‘Then you are perfectly familiar with his personal appearance and peculiarities?”’ Eomichbooks Go m