Under His Thumb — page 188: what you’re looking at

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

UNDER HIS THUMB. 179 wasn’t napping. That is the difference. Who told you to lay me out?”’ ‘IT did it on my own hook. 22 “You didn’t do it at all, that I can perceive. But somebody hired you to try—gave you ten dollars probably.” The man stared in consternation. ‘Who told you that?’’ he asked. ‘“Nobody, only I took you for one of those ten-dol- lar chaps. Now, who hired you?’’ ‘*T don’t know who it was.’’ “How did the man look?’’ ‘I didn’t see him.’’ ‘“Whom did you see?’’ “A little, wicked-looking wretch known as Spider.’’ Croly was instantly interested. He had encoun- tered this stange being once before, under peculiar circumstances, ass the reader will remember. The reader will also remember that Spider had declared that he was paid the sum of five dollars to lead the detective off the track. Croly had purchased the bill which Spider had produced in support of his de- claration, and expected to trace it to the one who had given it to the strange being. While he had used but little time in tracing the bill, he had met with success, although of an unex- pected character. The bank-note had been given to Spider by Carl Brandon, the fugitive and vagabond. So much was certain. And thus what promised to. be a useful clew amounted to naught. The detective, in crisp, eager tones, said: “Spider gave you ten dollars to entrap me, did he?’ “Yes,” ‘What did he wish you to do with me?’’ ‘Detain you here till he——”’ The man abruptly interrupted himself, and shut his lips in a way that seemed to declare: “I have said too much already.”’ Croly pressed the muzzle of the revolver yet more tightly against the man’s temple, and said: “You must finish that sentence, my man, and in just one minute’s time. Now, speak ! ge (a(oy allie exevoy <S