Under His Thumb — page 189: what you’re looking at

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

180 UNDER HIS THUMB. CHAPTER XXV. A THRILLING SITUATION, “ The big ruffian realized that the imprudent slip of his tongue had rendered further secrecy impossible. He must tell this determined detective something — —either the truth or so clever a falsehood that the other would not suspect it to be such. 3 ‘‘Unload the whole business, my man, or it will go hard with you,’’ said Croly, as the man hesitated, © cudgeling his brain for a plausible explanation of the remark which he had inadvertently made. “Spider knew you were coming here, and he wanted me to keep you busy till he could——’”’ — “Could what?’’ ‘*Hide.’’ “That won’t do—too thin altogether,” exclaimed | the detective, so sharply that the ruffian regretted — upon the instant the attempt to shield his employer further. Croly continued: “I see I shall have to shoot you, not fatally, but enough to stir up your conscience. There is no other way by which I can get you to speak the truth.’’ The detective made a movement as though he — really meditated carrying out his threat. The result was magical. The burly ruffian flung up both hands, and cried: — ‘“Mercy, mercy! Don’t shoot!’’ ‘You shall receive no mercy at my hands if you try to deceive me in so much asa word. Out with the truth, and the whole of it.’’ | The man eagerly exclaimed: . “I will tell you all. Spider wanted me to keep you here while he stole something of yours.” ‘While he stole something ?”’ ‘“That’s what he said, boss.’’ ‘What did he wish to steal?’’ comicbooks.com a ee Ce ce a h