Under His Thumb — page 194: what you’re looking at

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

UNDER HIS THUMB. ~ | 185 turbed. Then he returned to the court, and for a mo- ment listened intently.. All was quiet in the vicinity. A few lights gleamed dully from several windows; the tramp of many feet upon the sidewalk beyond was faintly audible. These were the only signs of life in the locality. Croly proceeded to fasten spurs upon the heels of - his boots to assist him in climbing’; then, once more making sure that he was not under surveillance, he began ascending the telegraph pole. This was not the first time that he had performed a similar feat. To so practiced an athlete it was not at all difficult, nor in itself dangerous. | He had nearly reached the projecting roof of the nearest building when he was thrilled by the sound of voices directly below. He instantly ceased climbing, and remained as motionless as though glued to the pole. It was now so dark in the court that not an object was visible. Still the voices sounded low, gruff, and distinct; and straining every sense, the detective caught a single query and its response from the unseen per- Sons. The first speaker asked: ‘Can you see where to strike?’’ And the other replied: ‘Plainly enough.”’ Before the significance of the vacate could other- wise fully present itself to the listening detective, it was impressed upon him in a most startling and un- expected manner. A slight, whirring sound, and then—thwack! Something had struck the base of the telephone pole with terrific force. The blow was swiftly fol- lowed by another, and another, until the detective felt his support totter away, and then descend with terrific force. (ale) Eomichbooks m