Under His Thumb — page 204: what you’re looking at

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

UNDER HIS THUMB, 195 another detective who had befriended her once, and promised to stand by her at all times: Could it be that Croly, that handsome, brave, kind-voiced man, would prove treacherous. Hyjah, watching her countenance, seemed to read her thoughts; for, before she could respond to his inquiry, he said: “If you have fled from the city for your father’s ae protection, you have made a mistake. The best thing you can do is to return at once. Carl Brandon has gone back to his old haunts, and is in as great danger as ever.’ ‘‘Has he returned? Do not deceive me, sir!’’ Stella exclaimed, all her solicitude for her father’ s safety aroused. “*T would not deceive you, my poor girl. Tt. is my mission in life to aid, not inflict pain upon the unfor- tunate.’ ‘I believe you, sir. I will not distrust you. And I wish you would tell meif Mr. Croly, that cool, handsome detective, 1s also trustworthy ?”’ “Mr. Croly is a eentleman, and, although we are rivals upon this case, I can speak ‘of him only in the highest terms. He would stand by you as faithfully as a brother could do.’ The vagabond’s daughter covered her face with her hands, and for several moments did not speak ormove. As she stood thus a soft hand touched her cheek, and the sweet voice of Katie Byrnes said, close to her ear: ‘‘T believe we made a big mistake in running away from Mr. Croly and the Hindoo detective. They both seem to be kindmen. Let’s trust them, and if they’re mean enough to betray us to our enemies, I believe they will be punished some day as they deserve.” Stella quickly lifted her face, and impulsively ex- claimed: “Yes, we will go with you. Take us back to the city, and advise us what to do.’ “You shall not regret your decision,”’ Hyj ah quietly declared, and he led the way forth from the hut, in which they had so strangely met, eee BIB prisoner by the arm. e(oy paylicel exexo <S Eo mn