Under His Thumb — page 209: what you’re looking at

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

200 UNDER HIS THUMB. The detective glanced into’ the box, saw that — everything was as he had left it, and then thrust it — into an inner pocket. | | Then he turned to the dwarf, and said, in a voice full of terrible sternness: ‘‘Now you must tell me all you know about the murder of Hiram Waldron. All, remember,’’ “I know nothing about it, sir.”’ ‘Perhaps not. But you know who hired you to steal these clews from me.”’ ‘The man was disguised, so I didn’t know who he was.’’ ‘*“Was he short or tall?’’ “*Rather tall.’’ ‘“How much did he pay you?’’ ‘“A heap of money.’’ ‘“How much?’’ “Twenty-five dollars.’”’ ES : What did he say he wished you to steal from me?’’ ‘The thumb-prints that you had—one in blood and two others in wax.’’ ‘‘How did he know I had them?”’ ‘Somebody saw them, and told him.’’ “You told him, didn’t you? You were the spy. Now, own up.’’ ‘I was, mister. Oh, I’m pretty sharp.’’ ‘Did he tell you to decoy me to the house where I was attacked by that overgrown coward?”’ *‘He did.”’ , | “Can you tell me anything more about this affair?” par ti Bir: “Then I’ll leave you, for I have plenty to do. But first I will make sure that you do not spy upon me any more for an hour or two.”’’ . The detective proceeded, in spite of the dwarf’s appeals for mercy, to gag him, and bind his ankles together, and then lock him into the small room. Without further ado, Croly made his way cau- tiously from the building. cee Reaching the dark court where he had come so ~ near meeting his death, he paused to listen intently before going farther, ~ - * _ = > eh) Uae ae ES ae