Under His Thumb — page 215: what you’re looking at

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

206 UNDER HIS THUMB. . apartments in good season the next morning; then the boy detective went to his own lodgings. —_Croly had scarcely left his boy assistant out of sight, when he was once more startled by cries and the sound of hurrying feet from a point near at hand. Hastening to the spot, he saw two policemen. clinging to a prisoner, while near them stood two oirls, one of whom threatened the officers with a leveled revolver. He recognized each member of the group upon the instant. The prisoner was Carl Brandon; the one defending him Stella; and her companion, Katie Byrnes, the faithful Irish girl. Croly stepped into their midst, and sternly de- manded: ‘What is the meaning of this?’’ “We have got the murderer of Hiram Waldron, that is all. Ahead of you scientific detectives, you see,’’ replied one of the policemen. ‘‘He is innocent! You shall not take him away!’ cried Stella, her dark eyes flashing with resolute zeal. Croly turned to the officer, and in a low, quiet tone said: ‘Release thisman. He just saved my life, as I can easily prove. He is no more a murderer than I am. Let him go, and I will be responsible for his appear- ance should he be needed. ‘And to-morrow I will let you pull in the real culprit.’’ The policemen knew Croly too well to doubt his — statement. They thought he might be misled by wild-cat clews; but they were aware that he was a man of his word. | “Tf you will be responsible we’ll take our chances, that is all. We have orders to give in to the detec- tives every time, so I suppose we have got to do so,” ~ said the policeman, After some parleying the officer released Brandon and walked away. “This is no time for thanks,’’ said Croly, as both the vagabond and his daughter seized his hand and began to pour out their gratitude. And the detec- tive added, in his gentlest tone: “‘I owe this man — eEomicbooks.cot