Under His Thumb — page 216: what you’re looking at

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

UNDER HIS THUMB, ee ae, more than he owes me, for he saved my life. He would not be convicted had he been tried for the crime with which he is suspected, because he is in- nocent, and we detectives do not allow innocent men to suffer for the cuilt of others. Another time we will talk the matter over. But to-night I wish you all to go to your homes and await to-morrow’s de- velopments.”’ Kor a few moments they lingered, eagerly discuss- ing the exciting events of the past hour. Forit was thus that the incidents culminated with which Stella, her companion, and Steve Lawton were concerned when we left them at the close of chapters twenty- six and seven. ‘Then they separated, Stella to think and dream of the cool, handsome detective, and Croly to make a final test of his clew—that strange clew in which no one but himself possessed any con- fidence. The test was made; and.one of the impressions in wax was identical in every line with the thumb-print in blood. The others differed. The test was care- -fuland elaborate. Now all that remained was to — prove that the clew implicated the guilty man. It was a little after nine o’clock of the next morn- ing when Croly sauntered up to the elegant residence of Mr. Blain. The latter had gone to the counting- room, and Croly, in no apparent haste, followed him thither. He was in his private office, and, pushing the office-boy aside, Croly made his way to that room which he had visited several times before. He flung open the door; was confronted by Julian Blain, and the latter, with a show of anger, de- manded: ‘Did the office-boy tell you I was here?”’ ‘‘No; I discovered your presence in another way,” was the calm reply. The detective closed the door, and quietly placed his back against it. Then he continued: “I bring important news, and I thought you would waive formalities in your natural interest.” — “What news?’’? Blain asked, sinking back upon his chair. _ “Thave solved the mystery of the printing-house EOMmIichbookKs: co m