Under His Thumb — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

14. UNDER HIS THUMB. “*T think you can give valuable evidence at the in- quest, George.”’ There was no particular significance in the gentle- man’s tones. Mr. Blain was agitated, of course, and he had an abrupt way of saying things which was a trifle startling to a stranger. The young foreman quickly glanced up, his pallor deepening, and in an indignant tone, he exclaimed: “What do you mean, sir?”’ The tone, rather than the words, caused all pres- ent to fix their gaze upon his face. Mr. Blain hesitated an instant, and then, as though prompted by a sudden impulse, he said: “It was you who said, ‘Waldron has killed him- self!’ I heard the shout plainly, for I was coming up from the basement at the time the shot was fired. And it was your voice.”’ Mr. Blain did not, in the beginning, intend to make this accusation. Only at this moment had he been convinced that it was Dyer who had uttered the startling words. It was only the young man’s singular agitation that had given birth to the conviction. Dyer was silent a moment. His eyes blazed with a strange expression. The coroner’s deputy and the policemen continued to stare. “Do you accuse me?”’ Dyer then demanded. “Only of uttering the words I have repeated,” was the reply. ‘And if I did utter them?” ‘“‘Eixplain—that is all.’’ “I have nothing to say, sir.’ The young man cast a swift, furtive glance toward the officers. Then he turned away hastily, seemingly, at least, with the intention of flight. cS Comicboo (ele)