Under His Thumb — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

UN DER HIS THUMB. 17 “T did not know he had one in the ror i “You are his partner?” “Yes, sir.”’ ‘‘And didn’t know he had an enemy?” ‘I did not.” “That is queer, I declare. How long have you been in business together ?”’ | ‘For ten years.”’ ‘‘And I suppose you know each other rather inti- mately ?’’ “Of course. We were warm personal friends.”’ “Still you did not suspect that he had an enemy? Why, have you kept your eyes shut for ten years?”’ ‘‘Business men may be friends and still not pry into each other’s private affairs,’’ said Mr. Blain, a trifle sharply. Croly cast a peculiar glance toward the coroner’s deputy, and said: ‘‘T suppose, Mr. Blain, that you have no enemies?”’ ‘Tam not prepared to say, sir. I have intended to treat every one squarely, yet | may have uncon- sciously excited enmity.” The detectve stepped quietly forward, and tapped the rich man lightly upon the shoulder. ‘‘Let us understand each other, Mr. Blain,’’ he said, in his mild tones. As we have before stated, Julian Blain was the senior partner of the firm. He was one of the “‘solid’’ business men in New York, and it would be hard to find one whose Fe pUa HOD for integrity stood higher than his. He was wealthy and honored. He had held va- rious public offices, and, unlike many, he had not betrayed the trust reposed in him. He was called in all respects a “‘square’’ man. Eomicboo <s) (E (0) m