Under His Thumb — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

UNDER HIS THUMB. 19 the face of the detective, soho seemed not the least excited by that which had taken place. ““You must restrain your temper, sir,’’ Croly quietly remarked, while he waited for the other to regain his breath. Mr. Blain’s anger subsided as quickly as it had been aroused. “If you thought I was dacetemns you,’’*he said, speaking quite calmly, ‘‘you should have stated your. suspicions more courteously. ”’ ‘Then you would have denied their truth. Now you will admit it. You know that Mr. Waldron had | an enemy, and so have you. That enemy was a for- mer business partner of yours, whom you ‘crowded out’ of the partnership because he was dissipated and seemed likely to disgrace you. The man’s nhame is Carl Brandon, and he swore vengeance against you both. Am I not right?’’ Mr. Blain rose slowly to his feet, the flush of anger upon his face having given place to a shght pallor. “What you say is true,’’ he declared; ‘though Heaven only knows how you became possessed of the information. I supposed the secret was dead and buried. At all events, it can have nothing to do with this tragedy. Carl Brandon was a reckless man, but he would never do this.”’ ‘IT have not charged Brandon with the crime. But it is well to question every circumstance in the case, even to the graceful, closely vailed lady who called upon your partner early this morning. You saw this lady come and go, Mr. Blain. You do not think she could have instigated the murder ?’’ _ Mr. Blain’s visage turned to the hue of ashes, his lips trembled, and he clutched the arms of his chair as though for support. Eomicbooks (EO) m