Under His Thumb — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

UNDER HIS THUMB 27 all. There was a window open in the building upon the other side of the court, and evidently the fugi- ~ tive escaped from the court in that direction.’’ Mr. Blain sprang to his feet in his eagerness. ‘Then that building must be searched and guarded. The wretch may be hiding there at this moment.” He would have rung an alarm had his hand not been arrested by the detective, who calmly said: “Wait—it is all right. I caused the place to be searched, very quietly, while the coroner was mak- ing his investigations here. And the place is now guarded. - But nothing was found.”’ Mr, Blain gazed at the detective with an expres- sion of admiration. “You keep your wits about you, I declare, Mr. Croly !’’ “I always find them handy in my business,’ the other dryly replied. Croly rose and added: ‘‘Have I your consent to search this building on my own account?”’ “You have, and to come and go at pleasure. A noble, Christian gentleman has been foully dealt with--a man whom I loved as a brother—and I wish no stone to remain unturned in the quest of the mur- derer !”’ Mr. Blain’s tones softened with emotion, and he earnestly added: “I shall depend upon you to solve this mystery, Mr. Croly.’’ At that moment both were startled by the sound of rapid footsteps outside the door, followed by the cry: “If yer lay a hand on me I—I’I] strike!”’ Eomicbooks mn co