Under His Thumb — page 38: what you’re looking at

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

/ UNDER HIS THUMB. 29 ‘‘Because there is evidence against me. Quick— will you aid me or not?”’ “T ain’t goin’ to do nothin’ in the dark. I ain’t so fresh as all that.” | The boy half regretted his words the instant they were uttered, for Dyer glared upon him with such intense ferocity that he half feared he would use the weapon. | In that moment a horrible fear flashed upon the young apprentice. - Whatif George Dyer were, in truth, the murderer? | If he were capable of such a heartless crime, would he hesitate to strike down a boy wno stood in the way of escape? Steve shivered with sudden dread. But he did not try to escape. He only stared at his captor, and waited to see what the latter would do next. Dyer did not have the reputation of possessing a _ oreat stock of courage. Nor was he, ordinarily, a passionate fellow. Hence it seemed absurd to Steve to even suspect him of so bold a crime. Nearer drew the pursuing footsteps. George Dyer suddenly flung one hand over the boy’s mouth, and quickly lifted him in his arms. The young man was possessed of more than ordin- ary muscular power, and sik was utterly helpless in his arms. The foreman darted avough an open doorway, and deftly closed and locked the door. They were now in the great, silent press-room. Several lights glimmered faintly, and the large cylinder presses looked like silent monsters, petri- fied in the midst of their labors. Motionless pulleys and shafting; motionless belts, cS €oO Ecomicboo m