Under His Thumb — page 40: what you’re looking at

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

% UNDER HIS THUMB. — sl handle of the door, wedging it in place with a block of wood. : Now he was satisfied that no ordinary effort from the other side could succeed in forcing admittance to the boiler-room. Once more he confronted Steve with the low ex- clamation: | ‘“‘Now let them take me if they can!’ The lad still maintained his coolness, although he realized that he was in danger. ‘““Do you expect to keep them out that way?’ the lad questioned. -*T can, for a time.’’ ‘‘And then what?’’ ‘Then they won’t find me here.’’ “What are you goin’ to do with me?’’ “That depends.’’ ‘‘Depends on what?”’’ “Whether you promise not to tell how I escaped. ’’ “Got a secret way to git out of here, have you?’’ “I have a way, yes.”’ Steve glanced swiftly around the room. But it was only dimly lighted, and he could detect no spot by which it was possible for a man to escape from the room save by the door. ‘“Do you promise?’’ Dyer repeated. “Supposin’ I do?’’ ‘I will leave you here, and when the officers break in you will be free.’’ “What shall I say to them ?”’ ‘“Make up any kind of a story you please.’’ ‘“Make up a lie, and help to hide a murderer, eh!”’ The young man clutched the boy’s arm more tightly again, and hoarsely said: Gomicboo gs) €oO m