Under His Thumb — page 47: what you’re looking at

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

si UNDER HIS THUMB. poe ae the same time, that a brother officer had said, in x answer to a query of his: 4 “That thin chap? He is the new detacaies that a has been waking snakes around here lately. Croly they call him. Strongest man in New York, so they say. A regular lion in weasel’s skin.’’ The policeman abruptly paused, and in a tone of respect exclaimed: ‘“I—I guess I did make a mistake, sir. That is, if you are Croly, the detective?” ‘‘.Tam Croly, the detective,’’ was the mild response. “You had no right to be so rough with the boy, and I thought it would be well to practically show you the effect of harsh usage. Did you like it?’’ “The lad struck me, and refused to submit to au- thority.’’ ‘“‘Tsaw nearly the whole affair, so you need not explain. The boy is plucky and wide awake. You tried to bulldoze him when you had no right to do so. He knew his rights, and stood up for them. That is the case in a nutshell. If you are not satisfied re- port the case at headquarters, and I will appear in | behalf of the boy.”’ “Let it go, sir—let it go,’ the policeman hastily said, adding: ‘“‘But I found him skulking in the basement, and I fancy he can tell us what has be- come of the missing foreman if he tries.’’ The policeman turned away, leaving Steve alone with Mr. Blain and the detective. The latter advanced and laid one hand upon the boy’s shoulder, saying, kindly: “You look as though you had seen rough hand- — ling, my lad.’’ Steve looked alertly into the face of the detective. — Only afew months since he had been picked up ~ -_ comicbook nee we