Under His Thumb — page 49: what you’re looking at

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

40 UNDER HIS THUMB. “You bet Ido. And if I knew who killed him, I’d get a bowie knife and a revolver and I'd be re- venged. I wish I could do suthin’. I wish I was a fly-cop !”’ | Croly placed both hands on the boy’s shoulders, and bent eagerly toward him. Steve could feel the wonderful power of the man’s gaze upon him. And, strangely enough, his boyish heart warmed with a sensation of confidence and liking for the detective. ‘“You can do something, my boy,’’ Croly declared, speaking in low, earnest accents. ‘‘You can help me to find the miscreant who murdered your noble friend. You can turn detective, my lad—as my as- sistant !’’ “Can Il? D’ye mean it, mister?’’ ‘‘Hush, not soloud. Detectives have to learn, as their first lesson, the art of keeping still. You must obey my instructions, and for the present do nothing except what I may direct.’’ 4% ‘“Well, what is the first thing I may do?’’ ‘Tell me where you have been since morning.’”’ The boy glanced toward the door, where Mr. Blain was standing, and in a low voice he said: ‘‘T’m willin’ to tell you anything you want to know, but I’d rather not say any HUD before others. You can tell ’em all yer please.”’ Croly spoke to Mr. Blain in a low tone; that gen- tleman nodded, and the detective and boy were shown into a small private office. ‘‘Now tell us your story,’’ said the detective, fac- ing the lad. Steve complied, omitting not a single detail. Whether Croly considered the matter important comicbooks.co