Under His Thumb — page 55: what you’re looking at

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

Ot FO ee ee eg fr a Le ee , = 87 . gai > ° s ‘6 sf. oe ‘ Yeo ve - - : - Sel 5h pein nie Sie ~ ions -¥ ar" e .<* . - : oe ed F 2. rs . ' i ; ) tae 4 7 Pt oe ey - 4 ' 7 . " id wp ; ! 4 |. 4 % Bec Soo: 46 UNDER HIS THUMB. the detective, who regarded her through his spec- ~ tacles with quiet interest. He did not seem in the least out of breath from his exertion. “T thought I would save you the trouble of shooting the wretch,’’ Croly coolly declared. And he added, in a tone of friendly interest: ‘*‘That fellow has an- noyed you before, has he not?”’ ‘‘A great many times,’’ she replied. ‘Is he the son of Mr. Blain?’’ “Yes, sir.”’ ‘Does the father uphold the son in persecuting his lady compositors in this _fashion?”’ ‘He minds nothing about it. Clarence Blain has always done as he pleased about everything.”’ “Not always, I think. Just now, for instance!” and Croly smiled. ‘“You must be very strong, sir,’’ the girl returned, regarding the stranger curiously. ‘‘And you are very resolute, miss,’’ he said, in re- ply. ‘“‘T stand up for my rights, that is all.’’ ‘You are an orphan, I take it?” ‘“‘T have no one to defend or look out for me.”’ “T didn’t ask youif you had friends. I asked if you were an orphan.”’ Stella eyed him with sudden suspicion. ‘You are a stranger, sir,’’ she retorted. ‘“‘Have you any objections to telling me if your parents are living?’’ Croly persisted. ‘‘T suppose Iam not obliged to answer the ques-_ tions of a curious stranger.”’ ‘“‘T see you do not wish to tell me. Never mind— lean find out. What is your name, please?’’ “Stella Gale.’’ comicbooks.co