Under His Thumb — page 58: what you’re looking at

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

‘ UNDER HIS THUMB. ) 49 CHAPTER VII. A THRILLING ENCOUNTER. It was no wonder that Stella was startled by the remark of the detective. He spoke very quietly, yet with a nOdironeeE of tone that seemed like a menace. “You are mistaken, sir. It is impossible!’’ she gasped, her face growing deathly pale. “If I am mistaken it can be easily proved, if you are frank in the matter,’’ was the quiet response. Steve Lawton until this moment had been standing by without taking any part in the interview; but now he impetuously exclaimed: “She don’t know nothin’ ’bout the murder, mister —Jl’ll stake my head on that.’’ “IT can manage this part of the case, my boy; so don’t worry, and don’t jump at conclusions. The truth is a prize that cannot be won at a jump.” Croly turned to the trembling girl, and continued: ‘*Will you let me examine the weapon?” “Will you return it to me?’’ ‘““Certainly.”’ She reluctantly relinquished the weapon, which was an old one, of somewhat unusual pattern. It was a five-shot revolver, and there was a cartridge in each chamber of the cylinder. This fact would have baffled many detectives; but Croly quietly removed the cylinder, and placed his finger upon a carriage that appear ed much POE ne than the others, — “One shot has been fired to-day; that cartridge CS (ECO) payiicel exe) €o m