Under His Thumb — page 66: what you’re looking at

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

UNDER HIS THUMB. o7 ‘“T suppose I can take any seat I choose, if it’s un- occupied. ’’ “Ye sot and stared at me till ye got me mad.”’ ‘“T had a right to do that, too.’’ ‘*‘T hate a dude, anyhow.”’ Ok I despise a big, blustering loafer. So we’re even.’ “Wait till I have a fair chance, and I’ll make ye take back them words.’’ Croly vouchsafed no reply. The train roared on its way, stopping at the frequent stations until Grand street was reached. There the detective alighted and descended to the street. He paid not the slightest attention to the ruffian; yet he knew that the latter also alighted, and that he dogged his footsteps as he hastened down the street. He was now penetrating one of the most lawless localities in the city. The appearance of the build- ings became less and less reputable. The day had been quite warm, and the sidewalks were thronged with ragged children, shabby women, and reckless- looking men, having emerged from the rookeries in the vicinity for a breath of fresh air. Well dressed people became more and more rare. At the corner of Jackson street a drunken fight was in progress. Croly gave the combatants a single glance, and then paused. One of them, although sadly intoxicated, yet pos- sessed an air of respectability, strangely contrasting with his surroundings. He was no better dressed than his assailant, who was a reckless-looking foreigner. But his face, as. EOmIicbooks €oO m