Under His Thumb — page 75: what you’re looking at

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

66 7 UNDER HIS THUMB. his back toward the entrance of the passage. But there was only one person hiding there. Whether that one was Carl Brandon, or the tall stranger who had followed him thither, the detective did not stop to debate. He had an opportunity, and he used it. Croly’s little form bounded into the passage, straight toward the crouching figure; and an instant later he was grappling with the unknown. The latter had gained his feet despite the sudden- ness of Croly’s attack. And the detective became speedily aware that his antagonist was fully his match in strength, agility, and skill. With locked arms and shut teeth the two men swayed to and fro, each exerting his powers to the utmost. Not a sound passed their lips save their hard,quick breathing; while the gloom was so dense that they could barely Sune each other’s out- lines. : For a full minute the struggle continued thus, - neither gaining a single point of advantage over his adversary. The stranger was a giant in proportions ; Croly was undersized. But it was training, rather | than bulk, that counted in a contest of this kind. —__ The stranger suddenly released his hold, and stepped back. Croly, with lightning-like quickest: | drew and leveled a revolver to checkmate what lie supposed to be a treacherous attempt on the part of his enemy. As he did so the place was dimly illumined by a small steady light. It came from a pocket lantern in the hand of the stranger. And simultaneously the — latter exclaimed: ‘As I suspected—Mr. Croly.”’ The latter stared at the dark, impassive face be-— fore him 1 in amazement. ‘comicbooks.com