A League of Three: Boy's Detective Stratagems — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

ma A LEAGUE OF THREE. gs i me AY iw s . “You are a puir of scoundrels.” “Well, now, hear him, pard. Ain’t he getting up, eh? He tells us we are a pair of scoundrels, eh? Well, well,, according to our law we must impose a fine.” “And according to the law to which I abe you muge ‘Gollect it.” Ihe two tramps assumed a coaxing tone and said: “No; don’t, sonny, don’t; you must not invite hostili- ties. It’s wicked to fight; yes, it’s wicked.” “How do you know it’s wicked?” “The Bible says so.” “Does it?” ey OR.” “And the Bible says you must not steal.” “Weain’t going to steal. No, no; we only want te make a trade.” “Oh, come off!” Lhe tramps stared; they thought they had struck a poor country lad, and there their intended victim was using city slang. “ He’s a bad one, pard; hear his language.” “Yes, hear his language.” “We must take him to the spring.” “Yes, we must take him to the spring.” Number two tramp always repeated what number one t sald. “(Get out of here,” exclaimed Madie. “Tih?” “Get out of here. You fellers have no right here. Ing the owner as the first squatter. I want to go to sleep.” “Without paying for your lodging?” “Qh, come off.” “Hear him, pard; hear him.” “Yes, hear him.” “Let’s punish him.” (E@AAICElOeKe) - . 4 '? 1 ® : - i ’ re 5 ee) eee a et Peat : . : . ” —a a ait ca — ~~ oa ee os oe oe —————— OO —_—+—_— a : : i: : : =