Darke Darrell, the Boy Detective — page 30: what you’re looking at

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

DARKE DARRELL. 21 window.’ You see, my boy, you didn’t examine the out- side,” with a pinch at Darke’s cheeks. A faint smile of triumph curled Darke’s lips. ‘‘Sir, you will find that Jam right and yow wrong, with all deference to your skill and experience,” his tone positive yet respectful. ‘‘I did examine outside; I observed the same things which you observed more closely, for I came to the conclusion that the marks had not been made by either man or boy. I inquired at the cigar store across the way. A man had been in the side yard the evening before, with a hand-organ and monkey. ‘The lady in the cigar store saw the monkey climb up the vines and leader. The man couldn’t get him down without a good deal of scolding and tugging at the rope. The monkey broke the slat in the arbor, for the lady heard it crack.” Mr. Marks stared, rubbed the end of his nose, looked confused for a second or two, then tore up his own synopsis of observations, and placed Darke’s upon file instead. ‘©The investigation shall be based upon your observa- tions,” he was candid enough to say. ‘‘ You have exhibited more genius than I had given you credit for.” Before the close of three months Darke surprised Mr. Marks again. Darke had learned to telegraph by sound, and his weekly salary had been doubled. «There, Darke!” Mr. Marks suddenly exclaimed, one day, pointing out of the window. ‘ Follow that man!” ‘«¢ Which man?” and Darke was on his feet. -**Cane, red whiskers, crape on his hat, ribbed cassimer coat. Sharp!” _ Away Darke bounded. He caught up to the man, and kept close at his heels. The man entered a telegraph office, wrote off something, handed it to the operator, together with the money, and said: | Eomicbooks (€(0)