Darke Darrell, the Boy Detective — page 48: what you’re looking at

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

DARKE DARRELL. __ 39 ~~, alarm on her face. She had heard the news, and was quite uneasy about Darke. Mr. Marks was busy, and so she was told to be seated. The last few months had wrought a great change in her, not only bringing her the comforts of life, but fullness and color to her cheeks, plumpness to her limbs, brilliancy to her eyes, strength to her voice. ‘She was seated so near tothe railing of Mr. Marks’ private office, that she could overhear what was said within without having to listen. The occupants were on a level with her eye, and-com- prised Mr. Marks and another gentleman, with gray hair and gray-glass spectacles, with bald crown and care-worn face, far past middle age, and a trifle hard of hearing, for he now and then curved the palm of his left hand just be- hind his left ear, Mr. Marks speaking louder than was his wont. "No tidings?” asked the elderly man, whose name was Stoddard. << None,” Mr. Marks answered. ‘¢ You have been assiduous?” ‘‘ Left no stone unturned.” «¢ Set some other men at work,” suggested Mr. Stoddard. ‘¢Of no avail,” and Mr. Marks shook his head. ‘“T don’t know,” demurred the other. ‘‘ Men’s organ- isms are not alike. Some are more apt. ‘hey don’t keep so much in beaten tracks.” ‘¢ A correct observation,” assented Mr. Marks. ‘‘ I didn’t say that I despaired, remember. I have a boy on the force. Tl set him at work.” A boy?” with a faint sneer. ‘<In years merely. He runs away from all the rest. He has come out ahead of me once or twice.” ‘‘He means Darke,” thought Mrs. Darrell, with motherly _ pride. Eomicbooks (E(0)