Darke Darrell, the Boy Detective — page 49: what you’re looking at

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

40) - DARKE DARRELL. «¢ What baffles you?” asked Mr. Stoddard. ‘«‘Hyerything,” crisply replied Mr. Marks. ‘‘ Nota gleam of light, scarcely, If we could find that Deborah Dunn, the way would be opened up.” That had been Mrs. Darrell’s maiden name, and she gave such a start that she almost fell out of the chair. - Surprise overspread her face, and she furtively yet keenly scrutinized Mr. Stoddard. What mystery was under investigation upon which she could throw any light? Her walk in life had been utterly devoid of anything like romance. Mr. Marks pushed his papers on a heap, which Mr. Stod- dard understood to mean that the interview was at an end, so he quietly withdrew. ‘“Now is your time,” said the clerk at the nearest desk, looking at Mrs. Darrell, and nodding toward the private office. Mrs. Darrell entered it. Mr. Marks politely received her, and motioned her to be seated. ‘In what way can I serve you, madam,” blandly. “¢Tam Darke’s mother,” she said. «Qh, you are?” pleased to find her so lady-like. He arose and shook hands with her quite cordially. His esteem for Master Darke extended to Master Darke’s mother. 7 ‘“T should have made your acquaintance long ago,” he said, ‘‘but I have been so busy.” ““Hrom what Darke has told me, I infer that there is scarcely an hour you can call your own, ” Mrs. Darrell re- marked. ‘‘Scarcely a minute, ma’am. It is wearing me out. I am a perfect slave, and the public is a hard task-master. I feel like breaking away no matter how many interests may - suffer. You have called to inquire about your son?” “Yes,” eagerly, her eyes strained. ‘‘He left for New -comicbooks.com