A Daughter of Delilah — page 119: what you’re looking at

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

110 ST. LEONAND’S FINE HAND. father would be home at five. He knew that he could de- pend upon that, for Jabez Alston was the soul of punctu- ality. He considered it quite as necessary to take his meals regularly, as to honor his notes at maturity. ‘‘T shall tackle him at once,’’ Edgar decided. ‘‘What is the use of deferring the battle?”’ | He called for his ulster, and saw Detective Hawkley standing in the door-way. ‘‘Eixcuse me for interrupting you, Mr. Alston,’’ Hawk- ley said. ““Well, sir?’’ There was fire in the young man’s eyes. ‘Tt wish that you would meet me on a more friendly footing. You may value my services some day—perhaps much sooner than you think.’’ ‘““You are a fool!’’ was the polite retort. ‘‘For Heaven’s sake let me alone.”’ ‘‘T rather fancy he is the greater fool of the two,’’ Mr. Hawkley thought to himself; then said, aloud: ‘“‘T have been waiting outside for you since half-past one, Mr. Alston.”’ : ‘‘Indeed! It is like your infernal impudence!’’ “T only wished to ask you the name of the gentleman who was in here with you some time since,’’ continued the detective, calmly. | ‘Oh, there is no doubt that he is your escaped convict, my sapient friend!’’ sneered Alston. ‘‘Why didn’t you lock him up on sight? See here, how much will you take to let me alone? I don’t wish to assault you, but by Heaven, I shall do so if you continue to dog my steps !’’ The detective laughed. }?? Gomicbooks