Detective Bob Bridger — page 108: what you’re looking at

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

DETECTIVE BOB BRIDGER, 101 and as he heard it the Scotch detective almost forgot his roll of a “‘lush,” and started forward impulsively in his di- rection. Grasping him by the coat-tail, Bridger pulled him back and warned him to keep his senses. ‘‘Bobe,”’ whispered the Scotch detective, “‘I thought his features were familiar, and now that squeaking voice. What if he proves to be the ‘Squealer ?’ ” “Tf he does, it’s a great ‘lay,’ and worth care and patience. But what would bring him over the ocean 2” “What brought the Bolards here? But we’ll find out what or who he is.” ‘You don’t mean to say you don’t know me?” continued the roper. ‘‘No kidding now—look me square in the face.” The Englishman did so, and said : ‘*Well—hic—ye know, me friend—at all events I’m a gentleman, and I would—hic—dislike to say to a gentleman of your appearance, who’ says he has met me, that his looks impressed me so commonly that I have forgotten him.” “Well, Pll be hanged—do you forget ?” ‘ ‘Not ’zactly—but can't—hic—say that I quite remem- er. 79 ‘Then I must jog your memory 2” ‘If you—hic—please.”’ ‘Why, then—can it be possible that you don’t remember ? Not an hour ago, in the Broadway liquor store, we had a drink, and talked about our meeting on the steamer coming over.” “The steamer—hic—eh? Did you come over on the Queen with me?” ‘*Did I come over with you on the Queen? Whata ques- tion! Why, confound it, man, don’t you know I came over on the Queen with you?” ‘Did, eh?” ‘“Why, of course.” ‘‘In the cabin ?” ‘‘In the cabin? Certainly! Didn’t we eat at the same table? Didn’t we smoke and chat together nights in the smoking-room aft? But, ha! ha! pardon me—I see what’s the matter. You’re a little how-come- eae so, you know, you rascal, and forget !” N O, no—only—hic—celebrating my safe arrival—’at’s Q, ? ‘Then take a friend’s advice. New York is a bad city; don’t drink another drop, and be very careful with whom. you keep company.” Gomicboo CS (E(0)