Detective Bob Bridger — page 123: what you’re looking at

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

Ne So DETECTIVE BOB BRIDGER. The policeman’s advent, however, restrained the burly bartender, who had turned as if to assault Sammy’s as- tounded and trembling brother. But Moses, thinking that the bartender had suddenly recognized him as the rich “fence” who had had frequent dealings with Goucher, smiled in his terror, and pretended to join in the joke at Sammy’s expense. “T am Moses Muggins,” he said. ‘“I do business vid Mr. Goucher. It vas quite right to remind Sammy not to make so much noise. Ha, ha! he vanted it, and he vanted it! Vell, he got it—didn’t he, Mr. Bartender ?” “Yes, and you'll be gettin’ a dose of it, too,” thundered the bartender, “if you don’t be-makin’ yourself scarce. For, whoever you be doin’ business wid, mind yer, yer don’t want ter be blowin ’yer bazzoos in this hall-way !” Having thus demonstrated his authority, the “tumper” strode away with a Mose stride, and disappeared whence he came. Extending the palms of his hands, raising them over his head, and shaking them to and fro with the energy of a steam-engine, Moses Muggins invoked a string of curses, in Hebrew, upon the autocrat of the bar, and then suddenly wheeling about, vanished upon the street. The Scotch detective and Bridger softly descended the stair-way, assured that they had gained clews that promised to be of great value in their quest. It.was dark when they emerged upon the street, and they perceived, to their dismay, that the Muggins brothers had passed from view. CHAPTER XXVII. TRACING THE NECKLACE CLEW. “Tf it should prove that this sand-bag man is the ‘Squeal- er’ and that the companion he spoke of is Alfonse Godot that which we have found points to nothing short of Videre’s determination to murder Alfonse,” said the Scotch detec- tive, as the two sleuth-hounds hastened toward the Bowery. “Tf you think that,” returned Bridger, “we should have given that man the collar at all hazards, to-day.” “But you forget, Bobe, I uever saw Videre, and although the man’s features tally somewhat with the picture of the © ‘Squealer’ in the Rogues’ Gallery in London, and his squeaking voice and dealing with ‘crooked’ people point : toward Videre, still no absolute evidence can exist against Eomicboo KS.co mn