Detective Bob Bridger — page 124: what you’re looking at

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

DETECTIVE BOB BRIDGER. 117 him until we have found ‘Silly’ Billy, Meg Bolard, and Annette.” “Then we must first look up the game of these two Jews.” The Scotch detective acquiesced, and on reaching the Bowery, Bridger led to a drinking saloon where a file of the Herald was kept. Glancing at the “Reward” column the two detectives ‘read the following notice in the issue of the day previous : DOO —A reward of five hundred dollars will be paid, and no questions asked, for the prompt return of a red Russian- leather jewel-case, containing a diamond necklace. BowER DEtTEcTIVE AGENcy, — Broadway. Half an hour later the Scotch detective and Bridger en- tered the detective agency, whose number was attached to the advertisement. The principal of the firm, a short, squarely built man, with keen, blue eyes, curly hair, and blonde mustache, sat alone at his desk. Introducing the Scotch detective and himself as detec- tives, Bridger referred to the notice concerning the neck- lace, and asked if it would be adverse to the business interests of the agency to say in what manner the jewel had been lost. ‘By no means,” the dotanuaa returned. “I will gladly give you the information, It was taken from the person by a garroter.” “From whom ?” “From one A. W. Walton, a gentleman resident in New Orleans. “« Was the robbery committed in New York ?” “Yes.” ‘“ Garroters generally travel three in a gang—is Mr. Wal- ton positive that there was only one thief ?” “The theft was committed by one man—a tall, smooth- faced, powerful fellow.” “Could Mr. Walton identify the thief?” ‘He could not—the man’s actions were so swift. But it is easy to see, gentlemen, that you have recently been working outside of New York city, or you would know that a general order has been issued to the New York force to keep a vigilant watch for ‘an adroit footpad, tall, clean shaven, and swift-footed, who had succeeded in com- mitting a number of the most daring robberies from the (E(oy paylicel exeye) ss) (eco)