Detective Bob Bridger — page 128: what you’re looking at

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

a DETECTIVE BOB BRIDGER. 121 He had also found means to obtain the deceived man’s consent to the journey toward Florida, the consumptive’s winter rest. On the way thither he had planned to murder him, and thus end his claim to the estates of his father. No time was to be lost. The men must be found. Jf they left New York together the chances were that another murder case would be on the hands of the two sleuth-hounds. They therefore determined to search the hotels of the city at once for the two men. When they again descended to the street the two detec- tives were clothed as gentlemen, save in one particular. In their haste they had failed to change their under- clothing, and still wore the blue flannel shirts. The night was cool, however, and they kept their over- coats buttoned snugly at the neck, hiding the shirts from the eyes of the fastidious. Little did they dream that the entire success of their night’s work depended on those blue shirts. Hastening first to the St. Nicholas Hotel, they reported the progress made to Dr. Macy, and after» cheering up the old gentleman with hopeful promises, entered a cab and began their round of New York’s principal hotels. They examined the registers and questioned the clerks in every hotel where a well to-do foreigner might be likely to put up, but all of no avail whatever. At midnight, as they were driving along in Sixth avenue, the Scotch detective sadi: “I feel, Bobe, as if we were on a fool’s errand to-night.” ‘How so?” “We are not following an English gentleman, but an English thief. Of course Videre does not. know that the London force have had eyes on him in England.” “No, or he would not be here.” “Then rely on it, Bobe, he will make a serpentine trail, hard to follow, and has stopped privately with his sick dupe.” “You strike the nail fair on the head, I believe,” said Bridger. “And it is beyond the hour to- night when we might call upon private lodging-houses.” ~ “Undoubtedly.” “What, then ?” “Throw up the job for she night, and let us eat, for I’m as hungry as a wolf.” EOMIGEDoOO cS Go