Detective Bob Bridger — page 129: what you’re looking at

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

122 DETECTIVE BOB BRIDGER. ‘“‘T'm with you. for, come to think, Christina’s ham ond: wiches have only broken our fast since breakfast.” Opening the cab’s door the Scotch detective ordered the cabman to drive to a restaurant. “What one?” asked the driver. “Any one where a first-class meal is served.” Soon after the cab drew up before a somewhat preten- tious restaurant, upon whose cut-glass windows was dis- played the sign: “ English Chop House.” Dismissing the cabman the two sleuth-hounds entered, to find themselves in a cozy and somewhat aristocratic dining-room. They perceived that several sprigs of Gotham’ x nobility who were at the time dining within, glanced toward them, I: “Ras as if they were entering the realms of a class to which they | did not belong. As they seated themselves at one of the tables they no- ticed also that the waiter was slow in approacting them, and that he eyed them suspiciously as he presented the bill of fare. They ordered two porterhouse steaks, and that turtle soup and coffee be served them at once. As the waiter departed to fill their order the proprietor of the place made a cautious tour in their neighborhood, eying them as if he considered their custom at the best not - to. be desired. They perceived also that although the sign without pre- . sented the legend, “ English Chop House,” the landlord was, in fact, a portly German. Bridger and the Scotch detective were not men who would tamely endure insult, and their eyes began to snap wickedly. As the proprietor approached them a second time the Scotch detective demanded, in a voice that commanded the attention of all in the room: “Are you the proprietor of this place ?” ‘Yes, sir,” was the answer. i Well, have you lost a gold mine, or any other small article, where we are sitting ?” “s Sir, I do not understand vat you mean.” *“ Nor I what you mean by your suspicious looks. We have ordered what we desire from your bill of fare, and go you and see that our order is hurried up. * And remember,” added the angry detective, “if you re- turn, with your insulting demeanor, to this vicinity again during our stay, I will make it my business to take you by : “a: co wt ‘ comicboo S.C 6 Mt i NGA A etek _ Pad 7* me om i. “o