Detective Bob Bridger — page 180: what you’re looking at

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

DETECTIVE BOB BRIDGER. 173 Bridger and his prisoner pulled up at the hotel, the Scotch detective stood in waiting on the sidewalk. While the mob of thieves had pursued, Bridger had sat quietly grasping the chain of the manacles that held Goucher’s wrists in his left hand, and clutching the lapel of his coat with his right. When the cab had passed safely into the Bowery he re- laxed his hold, and tied his handkerchief about Goucher’s forehead, which was bruised and bleeding. This done, Goucher broke the silence by demanding, in a surly tone, whether he was being taken to the station-house or to the train for Alton. Bridger well knew that his prisoner was well versed in points of criminal law. He knew that Bridger had technically no right to arrest him without a warrant for an offense not committed against the general government, or to take him to another State without a requisition. He understood, however, that his attempt upon the de- tective’s life had constituted an offense for which Bridger . could deliver him to custody in the city, and he feared the result might look toward an investigation of the murderous trap in his den. It had, without doubt, done work which, if followed up, would consign him to the gallows. Detectives at times feel bound to strain every point to bring about the success of the case they have in hand, and, under the circumstances, Bridger felt forced to makea compromise. It was agreed between the two men that if Bridger did not cause Goucher’s imprisonment on any charge the latter would go to Alton as the detective desired, and ere the cab drew up at the hotel Bridger had removed the manacles from the burglar’s wrists. “Did you find your man, Bobe?” demanded the Scotch detective, as he perceived Bridger through the open win- dow in the cab’s door. “Yes, I have the witness all right. Are you ready to go? ?” returned Bridger. “All ready and waiting this half hour. And, by the way, we have but forty minutes left to catch the train. I was beginning to fear that you were having some trouble, and was on the point of having a look around myself for you.” “Then lose no time, Fandon. Get the party into the car- Gomicboo CS (Elo)