Detective Bob Bridger — page 193: what you’re looking at

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

poe ae ™ wie. ch, “.* che” "> Se Ly y . b ere 186 DETECTIVE BOB BRIDGER. Noticing his determined action, the sheriff telegraphed the district attorney, resident in the county town some — miles distant, requesting his prompt presence in Alton. Meanwhile Goucher had disappeared, and the detective learned on inquiry that a person answering his description had taken the noon train eastward toward New York. The Scotch detective had secured quarters for the party at the railway hotel, and had accompanied Annette, Meg, Dr. Macy, and ‘‘Silly” Billy thither. At dusk in the evening the district attorney arrived. The sheriff met him at the train, and escorted him to where the three detectives sat enjoying a quiet smoke after their evening meal. “TI feel assured that we have a tough case upon our hands,” he said, when he had been apprised of the facts regarding the case in hand. ‘‘Under ordinary circum- stances it would be perfectly clear for procedure, but it would seem, by the manner in which the railway’s at- torney is working, that he is urged on by support of a most influential nature. The British Minister, possibly calling the administration at Washington to his aid, has doubtless given it as his belief that the’ men are innocent, and requested that no expense be spared to secure their speedy release. He has, no doubt, received satisfactory answers by cable, and is striving in good faith to set free two of his countrymen falsely accused in a strange land. The power of the railroad company has been enlisted—a change of venue may be obtained, the prisoners transferred _to a distant city, and released. ‘‘T am indeed sorry,” added the attorney, ‘‘that there is not a trifle more direct testimony. | ‘‘T cannot see what more direct testimony could be had, unless some one had actually seen the murder done,” returned the Scotch detective. “Yes, or that the dead man had been seen in Videre’s company by any one, anywhere,” said the attorney. “Evidence that they have been seen together, and were together on the train can be produced.” ‘*Ah—but when ?” “Tf time is the question,” quoth the Scotch detective, “T think I can furnish you direct evidence of Videre’s guilt, and that his companion in prison is an impostor in his service, to-night.” “To-night! How?” ‘By his own confession.” I comicbooks.co »~* 7 “— al ‘~. T el Te a f a . oF a air wT Ie ha -s