Detective Bob Bridger — page 44: what you’re looking at

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

=e DETECTIVE BOB BRIDGER. 37 As he did so the two detectives rushed upon him. Bridger’s hand clutched the burly villain’s coat, when, as he turned about, the ight from the street-lamp nearly fell upon his face. The two detectives recognized him on the instant. It was ‘Silly’ Billy, the crazy giant of Millbank prison. ‘“‘Let him go! For God’s sake, let him go!” said the Scotch detective, as the crazy garroter broke Bridger’s hold and darted away, followed by a policeman who has- tened by in the pursuit. ‘Did you not a moment ago ask me to aid you in taking that thief? What do you mean?” demanded Bridger, ex- citedly, when the officer had passed from hearing. ‘True, Bobe,” returned Fandon, gently. ‘‘But it would spoil all if he fell into the hands of these blue coats and yellow buttons.” CHAPTER VIII. THE FOOT-PAD’S VICTIM. - The little tiger-like movement of ‘Silly’ Billy, as he darted away was in such contrast to the lazy though de- termined motion of the policeman, that the Scotch detec- tive’s action seemed to be equivalent to letting him go un- caught. “The ‘‘cop’ has no more chance of overhauling the rogue than a cow behind a race-horse,” quoth Fandon, glancing after the running men. “ W hether he has or not,” returned Bridger, ‘‘I must fully understand your relations with the crazy giant ere I can render you the aid I promised.” “You don’t doubt me, Bobe 2” ‘*No, but I can always work to better advantage when I know what I’m driving at.” ‘You shall know all directly, Bobe. But first let us care for the rascal’s victim. If possible, I would like to ar- range that his complaint may not appear on the police blot- ter.” As he spoke the Scotch detective turned toward the in- sensible form of the ill-used old gentleman lying near. The two detectives raised it gently and bore it beneath the street lamp. The old man’s hair was white as snow, and his features, bordered by closely trimmed gray whiskers, were tanned as if from long contact beneath a tropical sun, —_ Eomicboo cS (ele) . ‘ - ae a . - »