Detective Bob Bridger — page 51: what you’re looking at

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

44 ~ DETECTIVE BOB BRIDGER. | ‘“This document was dated in due form, and was writte and signed in Jean Godot’s scrawling hand. | ‘“‘Tts terms and conditions were cunningly arranged and natural, and when it was offered in the courts for probate as the miser’s will, an order of citation was granted, and the Godot estate fell into the hands of Videre and Bolard. * Bolard still remained upon the estate in his position of head farmer, while Videre spent his time playing the gen- tleman in London, and upon the Continent. “So well, indeed, did ‘Iron’ Mike and his worthy son work their deep game, and use the great wealth that fell from it to them afterward, that as the years rolled by not a breath of suspicion was uttered by any one against them. ‘And thus stood matters when the dream of the crazy garroter and the beautiful girl wading in a rivulet of blood on which seemed floating the many gold coins, became a nightly visitor to my pillow, and when I shadowed Billy from Millbank prison to meet Annette, Alice Godot’s child, in the beautiful girl at the door of the cottage. “On that day when I showed my badge to the girl at the up-stairs window, keen eyes were watching me from the edge of the curtains in a window below. And thus it came that we found the cottage empty when we made the de- scent upon it, and that I have followed these people here.” “And what have you done here?” asked Bridger. “IT have found proof that Jean Godot was murdered by Harvey Bolard, alias ‘Iron’ Mike Drugo, and that Pere Videre, alias ‘Jack’ Drugo, was his confederate in the crime.” ‘And where are these people now ?” “Pere Videre is in England enjoying the Godot estate, but held under the eye of Scotland Yard until I ean find positive proofs warranting his arrest. Bolard is dead and in his grave, and Annette, Meg, and ‘Silly’ Billy are se- cluded in some den in this great city, ‘Silly’ Billy support- ing them by his thefts.” The Scotch detective took the locket containing the miniatures of Alfonse and Alice Godot from his pocket as he spoke, and presenting it for Bridger’s inspection, added : ‘‘And now, friend Bobe, since I have shown you my | reason for permitting the crazy giant’s escape to-night, — may I claim your assistance in the rescue of this innocent girl from the haunts of thieves ?” “As matters stand,” returned Bridger, “it is certainly for the best that no charge be made against Billy for the — = €omicbooks.com — ; - + - -) : j Ste PO ‘ : 4 ~* Lr ys C7 os aS Se at w 7 > t Nh = 4 ~ <= x -- te = .* ae ae Le ae co.