Laura Brayton — page 116: what you’re looking at

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

LAURA BRAYTON. : 107 “Now, boss, just hold the blaze of that lamp right under the hollow of the quill-driver’s hand—the left hand here, so ’twon’t hurt his business.” Sharp did so, and a quiver of agony ran through the body of the helpless clerk as the skin cracked and snapped in the heat. Again Joe relaxed his hold slightly, cautioning his victim not to scream, or he’d choke the lfe right out of him. “Will you give in-row?” he asked. “Yes—for mercy’s sake, stop—yes!” moaned poor Nathan. | re The ruffian relaxed his grasp, and Sharp set the lamp on the table. But Joe still retained his hold on the form and throat, ready to tighten it if the clerk did not fully yield. “She is living with a young girl who works ina book-bindery. I met her out in the street, all vailed and cloaked up, but I knew her walk, and her foot, and her voice, and I followed her home. I’ve tried to see which room she lives in, but 1 haven’t got to— that yet. I can, maybe, by hiring a room in the house.” | “Are you telling the truth, Nathan?” asked — Sharp, sternly. “Yes, sir—so help me Bob! What’s the use in my lying now? Choking is rough, and burning is worserer yet!” : “Let him go, Joe. If he tells the truth we will soon knew it. Ihave a legal right to the girl. I will get a warrant, and an officer to execute it, and oo after her myself. Nathan, you will go with me asa guide. If youhave not told the truth, it will be the worse for you. If you have, I will give OMe Eomicbooks.co