Mrs. Bob: A Novel — page 168: what you’re looking at

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

160 A FIGHT WITH FORTUNE. after Joe and the Senator have gravely shaken hands, “Oh! my friend, the expert, has no doubt in the world the figure was altered,’’ says Archer. ‘‘And my friend, Joe Hooker, has just carried out of a railway wreck the party who confesses to hav- ing committed the said alteration,’’ at which Sena- tor John throws up the sponge, confessing himself beaten in the very first round. Then they take pity on him, and tell him all, which, of course, astonishes him not a little, and gives him great pleasure. “Tt beats everything I ever knew,’’ he says, as he grasps Bob’s hand and squeezes it, as though in this way he would express his congratulations at the turn affairs have taken. Then a council of war follows, and a plan is laid out by means of which they may hope to outwit the enemy. Every one has a part in it, and all enter into the game with a determination to succeed if it be possible. At midnight they separate. In the morning Senator John makes his way to the home of the register, the State officer who keeps an account of the numerous documents and books on file. Itis fortunate he is personally acquainted with this official, or he would never have been able to secure the favor he did. Together they proceed to the office an hour be- fore the time of opening and take the volume con- taining the disputed entry to Josh Geddings. ‘The expert is glad to see them, and immediately dashes a rag, soaked in some liquid, upon the writing. When CORMIE IOOKS.COLM