The Prairie Detective: Secret Service Series No. 24 — page 138: what you’re looking at

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

136 THE PRAIRIE DETECTIVE, as an indication that her father and sister had been carried off. | ‘‘In the morning,’’ said Ryan, ‘‘we’ll start on the trail, an’ afore many days we’ll hev them outen the hands 0’ these devils, or know the reason why. But what puzzles me is, what in thunder we’re a-goin’ to do with Miss Esther while we’re gone on this leetle . trip.”’ The group were silent. That was a question, with- out mistake. Esther herself was the first to speak. “T don’t see why that should trouble you,’ she said, so quietly that they were startled by her man- ner. “Why not?” asked Dan. ‘I think it is a matter of great importance. We must lose no time in start- ing. Already these men have too much headway, and we cannot afford to lose time. Otherwise the matter might be solved very easily, for we could escort you to Fort Hays, and thén return to our other duties. As it is, I must confess that I am somewhat in the dark as to what is the best course. ”’ ‘But J am not.’’ : “Indeed? Then perhaps you will tell us what is to become of you?”’ erly =D pleasure. I shall join you in this undertaking. ”’’ A thunderbolt out of a clear sky could not have startled them more. Dan sat perfectly aghast with astonishment, and Ryan’s only comment was a long- drawn whistle. “To be sure I shall go!”’ reiterated Esther, stoutly. “Why should I not? If I were the one who-was un- _ fortunate enough to be captured, would not my father come to my rescue? Should I be less loyal comicbooks (ee)