The Prairie Detective: Secret Service Series No. 24 — page 173: what you’re looking at

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

THE PRAIRIE DETECTIVE. | 171 “Doctor Delmay,’’? as Robinson had introduced Persimmon Bill, was very hospitable. He had sent Robinson, when they left the table, to attend to some matters at the stable, and he had not yet returned. But two of the other men accompanied the guests into the apartment where pipes and a bowl of punch were produced, and they prepared to spend a jolly evening. Ryan sat close beside the open scuttle doors, with his head on his hand, apparently deep in thought. Ever since he had met Persimmon Bill he seemed to be actuated by some strange emotion which Dan could not account for. The host noticed it too, for, turning to his guest, he said: “You are silent this evening, Mr. Alford. Pray tell me is anything wrong? Are you ill?”’ “No,” replied Ryan. ‘‘I ain’t ill, but I feel durned cur’us to-night. ”’ Then a sudden thought seemed to strike him: ‘“When I feel ez I do to-night I allers want to tell my story. It’s an interestin’ one, an’ ef ye think it wuth while, I’ll spin it off now. What d’ye say?’’ “Certainly, my dear sir. We should be delighted... Let us have it, by all means.’’ This was something new to Dan. He had often thought he should like to hear the life of his friend and partner, and here was his opportunity. But why did Ryan choose this time to tell it?’’ In less than ten minutes he had found out wi, and had cause to regret it. Eomicbooks com.