The Prairie Detective: Secret Service Series No. 24 — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

26 THE PRAIRIE DETECTIVE. The metamorphosis was complete. But to be sure of avoiding recognition, he produced a razor and re- moved his handsome mustache. His costume and accouterments all bore evidences of former use. It may be stated that he had selected them on that ac- count. <A new outfit, he reflected, would have aroused suspicion, which was the very thing he — wished to avoid. His Chicago friend, in selling him the clothing he wished to buy, had conferred upon Dan the greatest possible favor. When the detective had assured himself that his disguise was beyond penetration, he packed up his civilized clothing, locked the valise, and strolled down stairs into the office, where a number of men were sitting or standing about idling away the time. His tall form and picturesque costume attracted general attention, and many were the inquiries ad- dressed to the clerk as to his identity. That func- tionary could only point to the somewhat vague ap- pellation scrawled upon the register, and acknowl- edged his own ignorance. Dan sauntered carelessly down the main street until he saw a gunsmith’s sign. He entered the store, and, after careful examination, selected an old Kentucky rifle capable of throwing an ounce ball. Ammunition, bullet-molds, and revolver cartridges were purchased next, and the detective-scout re- turned to his hotel. The next two or three days he spent in blinding those who questioned him about his former life, and learning from them all that was possible about the country which he was about to visit. For these purposes he gave out that he had spent his years among the forests which at that time lined the banks of the Wabash River, and that he wag by Gomicbooks (elo)