The Prairie Detective: Secret Service Series No. 24 — page 49: what you’re looking at

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

\ : \ THE PRAIRIE DETECTIVE. 47 ‘Yes, that struck me, too. When his eyes met mine I felt fascinated. I could not look away from him, if it had been to save my life. Then, too, there were marks about him which told me he was not always used to this rough life. He seemed to be foreign to it, and yet acclimated. I own frankly, that I cannot altogether understand him.’’ “What was it you noticed, sister? He seemed to me like all the other men about here, excepting the peculiarity of his eyes.” ‘Did you see his hands?’’ “T don’t know that I paid particular attention to them. Why do you ask?’’ “They were as white and as soft as a woman’s. The palms were unmarked by the little tufts of cal- lous flesh which all men used to rough work have on theirs. Mark my words, there is some mystery about him, and I will solve it before I get through.”’ ‘‘Hsther, my dear,’’ said her father, who had been so thoroughy absorbed in his thoughts that her words did not reach him, ‘‘come here a moment, please.’’ The daughters both responded to his call. ‘What is it, father?’’ asked the girl. “Ryan, before he went away, gave me a word of whispered advice, and I have been thinking whether it is best to abide by it or not. “T have finally decided that it shall be as you say.” ‘What is it, father? Speak on.” “He heard enough of what passed concerning Persifamon Bill, to make up his mind that some- thing must be done to avert possible danger. When the men have left this spot for the buffalo trail, the post will be greatly weakened. The fact that the chief of the Bloodsuckers has been here all winter, SS €O GEomicbhoo