The Prairie Detective: Secret Service Series No. 24 — page 82: what you’re looking at

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

80 THE PRAIRIE DETECTIVE, Gasping for breath, Robinson managed to gurgle out an affirmative response. a By this time Dan had prepared some heavy thongs | of buckskin, with which he bound the robber se- -curely. That duty performed, Ryan removed his ~ hands from his throat, in order not to suffocate him. The two partners stood side by side, waiting in stern silence for their victim to recover his breath. After some difficulty he succeeded to such an ex- tent that he was able to speak a few words. The first sentence he uttered was this: ‘Who are you fellows, anyhow?’’ “Oh, ye’ll fin’ thet out soon enough,”’ responded Ryan, dryly. “But Pd like to know now.”’ The detective took a match from his pocket, and struck it on astone. As the bright blaze shone full in his face he exclaimed: ‘Look, then, and see!’’ The robber uttered a groan of dismay and terror. His whole frame shook like an aspen leaf and he was fairly convulsed with fear.’ Quavering and broken was his voice as he blurted out: “Sycamore Dan!—or—or—his ghost!”’ “Oho, my fine, blooming rose! So you. do know me, hey? Well, young man, how do you like it?” Robinson was silent. He was agitated to such an extent that he could not speak. “Wal,” said Ryan, ‘“‘thar ain’t no use in hangin’ round hyar. It’s nigh onto midnight now, an’ ez Mister Jack Robinson hez been kind enough to sijjest it, we must git ready to receive our frens when they come. So let’s trot over to camp.’’ Not very gently they lifted their apie and. started toward the spot where the hunters were . comicboo cal -