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By Louis Tracy.
Author of ••Wings of the Morning. " “The Pillar of A ' ’
Light." Etc.
All
COFYUICNT.
------------
By EDWARD
1*0«.
J. CLODE
L on»........... »♦••♦•♦♦•••...............♦♦• boo ..........
^HAFTER X—(Continued.)
W: ”
-
••
He was so utterly tired. so exhausted
physically and mentally by the sturm
und drang of this eventfiil day that
he was sound asleep when the two
men returned.
They saw him through the window
He s a fine lad,” said the insjiector
thoughtfully.
wonder what lie is
going to make of himself. We might
have asked him who his frieuds were. |
but they are not badly off, or be
couldn't have got that bag and bls new
clothes. What on earth caused Mason
to connect him with that diamond
story ?”
’ It s hard to say," observed the con
stable.
"I will look round and have a chat
with him In tbe morning. Poor little '
chap! He’s sleeping like a top now."
The inspector called at No. 3 John- •
sou’s Mews soon after 10 next morn :
lug. but the door was locked am! the
bird flown. He spoke to Mason after ,
that worthy was remanded for a week,
but a night’s painful seclusion bad I
sealed the burglar’s lips. He vowed,
with fearful emphasis, to "get even”
with tbe kid who “ahted" him, for tbe
policeman's evidence had revealed tbe
truth concerning the arrest. But not
another word would Mason say about
the diamonds, and for a little while the
Inspector placed his overnight revela
tions In the category of myths familiar
to the police lu their dally dealings
with criminals.
4 must. The company which
wn< these premises intends to pull
ttern dorn on the tirst of next month.”
••What is your name?"
“Anson."
„\b» i think I remember hearing
.»mething about your mother’» death.
v ,rT „i.e woman. I was told. A lady
tQi) ’*
• Yes: all that and more.”
••Of course. That accounts for your
manners and appearance. Have you
found some friends?"
The Inspector’s glance roved from
the serviceable portmanteau to Philip’s
thlr garments, and It was his business
to make rapid deductions.
••Yes. most fortunately.”
"Anybody connected with Sharpe &
gndtb?” the constable put In.
"Sharpe & Smith? Who are they?"
••Don’t you know? Their young man
certainly didn't seem to know much
about your movements. He has been
here twice looking for you. The first
time was—let me see—last Monday
about 4 o’clock. I was on duty in the
main road, and he asked me for some
Information. We came and looked in.
but your door was locked. The man
on this beat this afternoon told me
that the same clerk was making fur
ther Inquiries today, so as soon as 1
came on night duty I strolled Into the
mews to find out if you were at home.
That is how I happened to see you.”
He turned toward the Inspector.
••He was packing hfs bag at the mo
Philip awoke shortly before 7.
ment, sir, and Mason had evidently
He was cold and stiff. Tbe weather i
been scared from the window by my was chilly, and there was no ardent
footsteps tn the arch.”
meteor In the back yard to keep the
The insjiector pursed out his underlip. temperature of the bouse at u grateful
“Tbe whole thing is perfec tly clear," point during tbe night.
he said. "Boy, have you got a watch?"
But his active young frame quickly
“No.” said Philip, surprised by this dissipated tbe effects of a deep sleep I
odd question.
on a drafty floor. He washed his face
"Bradley, he hasn’t got a watch,” ob a ad hands at tlie sink in the scullery,
served the Inspector. He again ad and his next thought was for break
dressed Philip.
fast, a proof, If proof were needed,
“Where are you going tomorrow?"
that lie arose refreshed in mind aud
“1 am not quite sure, but my address body.
will I* known to. Mrs. Wrigley, the
In the Mile End road there are plen
James street laundry. Shepherd’s ty of early morning restaurants. At
Bush."
one of them he made a substantial
“Ah! The constable says you do not meal, and, on bis return to tbe Biews,
wish to be mixed up in tbe arrest of he -lost not a moment in carry ing out a
Mason There is no need for you to systematic search through all parts of
appear In court, but—er—in such cases the bouse aud yard for any traces of
as yours the—er— police like to show tbe meteor which might have escaped
their—er- appreciation of your serv- his ken in the darkness.
Ires That is so, Bradley, lsnt it?"
Amid the earth and broken stones of
“Yes. sir. If It hadn't been for him, tlie excavation there were a few frag
I shouldn’t lie here now. Jocky had ments of ore and some atomic speci
mens of the diamautiferous material—
me fairly cornered.”
“You had no time to summon assist not sufficient, all told, to till the palm
of his hand, but lie gathered them for
ance?"
“I barely heard he was here before obvious reasons and then devoted five
the window was smashed, and I knew vigorous minutes with O Brien's spade
be was trying to get out the other way. to the task of filling up the deep bole
itself.
You beard him. Anson?"
By lowering the flagstones aud
Philip looked the policeman squarely
breaking tbe earth beneath he soon
in the eyes.
“You had Just taken off your great gave tbe small yard an appearance of
coat when tbe glass cracked," he said. chaos which might certainly puzzle
Polite Constable Bradley stooped to people, but which would afford no I »os
pick up his ff>at. He did not wish this slide clew to the nature of the disturb
portion of the night's proceedings to lie ing element.
At liest they might imagine that th«
descrll>ed too minutely. In moving tlie
garment he disturbed the packet of let d ead evidence of some weird crime
ters. Instantly Philip recalled the lay in the broken area. If so, they
names of the solicitors mentioned by could dig until they were tired. But.
the constable.
indeed, be was now guarding against a
"You said that a clerk from Messrs. most unlikely hypothesis. The prob
Sharpe A Smith called here twice?" he ability was that Johnson's Mews would
asked
soon cease to exist and become al
•Yes."
most as fabulous as tbe Island of At
He picked out one of the letters. ( lantis.
opened It and made certain of his facts
Moreover, he had a project dimly
before he cried angrily:
outlined In his mind which might be
“Then I want to have nothing what come definite if all went well with
ever to do with tbeui. They treated him that day. Then the ownership of
my mother shamefully.”
No. 3, Johnson's Mews, would cease
The Inspector had sharp eyes.
to. trouble him. for Philip was quite
"What Is the date of that letter?" he sure the whole power of the law would
Inquired.
be Invoked to prevent him from deal
“Jan. IS of tills year."
ing with his meteor if once tbe exact
‘And what nre those—pawn tickets?” ] place where It fell became publicly
"Yes. some of my mother’s Jewelry known.
•nd dresses. Her wedding rink was
O’Brien's shop was scarcely open be
the last to go. Most of them are out fore Philip was there with his remain
Cf date, but I Intend to—I will try to^ lug ¡lortuianteau.
••ve Mme of them, especially her wed
“Arrah, I’hll. me bboy! Where in the
ding ring.”
name of goodness are ye gatherin’ tbe
Jocky Mason’s romance was now dis beeutiful leather thrunks from?" ask-
sipated Into thin air. The contents of ed tbe pensioner.
“This is the last one." laughed the
the portmanteau, tbe squalid appear
ance of the bouse, the date of the so boy. "I am off now to find n cab. and
licitor's letter, the bundle of pawn you won't see me again until Monday.’’
“Falx, he's a wonderful lad entirely!'
tickets offered conclusive evidence to
the Inspector's matter of fact mind commented the old man. "What sort
that the ex-convict's story was tbe ef of plundher has he in the bags, at all
fect of a truncheon rapidly applied to at ail?”
..... , ,
In idle curiosity he lifted the last
a brain excited by the newspaiier com
It
was normal.
addition
to
the
pile.
normal
■tents on a sensational yarn about
•oui“ boy who had found a parcel of even light In weight. Then he nodded
diamonds.
knowingly.
•• lot of ould duds belongln to Mrs
This youngster had not been favor-
•d by any such extraordinary piece of Anson. I’ll I* I-»“-- Ab- well‘
luck. Simple chance had led him to Ix»rd rest her »owl, 'tls she was the
fit the police on the track of a much fine woman. I wish I had some one as
wanted scoundrel, and he had vpry diver as h-r to write for me to that
ftraveiy prevented a member of tbe thafe of the worm Id who thrled
\s there are no signs In the art of
force from being badly worsted in tbe
literature similar to those which sene
•■suing encounter.
A sul.scription would be made among the neons vf musicians, whereby
the offl.-ers and men of the division,
thoughts can I* «preaeed
•nd they would give him a silver like a musical phrase, without risk of
*atch with a suitable inscription.
the render. It must
The inspector noted the address glv- wearying
stood that Philip had retun.e.1 from
*"■ by Philip, it was on the tip of his faraway Femhurch .tr^^tkm^Hh
wngue to ask his Christian name,
wh' ti the constable suggested that they a four wheeler befor it the day against
•1 .L.d examine the stable in which ed the first tirade c
the war office
M n ha-1 hidden.
With a cunning
^Thcy went np tbe mews, rhilip
tbe boy pine
his door, extinguished his can genius,
portmanteau awl tlie two «.
.
•“ and lay down on the mattress, one» on the |W of the vehicle, where
diwssed. With his newl7 bought
t * covertn”
—
tbe driver did not notice tbe least pe
culiarity in their weight.
Ttje two large, heavy bags he man
aged to lift Into tbe Interior, one of
them nee«?!ug all ids resources to carry
It from the shop door to the cab. Were
he not fresh aud untired he could not
have done It. A» U was. the effort was
a splendid success.
Tbe cabman knew little end O'Brien
lees of tbe tremendous avoirdupois of
this Innocent looking baggage A long
suffering horse may have bad bla pri
vate view», but be did not express
them
Saying good by to the [tensioner In
the shop. Philip took gtg>d care that
none overheard his direction to the
driver, in about three-quarters of an
hour he lumbered Into Charing Cross
station without a soul in the East End
being aware of his destination
“Where to. sir?” asked a porter who
opened the door for him.
“I only want these bags to be taken
to the luggage room," said Philip.
"You had better get some one to help
you with these two. They are very
heavy. They contain specimens of Iron
ore.”
The man took a pull at the solid one.
"By gum,” he grinned, “you're right!
That would surprise anybody who
tried to pick it up and run away with
it.”
"Bather,” agree«! Philip. “I am glad
_
to say It Is not going very far. only to
a laboratory for analysis."
He saw his belongings wheeled away
on a barrow before he paid the cabman
liberally. He only gave the porter six
pence. The man believed that Philip
was a clerk in charge of the minerals.
He was grateful for even so small a
sum.
On leaving the station, with the re
ceipt for his luggage in his pocket.
Philip saw the four wheeler turning
into the Strand on Its way back to
Fenehurcli street. He smiled, The tie
between east and west was severe«!.
No matter what else might hapiien to
it, his meteor had left Johnson’s Mews
forever.
It was now a few minutes past !>. but
he still had a good deal to do liefore
he presented IdmstMf at Isnncstefn’s at
11.
It was necessary to change his skin
once more before the metamorphosis
he contemplated was complete. He
was acquainted with a large outfitting
emporium In I.udgnte Hill which ex
actly suited his requirements, so he
rode thither on a ’bus.
Passing Somerset House, be recalled
aud acted tbe souud man of business
be really was.
He awaited Philip in bls private of
fice. He seemed to be pleased by tbe
change effected lu tbe boy's outward
appearauce. There was lew of bur
lesque. less outrage to bls feelings, lu
dlscuaaiug big sums of money with a
person properly attired than with one
who wore the garment» of a tramp.
“Good morning." be saht pleasantly.
“You aro punctual, 1 am glad to see
Have you been to Somerset House?"
"No." said Philip.
"Why not? If you are going to con
trol a big capital, you must learn busi
ness habits or you wtll lose It, no mat
ter bow large It may ba."
"Would Somerset House compel you
to pay me, Mr. Isaacsteln?"
"Not exactly, but the stamping of
Important documents ts a means to
ward an end I assure yon."
"I will see to it. but I wanted pri
marily to lie certain of one of two
things—first, will you pay the £5.000
as promised; second, will yon give me
a fresh purchase note for my diamonds
which will not Indicate so definitely
that I am the boy concerning whom
there has been so much mnsile^s pub
licity during the last few days?"
It was of no avail for Isaacsteln to
bandy words with Philip. A boy of
fifteen who casually Introduced such
a word as "primarily" into a sentence
and gave a shrewd thrust about "need
less publicity" to the person responsi
ble for it was not to be browbeaten
even in business affairs.
Tbe muu whipped out a check book.
“Am I to make out a check for £5,0CJ
to ‘Philip?’” he asked.
"So; to Philip Anson, please."
"Thank you. And now. shall I put
any address on the contract note which
I will hand you?"
•The Pall Mall hotel."
Isaacsteln with difficulty choked back
a comment. The Pall Mall hotel was
the most expensive establishment in
London. He tosaed the check and an
other document across the table.
•There you are,” he said. ”Con>e
with nte to my tank. You will excuse
the hurry. I have a lot to do before
I Itmve tor Amsterdam tonight.”
Fblllp saw teat tlie acknowledgment
of his diamonds appear«“ 1 to be In
proficr form.
“There Is no need at tills moment to
explain to the Itank manager that I
am th«> boro of the police court affair?"
he said.
“None whatever. I aiu lending you
th«« money. Hn<! will be paying you a
good deal more very soon. That will
l«‘ sufficient. He may draw tils own
eoncltisions, of course."
Iliilip was n«>w looking at the check.
"Why do you pnt “account payee’ be
tween these two strokes?" be said.
Tlie man explained, and even found
time tn show him how to cross and In
dorse such Important slips of paper.
Then they walked to the bank, a few
doors away. Tbe elderly manager was
obviously surprised by the size of the
check and the youth of the "payee.”
“Ob. this Is nothing, a mere flea bite."
said I sanest ein. “in a few «Inys he will
have ten times the amount to his
credit.”
Tteitr me. Are you realising proper
ty on his behalf?”
“Yes.”
“Well, Mr. Anson.” said the man
ager pleasantly. “I hope you will take
care of your money.”
"I want yon to do that,” smiled Phil
ip. who was slightly nonplused l»y tlm
profix to his name, heard by hlui for
the first time.
“Oh. If you leove It with me It will
be qnlte safe.”
“I cannot leave all, but certainly I
U' Licit n’t »hup mi» scarcely "pen before will not spend £.1.060 In n week. I
□■can to buy some property, though.
Philip uai there.
Isaacsteln’» remark about getting tils •nd—can I have a hundred now?"
“By all moti ns.'
letter "stamped." ne did not know
Philip wrote his first check and re
what stamping meant in a legal sense,
but he guessed that it implied the af ceived twenty crisp five pound notes.
fixing of a seal of some sort. There Isaacsteln stood by, smiling grimly.
was no need ti> hurry over it, be He had not yet got over the farcical
»Ide of this extraordinary occurrence,
thought.
At 11 o'clock Isaacsteiu would either and ho was wondering wtfnt tlie bank
keep tris wen I about the £3.000 or en managin' would have will! could lie but
deavor to wriggle out of the compact. see Philip as he, Isaacsteln, saw him
In either event Philip bad already de no later than the pro« Ions day.
“By the way," said Philip, whoso
termined to consult Mr. Abingdon.
He had uow in his pocket about £38 heart was beating a little now. "sup
Half an hour later lie was wearing a pose I wish to give a reference to any
new tweed Butt, new Lnt and new i body, will you two gentlemen answer
boots. He had acquired a stock of I for me?"
"Tlie bank will always say whether
linen and underclothing, an umbrella
and an overcoat, Some of these arti or not your check will be honored to n
cles. together with his discarded stated amount. In other respects Mr.
clothes, were packed in two new leath Isaacsteln, who brought you here, will
er portmanteaus, on which his Initials serve your purpose admirably—none
would be painted by noon, when he better In tbe city of Ixmdon,” roplle«!
the banker.
would call for them.
Isaacsteln placed Isdh feet together,
He pal<! £26 for the lot. and the man
who wafted on him tried In vain to and his bend nank I »‘tween bls shoul
tempt him to spend more. Philip knew ders. He again reminded Philip of a
exactly what be wanted. He adhered top. The boy fancied that In a second
to his programme. He |>oeae»sed suffi or two he would tagln to spin ami
cient genuine luggage and clothing to pur. The Itank manager's statement
be presentable anywhere. He had flattered the little man. It was the
enough money to maintain himself for sort of thing he understood. Philip
weeks If necessary. For the rest, an privately resolved to make this human
other couple of hours would place It top wabble when alone with him in
beyond doubt whether he was a mil the street again.
“One more question, anil I have end
llonaire or not; for. If Isaacsteln failed
him. Ixmdon was big enougu and ed," be said. “Where Is tbe best place
wealthy enough to quickly decide that to store some valuables?"
“It all depends on their nature. What
point
He entered the Hatton Garden office are they plate. Jewels, paper?”
The man’s ears were alert now, and
as the clocks struck the hour.
*
Some Imys of his age might have ex the boy snilhd faintly.
“Oh,” he explalne«!, “I have a very
perienced a malicious delight when the
youth on guard bounced up with a large quantity of ri« h ore which I wish
to lodge In some pin«-« where It will be
smirk and a ready:
secure an«! yet easy of aceeas.”
“Yessir. Vat Iss It. sir?"
“I would recommend you to rent a
Not so rhilip. He simply asked for
Mr. Isaacsteln. but be c-rtaluly could strong room In the safe <le[»>slt across
not help smiling at tbe expression of the street. There you have absolute
utter amazement when his identity security nnd quick access during busi
ness boats.”
dawned on hl» hearer.
Philip express«»! his thanks and quit
The “Yessir, vfl you blease valk in."
was very faint, though. The office boy ted the tank with his agent.
In the middle of Hol tarn, in the
ushered him upstairs as one in a
dream, for he had been warned to ex mldrt of the Jostling, hurrying occn-
pect Philip, a Philip in rag», not ■ pants of one of the busiest thorough
smart young gentleman like • bank fares In Ixmdon, he pulle«! tbe giant
diamond out of Ids pocket and sudden
clerk.
’»aa< stein vu this occasion looked ly held it under Isaacsteln'» nose
“I told yon I had them a» bl» a»
J
I
hen’s eggs." he cried. "What do you
"Ito you quite understate! the termr< saw him coming or going instantly as-
think of this one?”
—thlrty-flve [lounda a week!”
seiued that he »'«« staytug with bla
Isaacsteln glanced at it for one fas-
“Yeo,” sal«! Philip. “Shall I pay yon people, white th»- manager took cars
clnated »«»con«!. Then be teoked around a week In advance? I can give you’ that gossip among rhe employ«»«*» was
with tbe stealthy air of a man who note«, but it will oblige me if you take' promptly stoppad.
feurs lest he may be detected in tbe a check, as I may want the ready
As for the ragged yo«irb with tbe
commission of a terrible crime.
money In my possession.”
diamonds, he wa» forgotten apparent
Itecelvlng a faint Indication that, ly. The ue»vapai»<r» dropped Uun, be-
"Aro you mad?” be whispered.
“No, not mad," answered Philip under the circumstance«, a cbel would llevlng, lndee«l, that loaaesteta had
coolly as he pockets«! tbe gem. "I only lw «Mteenifel a favor. Philip wb!pp«M worktel »onie Ingenious advertising
wanted you to wabble.”
out his ciwck book, filled In a check to 1 ctotlge vu IBs own account, and Messrs
tbe lM>t»l. and did not forget to cross Sburpe A Smith never dreamed of
"You wanted me to wabble!"
"Yeo. You look so like a big top at it “ae. payee ”
looking for tbe lost Philip Anisin, tbe
The clerk watched htm with an derelict from Johnson's Mews. In the
times. When do we meet again, Mr.
Isaacsteln?"
amazement too acute for words He j Pali Mall hotel, tbe moat luxurious aud
"You aro not giving away by yourself produc«*d the rogtsterand Philip signed expeuHlve establishment In Ixmdon.
ills name. He was given a rwelpt'for
with that stone in your p»x-ket?”
That afteruoou Philip visited th«
"Why not! It attracted no special the payment on account, aud then' Safe Iteposlt company. He bad little
asked
to
ta
shown
to
hl»
rooms.
notice from the people as I canto here.
difficulty, of course, iu securlug a
A boy smaller, but not younger, than | small strong n»im
Notxsiy can smell it. It won’t explode
He eucouuterod
or burn a bole in my clothes. It is himself—a smart pag«‘, who listened to ’1 the wouted Hiirprt»«» at his youth, but
quite safe. I assure you.”
th«» foregoing with deep interost— I the excellent argument of u tanking
"But let me take it to Amsterdam. aske«l timidly whether the gu«‘st would account ami tbe payment of a year*»
Boy! boy! It must weigh four hundre«l go by the stairs or use tbe elevator.
rent lu advance ewu cleared the air.
carats!"
“I will walk.” said Philip, who liked
He transferred four of his portman
"Enough of business for today, I to a»«*ertaln Ilia l»»aring».
teaus to this secure environment. The
have a lot of things to attend to.
The palatial nature of the apart-; fifth was sent to his hotel. When the
ments took him by surprlro when he 1 light falhsl lie drove to the East End
Shall we say Tuesday?"
"No; Wednes«!ay at 11. One word. reach«*! them. Although fur from l>e- uml mud«> a round of pawnbrokers’
tng the most ex|«enslve suit In the' shops. Although some of the ticket»
Let me put It iu my safe.”
"Goodby."
hotel, the turroundliiga were of u na-; wer,» time expired, he recovered near
Philip hailed a pansotu tin.I drove turo vastly remove«! from anything' ly all his mother’s belongings except
off to I.udgate Hill, amiliug graciously hitherto known to him.
ing her watch.
Even tbo charming lion»«' h«> Inhablt-
at Isaacsteln us be whirled awn;
The (xl<l coincidence recalled the in-
e«l
a»
a
child
In
ll!ep|ie
contained
no
!
Tbe muu swnyed gently through the
■Iiector’s implied promise that be
such
luxury.
11!«
portmanteau
fol-1
crowd until lie reache«i the office, w'leq
aliould receive one as a recognition of
h«> dropped limply into hts chilli' towed quickly, n:id u valet «»utered. his gallantry.
Then he shoute«l for ills confidential Philip’s qul< k car» caught th«» accent
How remote, how far removed from
of ii Frenchman, ami the liov spoke to • each other, the main events til Ills life
clerk.
the
mun
In
the
language
of
bls
coun
"Samuel," he murmured, “take
roeimsl to ta at this eventful epoch!
charge, please. I'm going home. I try, pure aud nmleflle.1 by the barbar As lie went weatwanl In a hansom to«
want to rest tiefore I start for Har ism of John Pull.
couhl hardly bring himself to believe
T!i.»y were cliattiug idioitt the weath that barely twenty-four hours had
wich. Ami, Samuel!”
er. " 'ab h, by the way, ever since the elapse«! since bo traveled to the Mite
“Yes. sir."
“While 1 nm away you might order ll’th of March had l»»en extraordi End road in company with Mrs. Wrig
another scales. In future we will sell narily l ne. when thero win a km>ck at ley.
dlauiouds by the pound, like |totatoea.” the do ir, and the manager enter »1.
And the curious thing was that he
The clerk found the sltuatlou too felt tn nil sense awed by the possession
much for him. Ho had npimaled to a of thousands of pounds am! th«» ten
t’HAPTEB XI.
higher authority.
ancy of palatial chambers in a groat
FTEll picklug up bls Itelonglngs
Even th«« suave nnd diplomatic M. hotel. Illa career had been too check
at tbe outfitter's, two smart
Gladstone bags with "P. A." Foret «»oiikl not conceal th«» astonish ered. its reiteiit development» too stu
k nicely paluted on them, Philip ment thut leai»d to bla eyes when be pendous, to cause hint any undue emo
saw tbe occupant of suit F.
tion. Existence for the hour was a
stopped Uls cab at Somerset House.
“I think you will find these room» «¡»»■les of well ordered dream, in which
He experienced uo difficulty in reach
ing the proper department for stamp very comfortable,” In* said for lack of Imagination was untrammele«l save by
ing diK'umeiits, and thus giving them aught tatter. A cominlsslonnafre was th«» msMl to exercise his wits in order
already on his way to th«» bank to ask to keep tbe phantasy within the boiimls
legul significance.
not of his owu bralu, but of other
An official glunced ut Isaacsteln'» if tbe ctM»ck was all right.
“Are you the manager?" aske«l rhil men's.
contract note and then looked at Phil
At the hotel be found the French
ip. evidently regarding him as a rela ip, who was washing tils hands.
"Yes.”
valet setting forth a shirt. The man
tive or youthful secretary of the
“I am glad you called. Ono of yentr explain«»! that he required a spare set
"Philip Anson, Esq., Pall Mall hotel.”
clerks seemed to !»• taken aback lie of studs and links.
whose name figured on tlie paper.
cause a youngster Ilk«» me engng«xl nn
This reminded Philip that there was
"I suppose you only want this to be
expensive suit. r»uii]»o*«» th«» proceed still a g<H»i «leal of shopping to b»
indicated?" he said.
ing Is unusual, bnt thero Is no reason
“Yea,” agreed Philip, who had not why It should create excitement. It done. He was alioiit to leave the ro«>ui
for th«» purjsis«» when the valet said:
tlie remotest idea wliat he meant.
tie««l not tie conimente«l on. for lu-
“Anotl»«»r portmanteau bus arrive«!
"Sixpence," was the curt rejolmier.
■tance.”
for monsieur. Will you be pleased to
Philip thought be would be called on
"No, no; of course not.”
unlock it?”
to pity tunny |M>unds some amount in
"Thank yon very much, I havo a
"No," salil Philip. "It must remain
lite nhture of a |>ercentageaof the sum special reason for wishing to live nt
named in tbe agreement, lie produced this hotel. Indeed. 1 havo given this untouched.” He smiled at the thought
the coin demanded and made no com address for certain Important docu of the sensation his tattered rags etui
ment. With stamp or without, he ments. Will you kindly arrang«« that worn tMsits would make lu that (dace.
knew that Isaacsteln would go straight I may lie treated like any ordinary Y’et Just a week ago he passed through
the street outside bound in the pitiless
In this preliminary undertaking. A persoa.”
ralu for Johnson's Mews and bent on
single glimpse« of the monster diamond
"1 hope tbe clerk was not rude to suicide.
In bis |MM-ket had made that quite cer you?”
Ho walked Into Begent street nnd
tain.
"Not In tbo least. I nm only nnx- made a number of purchases, not for
For the rest he was rapidly tanking lous to prevent special notice being getting some books. A double silver
out a plan which should secure hts in taken of me. You see. If others get to mounted photograpn stand caught hi»
terests eff(*ctually. lie hoiaxl liefore know I nm living hero alone. I will bo eye. It would hold the two l»»st pic
the day was out to have set on foot pointed ont ns a curiosity, and that tures lie |»is»e««od of Ills fHther am!
arrangements which would free him will not be pleasant."
mother, so ba bought it. He nlso ac
from nil anxiety.
Tbe request was eminently renaon- quired a dispatch tax In which he
From Somerset House he drove to the able, The manager assunsi him that could store Ills valuables, both Jewelry
Pall Mall hotel. A gigantic hall l*tr- strict orders would be given on the and documents, for Ite had quite a
ter, looking like a youthful major gen point Instantly, though he was quite num tier of rwidpts. letters am! other
ert>! In undress uniform, received him certain In Ills own mind that Inquiry things to safeguard now, nnd he did
with much ceremony and usl>er<sl him would soon bo made for this remark not wish servants* prj Ing eyes to ex-
to the office, where an urbane clerk able youth, perhaps by the police.
nmlno everything l»»longlng to Mui.
Instantly classed him as the avant
“You can leave us." said Philip to
When alone In hl« room lie ««»-ured
courier of on American family.
the valet In French.
the nlbiim nnd locked that sprolnl port
“I want a sitting room ant', bedroom
Now tlie chance uso of that lan manteau again, after stowing tlwrefn
en suite," said Philip.
guage, no h's» than his perfect accent, the tetter found Itontoith Mrs. Anson's
"One bedroom?" was the surprised went a long way toward removing the pillow. Soon his mother's dear face
query.
manager'» suspicions. A boy who was smiled nt him from n bowirtfnl bonier
“Yea.”
so «veil educated must be quite ont of of filigree silver The sight >rna pleas
“How many of you are there, then?” the common. Perhaps some eeceutrl« ant to him, smithing to his full mind.
purout or guardian eucourageil him to In her eyes was a message of fultt, of
"I beg your pardou?”
act tndei»>ndentiy thus early In life. trust, of absolute confidence In tin»
"Are you aloue?”
He might la> tbo son of a rich man future.
"Yes."
It was strange that be thought so
The clerk fumble«! with the register. coming to Ixmdon for a special courne
Precocious Juveniles were not un I of study. Tbe mime. Anson, was an little of his father nt this time, hut
known to hln>, but a boy of lUilllp's aristocratic «me. But bls clothes they the truth was that his childliood was
tyi»1 hail not hitherto arisen over his were odd. Good euougli. bill not the passed so much. In hl« mother's com-
right thing.
puny. nnd they were no Inseparable
horizon,
“Will you oblige me my foconi mend during the last two years, that mem
"A sitting room uml a b •droom en
ing a giMHl tailor?" »aid Philip. "I ories of Ills fiititer were shadowy.
suite?" he replied.
Y/»t the physlegnomist would have
n«*e 1 a complete outfit of wearing np
“Exactly.”
The clerk was disconcerted by «i’hll parol, anil It will »»««• n>e a lot of »«•tn that th«“ t»«y owed a great deal of
trouble If min elsaly will tell me exact bla strength ef character and well knit
Ip’s steady gaze.
frame to tbe hitndnome, stalwart man
ly what to buy ami where to buy It."
"On what floor?" he asked.
His uncanny trick of thought reading tebose name h«» bore.
"Beally," said Philip, "I don't know.
Rupi»«ro you tell me what accommoda disconcerted the manager greatly. Un
tion you have. Then I will decide at doubtedly the boy was a puzzle. Nev
Continued next »•«»
er had thia exp«»rlenced man of the
once."
The official, who was one of the world met any one more self pos-!
"Ike” Fountain has accepted a po
most skilled hotel clerks in Ixmdon.; m *» so <|,. more* direct and yet. with It all. I
sition temporarily In Burden ft Gra
found it ridiculous to be put out of exceedingly |sdlte.
“i take It that you want the beat?” ham’s shoe store.
fountenaoce by a mero toy who could
not be n «lay older than seventeen and be inquired pleasantly.
might l*e a g«»»l deal less, lie cast a
“Yea.”
“Are you lunching tn the hotel?”
critical eye on Philip's clothing and
"I would like something sent here. If
saw that, while It was good. It hail not
MKkWvUuW
and ihoald fcnow
you please. au<l there again your ad
¡yWlvrjnV.lilB
about th« woodmrfWt
tbe gloss of Vere de Tore.
M4RVIL
Wtoriieq Sever
He would paralyze him at one felt vice will he most gratefully accepted.”
blow, llttlo dreaming that the other, Tin« manager felt that n generation
rend III« glawe ami knew the exact ««« growing up of which lie knew
nothing, but he simply answered:
mental process of hl» reasoning
“I will se<> to It. Do you—er—take
"There Is a good suit recent on the
first fl<»»r, but It contain» a dressing! wine?"
Philip langbed. that pleasant whole
room nn<! tathroom.” he waM. smiling
souled laugh of his which Instantly se
the smile of n very knowing person.
"That sounds all right. I will take cured hint friends.
l^*«M--l»avle Drug lo., o atorra-
"Not yet, memsienr"—
It."
Woodward. Clarke Ä («« Porilaed,
"Foret 1» my name.”
"Ah. yes. It costs £3 n darf
"Well. M. Foret. 1 am far too youns
Tach of the six won!« In that por
tentous sentence centolne«l a note of as yet for either win«- or tobacco'. I
admiration that swelle«! ont Into a promised my mother I would touch
magnificent errocendo. It was a ver neither until I am twenty-one. and I
bal nrclanclie. leneath which thia will keep my word. I think I would
queer youth should tie crush«»! Into the like some cafe au lalt.”
“I understand. Your dejeuner will
very dnat.
"Five pounds a day!” observed tie rout up lu ten minutes. By tbo
Philip calmly. “I sup|>oro there would time you have finished I will have
people here from two or three estab
t»> a ro«!nctlon If taken for n month?”
“Well—er -dnrfng the season It Is lishments who will meet all your re
quirements In tlie shn|»- of clothes and
not—ero ostial to”—
"Oh, very well. I can easily arrange th«« r>«st."
An hour’s talk and the payment of
for a (»«rninnency later If I think fit.
What number 1a the suit, please an< , checks on account worked wonders.
will you kindly have my luggage sent Before many daya had passe«! Philip
1 was amply provided with raiment. His
thero at once?”
The clerk was demoralized, tint be presence In the hotel, too« attracted
’ DO CPteOteOt W'
n
• who Seid In Eugene by W. L Delano
managed to say;
A
Every Woman