Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-06-06
The PiccadiLLy Puzzle.
THE STORY OF A TERRIBLE EPISODE
In THE LIFE OF An ENGLISH
EOBLEMAN.
BY F. w. HUME
CHAPTER VII.
A JUVENILE DETECTIVE.

Flip was a small, dried-up looking boy,
born and brought up in London slum.
He had no pareuts-at least, none that he
could remember-and had he been asked
how he came into existence he would
probably have answered, Topsy-like, that
he "grOWed. His mother andfather had
both deserted him at an early age, giving
him nothing to remember them by, not
even a name, so he was thrown on the
world a squalIing brat. Nevertheless, ne
managed to get along somehow to the age
Of fifteen, at which period Of his life
DoWker CHANGED on him and his prospects
began to improve.
s. DOWker underneath his drab exterior
concealed a kind heart, and, having met
Flip one night in the rain, had taken
compassion on the miserable morsel of
humanity and given him cup of coffee
to warm him and a roll of bread to satisfy
his hunger. Flip was so touched at this
disinterested kindness that he attached
himself with dOg-like fidelity to the de-
tectiVe and tried to serve him to the best
Of his small ability.
Having had to fight his way in the
world, Flip had developed a wonderful
sharpness of intellect at a very early age
and DOwker turned this hunger educated
instinct to good account, for he often set
the little urchin to follow cabs, run mes
sages, and do other small matters which
ne required. Flip performed all these
duties so we'll and promptly that DOwker
began to take an interest in him, and set
to work to cultivate this stunted flower
which had sprung up amid the evil weeds
OF the slums. He had q meeting place
appointed with Flip in Drury Lane, and
whenever he wanted him went there to
seek him out. Flip listened to his pa
irons instructions carefully, and, having
a wonderfully tenacious memory Of an
unciviliZed kind, he never forgot what he
IL T. 3. 4 4
DoWker gave him shilling week, and on
this small sum Flip managed to exist, with
occasional help from casual passers-by.
Every one in London knows Drury
lane, that quaint, dirty narrow street
leading to the Strand.
Flip was sitting considering at the
edge Of the pavement, with his feet, for
sake Of GOODNESS, in the gutter, and his
eyes fixed on three dirty pennies lying in
his own dirty drown palm.
"Wot's h'up, guv'nor?" he asked, with
leer. Flip's leer was not pleasant-it
had such an unhOly appearance. More
larks-my heye, I thOrt I'd never twig
you agin. Ave You bin hover the gar
din-wal arter prig?"
Hold your tongue" said Dowker,
sharply. want you to do something
for me-are you hungry"
Not much, said Flip, coolly, "but I
don't mind a am san wich."
Dowker cast a sharp glance at the
ragged little figure walking beside him.
he asked.
my h'eye, it's a rigIer game. said
Flip, rubbing his grimy hands together,
as they turned into a ham and beef
shop. -Iu tell yer allan I'll ave, an
bread"
Being supplied with these luxuries at
the expense OF DOwker, Flip stuffed his
mouth with a liberal portion. and then
began to talk.
@Larst Monday" he began.
@Ha, said Dowker, suddenly recollect-
ing the date Of the murder, yesterday"
mo, the Monday afOre, said Flip, it
were at mite, lawful fCggy, my heye, a
rigler corker it were. I was as 'ungry as
bloomin' tyke an couldn't find you no
how, so h'up goes to Soho to see hold
Jem Mux, you knows i'm, guvnor, the
cove as keeps the Pink I'm"
Yes, the sporting pub, replied Dow
Same game, said Flip, e gives me
summat to eat when arsks it, so I goes
h'uD to cadge some wictuals. Igits cold
meat, my h'eye, prime, an bread an
beer, SO when I 'ad copied the grub,
was a-gittin' away hOut of the bar when
a swell cove comes in-lor', what a swell
fur coat an a shiny at. Ses . to the
gal, ses Q, is that ere sparrin' comm or
this evenin'? Yes, says she, in the
drorin' room Right you hare ses g
Il want to see it afore leave Hengland
I was a-goin down to my yotsh, ses e
sbut I'll put it OFF till tomorrow, as
wants to see this set-to, then g rwig
me, an ses e, Are you cold?' ses e. Yes,
SEES l. ''Ungry? Not much, ses
''Ere's some tin for you, you pore littl,
devil, an I'm blessed if e didn't tip me
soy, SO I've been Twin like dock on
since I sawr you-nice game, amt 1t
guv'nor?"
During this recital Dowker had no
paid much attention till Flip spoke o
the yacht, then he suddedly prieked u
his ears, for it daWned on him that thi
unknown benefactor of Flip's might pos
sibIy be Lord CallistOn.
Monday night ne was going out c
town" nurmured DOWker, "but ne We
always q sporting blade, so perhaps /
stopped for this fight and then went dow
next morning. I wonder where he M