Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-10-07
y The King of Diamonds. ~
TALE OF MYSTERY AND ADVENTURE
By TRACY.

By LOUIS TRACY.

Philips eyes sparkled and his breast
heayed unanimously. For the life of
him he could utter no word, but Mr.. Alb
ingdon helped him by quietly directing
the usher to permit the lad to leave the
dock and take seat at the solicitors
table
Then, speaking slowly and with some
gravity, he said:
Philip Moriand-that is the only name
by which | know you--the authorities
have come to the conclusion that your
story is right. You have unquestionably
found a deposit of diamonds, and al
though this necessarily exists on some
persons property, there is no evidence to
show whose property it is. 1t may be
your own. 1t may be situated beyond
the confines of this kingdom. There are
many hypothesis, each of which may be
true; but, in any event, if others lay
claim to this treasure trove-and l warn
you that the crown has a right in such
matter-the issue is a civil and not a
criminal one. Therefore, YOU are dis
charged, and your property is now hand
ed back to you intact"
A clerk placed before Philip his parcel
OF diamonds, his key, the rusty knife,
the pieces of string, and the two buttons
truly motley collection The boy
was pale, and his voice somewhat trem-
ulous as he asked:
May | go now. sir?"
MIR. Abingdon leaned back in his chair
and passed his hand over his face to
conceal a smile
L have something more to say to YOU"
ne answered. 1T is an offense against
the law to withhold your name and ad-
dress. l admit the powerful motives
which actuated you, so l make the very
great concession that your earlier refusal
Will be overlooked if you privately tell
me that which you were unwilling TO
state publicly"
Philip instantly decided that it would
be foolish in the extreme TO refuse this
offer. He pocketed his diamonds. looked
the magistrate straight in the face, and
said:
Il will do that, sir. AS the informa-
ton IS to be given to you alone, may |
write it,"
The policemeS and other officials snig.
gered at this display of caution. but the
magistrate nodded, and Philip wrote his
name and address on a sheet of fools
cap, which he folded before handing it to
the usher.
To his great surprise, Mr. Abingdon
placed the paper in pocketbook with
out opening it.
Il will make no use of this document
unless the matter comes before me again
officially. L wish to point out to YOU
that L have brought YOU from prison at
the earliest possible moment. and have
spared you the publicity which your
movements would attract We're your case
settled in open court. You are not aware,
perhaps, that you figure largely in the
eyes of the public at this moment. There
are newspapers which would give a hun
bred pounds to get hold of you. There
are thieves who would shadow your
every movement waiting for a chance to
wayiay and rob you-murder you. if
necessary. l have taken precautions.
therefore, to safeguard you, at least
within the precincts of this court. but |
cannot be responsible beyond its limits.
May | ask what you intend to do?"
Philip, proud in the knowledge that he
was cleared of all dishonor, was at no
loss for words now.
First, | wish to thank you, sir he
said. "You have acted most kindly to-
ward me, and, when l am older | hope
to be permitted to acknowledge your
thoughtfulness better than is possible to-
day. l will endeavor to take care of my
self. l am going now to see Mr.. Isaac
stein. 1 do not expect that he will send
for policeman again. If he does, | will
bring him before you"
Tho ore IN bip,coIf
this sally.
you are a strange boy" he said Il
think you are acting wisely. But-er-
you have no money-that is, in a sense.
Hatton Garden is some distance from
here, Let me-er-iend you a cab fare -
Thank you, sir" said Philip, and Mr.
Abingdon, unable to account for the in
terest he felt in the boy, quite apart
from his inexplicable story, gave him
FIVE shillings and shook hands with him.