Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-08-13
: The KING Of :
DIAMONDS.
BY Louis Tracy,
COPYRIGHT. 1904. By EDWARD j. GLOBE .
CHAPTER Nv.
Author Of wings of the Morning." 1.-The Pillar Of
2 Light" Etc.

CHAPTER w.
"HE keen. strong March wind
soon blew the clouds from his
brain. He did not hurry toward
4 Hatton Garden. He sauntered,
rather. with his right hand clinched
on the tiny parcel in his pocket, the
parcel which had suddenly been en-
dowed with such magic potentialities.
1t was the instinct to guard treasure
of great value that led to this invOlun-
tary action. He was preoccupied. dis
turbed. vaguely striving to grasp q
vision that seemed to elude his exact
comprehension.
What did 1t all mean? Was it really
possible that he, Philip Anson, or
phaned. beggared, practically starv-
ing tramp. should have the riches Of
Golconda showered upon him in this
mad fashion? If the small stone he
had shown to the jeweler were worth
hundreds, then some Of those in the
paper were worth thousands, while as
for the stone in the back yard Of his
house-well, imagination boggled at
the effort to appraise It. The thought
begot sense of caution, of reserve,
of well reasoned determination not to
reveal his secret to anybody. Perhaps
1t would be best not to take Messrs.
Isaacstein & Co. wholly into his conf
dence. He would simply show them
the stone he had exhibited to Mr.. VIII
son and take the best price they Of
fered. Then. with the money In his
possession. he could effect a much
needed change in his appearance, visit
them again, and gradually increase his
supply of diamonds until he had OBJ
tainl more money than he could
possibly spend during many years.
Above all else was 1t necessary that
his meteor should be removed to
safer place than JOhnson's News.
Philip had scruples about appropriate
ing It. Lords of the manor and crown
rights he had never heard Of.
His mother, watching his every
action from some Elysian height, had
sent the diamond loaded messenger
as a token of her love and care. 1t
was his, and no man should rob him OF
1t. 1t behooved him to be sparing OF
explanations and sturdy in defense OF
his property.
a good deal depended on the FORTH
coming interview, and he wished he
ccul. convert Il small fraction Of the
wealth IN his pocket into a few honest
pennies with the kings head on them.
The excitement and exercise had made
him hungry again. His breakfast was
rot Of ample proportions, and his
meals of yesterday had been OF the
scantiest. 1t would be well to face
the diamond merchants with the easy
confidence that springs from satisfied
appetite. Yet how 10 manage 1t! lie
was sorry now he had not borrowed
sixpence from O'Brien. The old SOL
der would certainly have lent 1t to
him. He even thought of returning to
the Mile End road to secure the loan,
but he happened to remember that the
day was Saturday, and 1t was probable
that the Hatton Garden offices would
close early. 1t was then nearly II
o'clock. and be could not risk the de-
lay of the long, double journey.
At that instant savory smell was
waited to him. He was passing
small restaurant where sausages and
onions sizzled gratefully In large tin
trays and pork chops lay in Inviting
prodigality amid rich, brown gravy.
The proprietor, portly and greasy
man with bald head and side whiskers,
was standing at the door exchanging
views as to business with his next door
neighbor, q greengrocer. Philip, bold
in the knowledge of his wealth. re-
solved to try what he could achieve on
credit.
He walked up to the pair.
81 have not got any money just
now," lie sail to the restaurant Keep
err, "but If you will let me have some
thing to eat | will gladly come back
this afternoon anu pay you double"
Neither man spoke ut first. Philip
was always unconscious of the quaint
discrepancy between h!s style OF
speech :ni his attire. lie used to re-
ent bitterly the attonis,iEc?t exhibit
ID hy s.I'an. ,e.s. but toGa? he was far
removed ABOVE these considerations.
md Ee backed his request with peas
mt smile.
The fat man grew apOplectic ana
turned his eyes to the sky.
We'll. In he splnt.ered.
The gr.engrocer laughed. and Philip
blushed.
"Do You refuse?" he said, with his
downright manner and direct stare.
"Well. OF all the cool cheek The
stout persons feelings were too much
for him. He could find no other words.
ut is a fair Offer" persisted the boy.
"You don't think I mean to swindle
you, surely"
"Well, there! never did,
But the greengrocer intervened.
"You're sharp lad" he guffawed.
'D'ye want job?'
mo" was the short reply. Il want
something to eat"
Dash my buttons, an you're like
ly sort Of kid to get it too. In you go.
I'll pay the bill. Lord lumme, it'll do
me good to see you"
MIR. Judd, are you mad" demanded
his neighbOr. whose breath had re-
turned to him.
"Not bit Of 1t. The bloomin. kid
can't get through bob's worth II he
bursts himself. Ere, I'll bet you two
bob e pays up"
'Done! Walk In, sir. Wot'll you be
pleased to ave, sir?"
Philips indignation at the restaurant
keepers sarcasm yielded to his wish to
see him annihilated later in the day.
Moreover. the sausages really smels
excellently, and he was now ravenouS.
He entered the shop and gave his Or
ders with quiet dignity that astound.
| ed the proprietor and hugely delighted
| the greengrocer, who, In the intervals
| Of business, kept peeping at him
/ ,or.,l, Tho xvtpdau philtr a tQ ctn0tI-