Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-09-10
CHAPTER X.
CHAR LEN ~.
go" is the boy, sir" said the
policeman.


policeman.
sch. Is that him?" observed
L the inspector, sticking his
thumbs into his belt and gazing at Phil
ip with professional severity.
Philip met their scrutiny without
flinching. He leaned against the wall
with his hand, in his pockets, one fist
clinched over the pouchful Of gold, the
other guarding diamond bigger than
the Koh-i-Noor.
81 am sorry / have only one chair
gentlemen," he said apologetically.
That's all right lad said the IN
spector. "The constable here tells ms
that you very plucklly helped him tc
capture notorious burglar. The man
was hiding in this news, and it seems
you first saw him looking in til! HSll
your window. What were you doing ai
the time"
packing my portmanteau."
"Oh, packing your portmanteau."
"Yes. That is It."
He stopped and nonchalantly threw
1t open. His clothes and boots and
some Of the other contents We're ex'
posed to view. The inspector laughed
"Not many diamonds there, Brad
ley"
"No, sir. I told you Mason was talk
Ing rubbish"
"Did he say any more about me be,
ing the boy who found the meteorr'
asked Philip, with first rate attempt
at grin.
wouldn't talk Of anything else," vol,
unteered P. G. Bradley.
Judging by the way he dropped
when hit him, expect he saw stars, "
said Philip.
"Are you leaving here?" asked the
inspector.
Eyes, I must. The company which
owns these premises intends to pull
them down on the first Of next month"
"What is your name"
"Anson."
"Ah! I think I remember hearing
something about your mothers death.
Very nice woman, I was told. A lady
too"
Eyes; all that and more"
"Of course. That accounts for your
manners and appearance. Have you
found some friends?"
The inspectors glance roved from
the serviceable portmanteau to Philips
tidy garments, and 1t was his business
to make rapid deductions.
Eyes, most fortunately"
Anybody connected with Sharpe 4
Smith? 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 l
came on night duty strolled into the
news to find out If you were at home.
That is how l happened to see you."
He turned toward the inspector.
"He was packing his bag at the mo-
ment. sir, and Mason had evidently
been scared from the window by my
footsteps in the arch"
The inspector pursed out his underlip.
"The whole thing is perfectly clear"
he said. "Boy, have you got watchT'
mo-" said Philip, surprised by this
odd question.
bradley, he hasn't got watch" OBJ
served the inspector. He again ad-
dressed Philip.
"Where are you going tomorrow"
II am not quite sure, but my address
will be known to Mrs. Wrigley, the
James street laundry, Shepherds
Blsh."
"Ah! The constable says you do not
wish to be mixed up In the arrest OF
Mason. There Is no need for you to
appear In court, but-er-in such cases
as yours the-er-police like to show
their-er-appreclation Of your serv-
Ices. That is SO, Bradley. isn't it?"
Eyes, sir. II 1t hadn't been for him,
I shouldn't be here now. Jocky had
me fairly cornered."
"You had no time to summon assist
anceY
II barely heard he was here before
the window was smashed, and I knew
he was trying to get out the other way.
You heard him. Anson?"