Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-08-08


Not many diamonds there, Brad.
ley"
"No. sir. I told you Mason was talk
ing rubbish"
Ibid he say any more about me be-
Ing the boy who found the meteorT'
asked Philip, with a first rate attempt
at a grin.
Wouldn't talk Of anything else" vol
unteered =. 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, 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"
Yes; all that and more
"Of course. That accounts for your
manners and appearance. Have you
found some frcnds?"
The inspectors glance rovcd from
the scrviceable portmauteau to Philips
tidy garments, and It was his business
to make rapid deductions.
eyes, most fortunately"
"Anyhody connected with sharpe &
SMITH the constable put in.
sharpe & Smith? Who are they?"
Don't you know? Their young man
certainly didn't keem to know much
about your movements. lie has been
here twice looking for you. The FIRST
time was-lct me see--last Monday
about 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
Their inquiries today. so as soon as I
came on night duty ! stroled into the
news to find out If you were at home.
That is how happened to see you
lie turned toward the inspector.
He was packing his bag at the mo-
ment. sir and Mason had evidently
been scared from the window ny my
footsteps in the arch"
The inspector pursed out his underlip.
"The whole thing IS perfectly clear"
be said. BOY, have you got watch =
"No." said Philip. surprised by this
odd question.
Bradley, he hasn't got watch" OBJ
served the inspector. lie again adj
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, Shepherd $
Bush"
"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
neutrality-suspicious. Of your serv.
Ices. That Is So Bradley. isn't it?'
"Yes, sir. If 1t hadn't been for him
I shouldn't he here now. Jocky had
me fairly cornered.'
You had no time TO summon assist
Rnce?"
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, AnsonT
Philip looked the policeman squarely
in the eyes.
you had just taken of your great.
coat when the glass cracked" he said.
Police Constable Bradley stopped 10
pick up his coat. He did not wish this
portion of the nights proceedings to be
described too infinitely. In moving the
garment he disturbed the packet of let
tcrs. Instantly Philip recalled the
names OF the solicitors mentioned by
the constable.
"You said that a clerk from Mcssrs.
Sharpe Il Smith called here twiceI' he
asked.
Yes"
He picked out one Of the letters,
opened it and made certain of his facts
before he cried an9rily:
Then I want to have nothing what
ever to do with them. They treated
my mother shamcfuIly."
The inspector had sharp eyes.
what is the date of that letter." he
inquired
Jan. 1S of this year"
And what are those--pawn tickets?''
YES, some Of my mothers jewelry
and dresses. Her wedding ring was
the last to go. Most Of them are ont
Of date, but intend to-I will try to
ding ring"
JOcky Mason's romance was now dis
sipnted into thin air. The contents OF
the portmanteau, the sQualid appear
ance of the house, the date of the so
licitOr's letter, the bundle Of pawn
tickets offered conclusive evidence to
the inspectors matter Of fact mind
that the ex-convict's story was the eff
feet Ut truncheon rapidly applied tc
a brain excited by the newspaper com
ments on sensational yarn about
some boy who had found parcel OF
diamonds.
This youngster had not been favor
ed by any such extraordinary piece OF
luck. Simple chance had led him to
put the police on the track OF much
wanted scoundrel, and he had very
bravely prevented member of the
force from being badly worsted in the
ensuing encounter.
A subscription would be made among
the officers and men of the division
and they would give him silver