Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-10-23

cts. Immured in this cage, rafting
over the pavements, he seemed to be
advancing through tunnel into an I'M
known world.
At last the van stopped, and he was
led forth into the yard of the police
court He followed the same route as
on the previous Saturday, but when
he assembled into the court itself he
discovered change. The magistrate.
a couple of clerks and some policemen
alone were present. The general pub
lie and the representatives of the press
were not visible.
He had scarcely flccI the bench
when the magistrate said:
"You are set at liberty The police
withdraw the charge against you"
Philips eyes sparkled, and his breast
heaved unanimously. For the life of
him he could utter no word, but Mr..
Abingdon helped him by quietly direct
ing the usher to permit the lad to leave
the dock and take a seat at the so
ncitors' table.
Then, speaking slowly and with
some gravity, he said:
name by which I know you-the au-
fhorities have come to the conclusion
that your story is right You have I'M
Questionably found a deposit of dia-
monds, and, although this necessarily
exists on some persons property, there
1s 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. II others lay claim to this treas
ure trove-and warn you that tina
crown has right In such a matter
the issue Is a civil and not a criminal
one. Therefore you are discharged
and your property is now handed back
to you intact
A clerk placed before Philip his par
eel OF diamonds, his key, the rusty
knife, the pieces of string and the two
buttons truly a motley collection. The
boy was pale and his voice somewhat
tremulous as he asked:
May go now, sir7"
Mr.. Abingdon leaned back in his
chair and passed his hand over Ais
face 10 conceal a smile.
Il have something more to say to
wou," he answered 1T is an offense
against the law to withhold your name
and address. 1 admit the powerful
motives which actuated you, so 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 1t would
be foolish in the extreme to refuse this
offer. He pocketed his diamonds, look
ed the magistrate straight in the face
and said:
II will do that, sir. As the informa-
zion is to be given to you alone, may
write it?''
The policemen and other officials
sniggered at this G.-rlay Of caution.
but the magistrate nodded, and Philip
wrote his name and address on a sheet
of foolscap, which he folded before
handing it to the usher.
To his great surprise, Mr.. Abingdon
placed the paper in pocketbook with
out opening it.
IT will make no use of this document
unless the matter comes before me
again officially. / wish to point out to
you that l have brought you from pris-
on at the earliest possible moment and
have spared you the publicity which
your movements would attract were
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 hundred pounds to get
hold Of you. There are thieves who
would shadow your every movement,
waiting for a chance to waylay and
rob you-murder you If necessary. l
have taken precautions, therefore, to
safeguard you, at least within the pre-
cincts of this court but l cannot be re-
sponsible beyond its limits. May I
ask what you intend to dor
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
toward me, and when l am older /
hope 10 be permitted to acknowledge
your thoughtfulness better than is pos
sible today. 1 will endeavor to take
care OF myself. am going now to see
Mr.. Isaacstein. do not expect that
he viii send for policeman again. II
he does, will bring him before you"
The magistrate himself laughed al
this sally.
''You are strange boy" he said. II
think you are acting wisely. Butter
you have no money-that is, in a
sense. Hatton Garden Is some dis
tance from here. Let me-er-lend you
a cab fare"
THANK you, sir" said Philip. And
Mr.. Abingdon, unable to account for
the interest he felt in the boy, quite
apart from his inexplicable story, gave
him 8 shillings and shook hands with
him.