Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-10-02
,w familiar with Els own persona

appearance as well as with the sem
blance and value Of his meteoric dia-
monds. The white stones, the clumps
of iron ore, had been described minute
~ by clever Journalists who supple
mented Isaacstein's clear statement by
facts cleaned from encyclopedias and
Interviews with biologists.
Most probably this man had read
long articles about him, for the story
was such as to bring watery curses to
the lips of every penniless yagrant in
the Kingdom. Indeed, the careful scru-
tiny bestowed on his face and clothes
bore out this suspicion. Had he not
changed his garments the stranger
would have known his identity beyond
all question. AS 1t was. the man was
puzzled and disturbed at the very mo.
ment he was about to say something.
What had happened to cause him 10
run away? What had he seen OF, heardP
Above all, how much did he know Of
Philip and his affairs?
Well, the door was locked, and 1t
would be folly to go out again that
night. The house was absolutely I'M
approachable save by the front. PhiliD
resolved to remain awake until day.
break. O'Brien's spade stood against
the fireplace. 1t was formidable
weapon, and he would not hesitate to
use it if forcible entry was attempted.
He must sit quietly in the dark, listen
Ing for each sound and threatening
boldly when he heard any one endeav-
oring to open door or window.
He sighed, for he was very tired, but
the vigil was imperative.
He dropped the drugget and scissors
and bent again over the portmanteau.
The packing operations might MS well
be finished now, and indeed when the
light was extinguished it would be bet
ter to keep away from the window,
through which a sudden thrust with
an implement might do him an injury.
Heftook his discarded clothes and ar
ranged them on top of the last parcels
of ore and diamonds. Then he reached
out for the small bundle of documents
resting on the chair behind him, in
tending to place them in n little pocket
in the flap which already covered one
nair OF the Dag
At that instant he again heard foot
steps. OF course very few seconds
had elapsed since he first caught sight
of the living specter without. The
ideas recorded at such length whirleil
through his active brain with lightning
speed just as the knowledge now came
that the Footsteps proceeded from the
entrance TO me news and not from Its
extremity, While their nrm regularity
betokened the advent OF some person
who had no special reason to conceal
his movements. 81
The boy listened breathlessly. The
oncomer reached his door, passed 1t
stopped opposite the window, and ther
another face peered over the curtain.
This time 1t was policeman.
For an instant their eyes met in mu
tual astonishment. Then the police
man came SO close that his helmet rest
ed against a pane of glass. He grinnet
afably and cried:
Here! want TO speak to you"
lntuitiyely grasping the essentia
fact that his best policy was one o.
ready acquiescence, Philip sprang to
ward the door and unlocked It, HI
stood on the step. The constable mp
preached.
u hope l didn't startle you.' he be
gan, but Just looked In OH the of
chance
II am very glad indeed to see you,'
Interrupted the boy. II am leaving her,
tomorrow. Just now, while wa
packing some OF my belongings, yer.
nasty looking man came and peepet
IN at me IN the same way as you did"
lie packed into the house. The police
man half followed him, his quick glance
noting the open portmanteau and 1T
array OF old clothes.
Just now!" he questioned. do yol
mean can some tune Me s sine -