The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-09-13
CHAPTER X

in with professional severity.
Philip met their scrutiny without
flincbing. He leaned against the wall
with his hands in his pockets, one nst
clinched over the pouchful Of gold, the
other guarding diamond bigger imam
the Koh-iNoor.
81 am sorry l have only one chalr'
gentlemen" he said apologetically.
That's all right lad said the In
socctor. 1.-THE constable here tells me
that you very pluckily helped him 70
capture a notorious burglar. The man
was hiding in this news, and it seems
you first saw him looking in through
YOUR window. What were you doing at
the timer"
packing my portmanteau."
ooh, packing your portmanteau."
eyes. That is it"
He stopped and nonchalantly threw
1t open. His clothes and boots and
some of the other contents were ex-
posed to view. The inspector laughed.
mot 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 meteor"
asked Philip, with first rate attempt
at a grin.
"Wouldn't talk Of anything else," vol
unteered 2. c. Bradley.
Judging by the way he dropped
when hit him, expect he saw stars, ,"
said Philip.
Are you leaving here?' asked the
Inspector.
Yes, must. The company which
owns these premises intends to pull
item down on the first Of next month"
What is your nameF
"Anson."
"Ah! l think I remember hearing
something about your mothers DEATH
Very nice woman, was told. A lady
too.'
Yes; 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 &
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 A o'clock. l 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 /
came on night duty I strolled into the
news to find out If you were at home.
That is how happened to see you"
He turned toward the inspector.
"He was packing his bag at 1se 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 watch?'
"No," said Philip, surprised by this
bid question.
bradley, he hasn't got watch" OBJ
served the inspector. He again adj
dressed Philip.
"Where are you going tomorrow
IL am not quite sure, but my address
will be known to Mrs. Wrigley, the
James street laundry, Shepherds
Bush
"Ah! The constable says you do moi
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'
res. That is SO, Bradley, isn't it?'
s"Yes, sir. II It hadn't been for him
shouldn't be here now. Jocky hat
me fairly cornered."
"You had no time to summon assist
ance?'
II barely heard he was here befor,
the window was smashed, and / knew
he was trying to get out the other way
You heard him, AnsonY'
Philip looked the policeman SQUARED,
In the eyes.
"You had just taken Off your great
coat when the glass cracked" he said.
Police Constable Bradley stopped {,
pick up his coat. He did not wish thi
portion Of the nights proceedings to b.
described too minutely. In moving tn
garment he disturbed the packet of LET
tiers. Instantly Philip recalled tn
names of the solicitors mentioned b,
the constable.
you said that clerk from Messrs
Sharpe & Smith called here twicer b.
asked
Eyes"
He picked out one of the letters
opened 1t and made certain of his fact
before he cried angriIy:
Then want to have nothing what
ever to do with them. They treatc,
my mother shamefully."
The inspector had sharp eyes.
what Is the date Of that letterr' b