The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-06-19
BY Louis Tracy,
Continued from yesterdayD

The boy walked behind them me-
chanically, shading the candle with his
hand. He was 50 absorbed with his
tumultuOus thoughts that the first in
dication he received of anything bizarre
in his appearance was the giggling OF
a girl who saw him standing in the
arch of the news carefully shielding
the Pickering wick.
He blew it out. A clock in the small
jewelers. shop opposite showed the
time-ten minutes past IL. In that
part Of London, busy hive of men and
women Of the working class, he had no
chance of removing his belongings be-
fore the policeman returned.
What would happen if the friendly
constable believed Jocky Mason's ex-
cited statements? True, Philip had
no reason to fear the law. but with
exposure might come other troubles.
Would any one advance a claim to his
meteor? Mr. Abingdon limited at such
a thing. He paid no rent for his
house; he might be turned out instant
ly-refused permission to remove any
thing except his few unstable house
hold goods.
Assuredly he was in an awkward
predicament. OF course there was a
chance that the policeman would con-
tinue to laugh at the convicts folly.
If he did not, there would certainly be
complication. Could he avoid them by
any means? Where was there a safe
hiding place for his diamonds until
next day? Would mother inspire him
again as she had not failed to do dur
ing so many strange events? Would
her spirit guide his footsteps across
this new quicksand on whose verge
he hesitated?
A few doors to the left was O'Brien's
shop. The old man crept into sight,
staggering under the weight of a shut
ter. Good gracious! Why had he not
thought of this ally sooner? Some
precious minutes were wasted already.
"Arrah. Phil, phwat in the worruld''-
wait just the least bit, Mr.. O'Brien.
l have some portmanteaus that | want
to store for the night. Do let me put
them at the back of your shop. My
place is not very safe, you know"
"Sure, boy. that's a shmall thing to
TX. Bring 'em, an welcome"
With the speed of a deer Philip dived
into the news. He carried the two
lesser bags without extraordinary diff
ficulty and deposited them behind
O'Brien's counter. The third was al
most too much for him, as the weight
was all in one hand, but he got it there,
tI,o
He had to open the fourth and tear
out the stuffing of paper. When filed
with the packages taken from the
fifth. it was beyond his power To lift
It, so he dragged it bodily along the
news and into the shop.
A passerby offered to help him.
mo, thanks" he managed to say,
though the effort TO speak calmly took
away his remaining breath. Il am
only taking it to the shop there"
The man glanced at the shop-it was
q marine store dealers-a place where
lead and iron and brass found ready
sale. He passed on.
BE the forchun NV war. Phil where
did We get the iligant leather TRUNKS
an phwats in them? 2" inquired the as
tonished pensioner.
The boy bravely called a smile to his
aid. Il have q big story to tell you
/ one of these days. Mr.. O'Brien, but
/ have no time tonight. These things
will not be in your way until the morn.
ing?"
The divil a bit If things go on as
J 10 1rvJ
I in the poor ould shop. To think afthel
+ all these years that murtherin' thief
+ in the war Office
Philip was safe. He rapidly helped
his friend to put up the shutters and
rushed back to No. 3. Even yet h(
was not quite prepared for eventual
ties He ran upstairs and gathered {
few articles belonging to his mother
articles he never endeavored to sci
even when pinched by hunger.
The last dress she wore. her boots E;
hat. an album with photographs, some
toilet accessories from the tiny dress
ing table. the coverlet of the bed OF
which she died-these and kindred me
mentos made a very credible bulk il
the denuded portmanteau.
He gave one glance at the hole Il
the back yard as he went to the Goa
house for fresh supply of coal. Tha
must remain. 1t probably would no
be seen. In any case it remained il
applicable.
He was stirring the fire when a ia
sounded on the door, and the police
man entered, followed by an inspector
CHAPTER X
"T HIS is the boy, sir" said tn