The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-08-09

| smme, 'ope the lad turns up again,
an not for the sake of the bloomin'
ninepence, ne Their Tomatoes, mum?
Yes'm. Fresh in this mornin'."
After crossing Holborn viaduct Philip
stood for n little while gazing into the
showroom OF a motor agency. 1t was
not that he was Interested In Panhard
DE- De Dion cars, then but little known
to the general public in England, but
rather that he wished to rehearse care
| fully the programme to be followed
with Mr.. Isaacsteip,} With a sagacity
unlocked for In one Of his years, he de-
| .ided that the meteor should not be
| mentioned at ALL OF course the dia
nond merchant would instantly recog-
| niZe the stone as meteoric diamond
and would demand its earthly pedigree-
| Philip resolved to adhere to the simple
statement that 1t was his own proper
w and that any reasonable inquiry
might he made in all quarters where
meteorlc diamonds were obtainable as
TO whether or not such stone was
missing. Meanwhile he could obtain
| from Mr.. Isaacstein a receipt aclinowl-
edging its custody and small advance
Of money TAR below its real worth,
leaving the completion OF the transac-
! ton until 6 later date. The question
Of giving o. Withholding his address
| II It were asked for was difficult one
| TO settle effaand. Perhaps the course
If events would permit him to keep
iohnsons News altogether~out OF the
record. and more reputable habita-
aion would te provided once he had the
| requisite funds.
1 Thinking he had successfully tackled
all the problems that would demand
| solution, Philip wasted no more time.
| He entered Hatton Garden and had
| not gone past many of it's dingy houses
| until he saw a large brass plate bear
| ing tic legend, "Isaacstein d Co., Dia-
mond Merchants, Kimberley, Amstcr-
dam and London"
| He entered the Office and was in
stantly confronted by a big nosed
| youth who surveyed him through
| grille with an arched opening in 1t to
| admit letters and small parcels.
"Is Mr.. Isaacstein in?" said Philip.
| "Oah, yess," grinned the other.
| "Will you kindly tell him 1 wish to
! see him?'
"Oah, yess." There was joke lurk-
| ing somewhere in the atmosphere, but
| the young man had not caught it's drift
| vet. The gaunt and unkempt visitor
was evidently burlesquing the accent
of such gentle people as came to the
Office on business.
/ fad a far cnnnnHG Tho.
| boy behind the grille filed In the in
terval by copying an address into the
stamp book.
| "Why do you not tell Mr.. Isaacstein
| i am hereT he said at last.
"Oah, yess. Tou vii be funny, ehr'
| The other smirked over the hidden
| humor of the situation, and Philip
| understood that If he would see the
great man Of the firm he must adopt
more emphatic tone.
81 had better warn you that Mr.. Will
son of Messrs. Grant & Sons, Ludgate
| Hill, sent me here to see Mr.. Isaac
stein. Am 1 to go back to Mr.. Wilson
| and say that the Office boy refuses to
| admit me?'
There was sting in the description,
| coming from such a speaker.
| "Look ere was the angry retort
"Go away und blay, vii you? I'm
pizzy."
Then Philip reached quickly through
the little arch, grabbed handful of
shirt, tie and waistcoat and dragged
the big nose and thick lips violently
against the wires of the grille.
| 'Will you do what / ask or shall I
try and pull you through" he said
| quietly.
But the boys ready yell brought two
clerks running, and door was thrown
| open. Phil released his opponent and
instantly explained his action. One of
the clerks, an elderly man, looked a
little deeper than the boys ragged gar
| ments, and the mention of Mr.. will
sons name procured him a hearing.
Moreover, he had previous experience
| Of the youthful janitor's methods.
With cuff on the ear, this injured
| parsonage was hidden to go upstairs
and say that Mr.. Wilson had sent a
| boy to see Mr.. Isaacstein. The added
insult came when he was compelled
| to usher Philip to waiting room.
Soon a clerk entered He was visi-
bly, astonished by the appearance Of
Mr.. Wilson's messenger, and so was
Mr.. Isaacstein when Philip was parad-
ed before him in spacious apartment
filed with glass cases and tables, at
which several assistants were seated
What the deuce he began, but
checked himself. "What does Mr.. Will
son want:" he went on. Evidently his
Ludgate Hill acquaintance was useful
to Philip.
He wants nothing, sir" said Philip.
HE sent me to see you on a matter Of
business. 1t is of~ private nature.
Can you give me few minutes alone2"
1saacstein was a big headed, big
shouldered man, tapering to a small
point at his feet He looked absurdly
like top, and surprise or emotion Of
| any sort caused him to sway gently.
He swayed now, and every clerk look
ed up, expecting him to fall bodily on
to the urchn with the refined utter
ance who had dared penetrate into
| the potentate's Office with such a re-
uuesf