Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-07-25
CHAPTER V.


the staring streets. The evcrlast-
L ing oilers Of London's busiest thor
Oughfares gathered around the police
man and his prisoner with grlnnlng
cnllousness.
"Wots e bin a.doin' of"
"Nlcked lydy's purse, eh?"
Nav Bin ticklin' the til, moro
like"
"Rli-me don't q look sick"
They ran and buzzed around him
like wasps, singing most bitterly with
coarse words and coarser laughter. An
omnibus slowed its pace to let them
cross the road, and Philip knew that
the people on top crancd their nccks to
have n good look at him. When near
ing the viaduct steps, the policeman
growled something at the pursuing
crowd. Another constable strobe rap
idly to the entrance and cut off the
loafcrs, sternly advising them to find
some other destination. But the res
nite was brief one. The pair reached
Harrington street ana had barely at
tracted attention before they passed
4
ed. he hour was yet early for midday
customers, and the baldheaded propric-
tor saw them coming. He rushed out.
The grcengrocer, too, turned from his
wares and joined in the ordinations
of his friend at this speedy dcnoucmcnt
Of the trivial incident OF twenty min
utcS earlier
The restaurant keeper was made jul
bllant by this dramatic vindication Of
the accuracy Of his Judgment.
"'rhe thievin' young scamp" he ejac
ulatcd. That's right Mr. Policeman
Lock i'm up. 'E's reglar wrong 'un."
The constable stopped Hello" he
said. "Do You know him."
Il should think ] did. Z KEN err
just now an obtained q good blowout
Oh false prctcnces. an -
"'Old ard" put in the greengrocer,
that's not quite the ticket. L asked
you to trust i'm, but you wouldn't
The stout man gurgled.
Not me- l know is sort. But e 'ad
you a fair treat, Billy"
"Mebbe, an mebbc not. Ennyhow,
two bob won't break me, an I'm sorry
for the kid. Wot's e done, Mr.. Police
man?" Mr.. Judd was nettlcd, yet IN
willing to acknowledge he was wholly
| wrong.
"Stole heap of diamonds. Do either
of you know him."
"Never saw him afore this mornin'."
"Never bin in my 'ouse before
"Then come along and Philip was
tugged onward, but not before he
| found courage to say;
THANK you once moro, Mr.. Judd. I
( will keep my word. never fear"
What are you thanking him for?'
said the constable.
"For believing in me-" was the curt
answer.
! The policeman tried TO extract some
meaning from the words. but failed.
! He privately admitted that 1t was an
/ extraordinary affair. How came q
boy who spoke like gentleman and
was dressed like a street arab to be
wandering about London with peck
etful Of diamonds and admitted to
the private office Of the chief diamond
( merchant in Uatton Garden? He gave
1t up, but silently thanked the stars
which connected him with an impOr-
tant case.
At last Philips Via Dolorosa ended
in the Brldewell police station, lie
was paraded before the Inspector in
charge. functionary who would not
have exhibited any surprise had the
German emperor been brought before
him charged with shoplifting.
He opened huge ledger tried if his
pen would make a hair stroke on a
piece Of paper and said laconically:
"Name:"
No answer from the prisoner follow
ed by emphatic demands from inspect
or and constab bic. the former volunteer
ing the information that to refuse youl
name and address was In itself an of
Tense against the law.
Philips sanGfroid was coming to his
aid. The horror of his passage through
the gaping mob had cautcrzed all 9th
er sentiments, and he now saw that II
he would preserve his incoguito he
must adopt Il rusc
"Philip Morlnnd." he said doggedly
when the inspector asked him his
name for the last time before record
ing definite refusal.
"Philip Morlandr 1t sounded curl
ously familiar in his ears. His mother
was n Miss Morland prior to her mar
rage but he had not noticed the ode
coincidence that he should have beer
christened after the "Sr Philip Of the
packet of letters so fortunately left be
hind that morning.
"AddressT
"Park lane"
The inspector began to write befor,
the nbsurdity Of the reply dawned OF
him. He stopped.
rs your mother a caretaker there OF
your father employed IN news"
"My father and mother are dead"
Then will You kindly inform u,
what number in Park lane you live
at?"
Il have not determined that as yet
intend to buy house there
Some constables lounging about the
Office laughed, and the inspector, In
censed out Of his routine habits. shout
ed angriy:
This is no place for joking, boy
Answer me properly or 1t will be worse
for you"
II have answered you quite properly
The constable who brought me hei,
has in his possession diamonds wor''