Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-08-13

After crossing HolbOrn yiaduct Phiiil
stood for a little while gazing into the
showroom of q motor agency. 1t wal
not that he was interested In PanharC
or De Dion cars, then but little known
to the general public In England. bu
rather that he wished to rehearse care
| fully the programme to be followed
with Mr.. Isaacstein. With sa9acity
unlocked for In one of his years, he de
cided that the meteor should not bt
mentioned at all. OF course the dia
mond merchant would instantly recog
| niZe the stone as meteoric diamond
and would demand It's earthly pedigree
| Philip resolved to adhere to the simple
| statement that 1t was his own proper
| ty and that any reasonable inquiry
might he made in all quarters where
meteoric diamonds were Obtainable as
| to whether or not such q stone was
| missing. meanwhile he could obtain
| from Mr. IsaacStein a receipt acknowl
edging its custody and q small advance
of money far below its real worth
leaving the completion of the transac
| ton until later date. The question
of giving or withholding his address
| II 1t were asked for was difficult one
to settle offhand. Perhaps the course
of events would permit him to keep
JohnsoI's News altogether out of the
record, and more reputable habita'
tlon would b. provided once he had the
requisite fiI. Is.
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 its dingy houses
until he saw large brass plate BEAR
Ing the legend, 'iSaacstein 4 Co., Dia-
mond Merchants, Kimberley. Amster-
dam and London"
He entered the Office and was In
stantly confronted by a biz noscd
youth who surveyed him through q
grille with an arched opening in 1t to
admit letters and small parcels.
"Is Mr.. Isaacsteln in?" said Philip.
"Oah, yess," grinned the other.
"Will you kindly tell him wish to
see him.?
"Oah. yess." There was joke luIk-
Ing somewhere in the atmosphere, but
the young man had not caught its drift
yet. The gaunt and unkempt visitor
was evidently burlesquing the accent
OF such gentle people as came to the
office on business.
Philip waited a few seconds. The
boy behind the grille filled In the in
terval by copying an address into the
stamp book.
"Why do you not tell Mr.. Isaacstein
am hereT' he said at last.
"Oah, yess. You vii he funny, eh?'
The other smirked over the hidden
humor Of the situation. and Philip
understood that If he would see the
great man of the firm lie must adopt a
more emphatic tone.
81 had better warn you that Mr.. VIII
son of Messrs. Grant & Sons, LuGgate
Hill, sent me here to see Mr.. Isaac
stein. Am to go back to Mr. Wilson
and say that the Office boy refuses to
admit me?'
There was a sting in the description.
coming from such n 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
try and pull you through?' he said
quietly.
But the boys ready yell brought two
clerks running. and a 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.. VIII
sons name procured him hearing
Moreover. he had previous experience
Of the youthful janitOr's methods.
With a cuff on the ear. this injured
parsonage was hidden to 60 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.
bly, astonshed by the appearance OF
Mr.. Wilson's messenger. and so was
Mr.. Isancstein when Philip was parad'
ed before him in spacious apartment
filled with glass cases and tables, al
which several assistants were seated.
"What the deuce he began, but
checked himself. "What does Mr.. VIII
son want! he went on. Evidently Ills
Ludgate Hill acquaintance was useful
to Philip.
"He wants nothing, SIR" said Philip
"He sent me to see you on matter OF
business. 1t is Of u private nature
Can you give me few minutes alone?
| Isaacstein was big headed, Dia
shouldered man, taperlng to 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, anu every clerk look
ed UP, expecting him to fall bodily Oh
to the urchIn with the refined utter
ance who had dared penetrate inte
the potentate's office with such a re
quest
Kimberley. Amsterdam and London
combined to lend effect to Isaacstelns
wit when he said:
"Is this joker"
All the clerks guffawed IN chorus
Fortunately Isaacstein was In goot
humor. He had just purchased pear
for f25O which he would sell to Lady
Somebody for $500 to match another II
an earring.
at appears to be-" said Philip whei
the merriment had subsided.
For some reason the boys grave
earnest eyes conquered the zig litti'
mans amused scrutiny.