Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-10-19

1
cial value of the business" he offered.
Under the conditions Isaacstein could
not refuse to give him sufficient money
| to meet his Immediate wants.
The man, seemingly at a loss for
words, bent AGAIN over the stone. He
| was scrutinizing it closely when
| heavy tread crossed the outer show
room and the door was flung open.
81 have sent for you, constable, to
take this boy into custody" he cried
excitedly. HE came here ten minutes
ago and offered for sale a very valu-
able diamond so rare and worth so
much that he must have stolen it."
Philip, too, sprang up.
1T is liev' he shouted. How dare
you say such a thing when have told
! you that it is mine"
The policeman collared him by the
| shoulder.
STEADY, my young spark" he said.
"Mr. Isaacstein knows what he Is
about, and l don't suppose he is very
| far wrong this time. Do you know
the boy, sir?" he went on.
Isaacstein gave a voluble and accu-
rate summary of Philips statements.
Each moment the policeman's grip be-
came firmer. Evidently the boy was
the mere agent Of gang Of thieves,
! though 1t was beyond comprehension
that any one short of an idiot should
choose an emissary with broken boots
and ragged clothing in order to effect
deel with the leading house in Hat
= 2
/ ton Garden. 80.
Philip listened to the recital in dumb
agony. His face was deathly pale, and
his eyes glowed with the rage and
shame that filed his soul. So the man
had been playing with him, merely
| foolng him until some secret signal by
an electric bell had sent messenger
| flying for the police. His dream OF
wealth would end In the jail, his fairy
oasis would be a felon's cell. Very
well. be it so. If he could help 1t, not
all the policemen in London should
rend his secret from him. With a sud-
den glow Of fiery satisfaction he re-
membered that his clothing contained
no clew to his address, and he had not
given his name at either Ludgate Hill
or Hatton Garden. How long could
they keep him a prisoner? Would
others find his meteor and rob him or
his mothers gift? In less than fort
night men would come to tear down
the buildings in Johnson's News. Well,
It mattered not The courage of de-
spair which nerved him the previous
night came to his aid again. He would
defy them all, careless of consequence
The policeman was saying:
Its a queer affair, sir. Did he real
lv say he had lots more of 'em"
Eyes. yes! Do you think l am ro-
mancng? Perhaps they are in his pos
session now"
Have you any more of these stones,
boy"
Philip, with lips tensely set, was des-
perately cool again. He moved bis
arm. and the constable's grasp tight
ened.
"You are hurting me-" said the boy.
81 merely wish to put my hand in my
pocket. Are you afraid of me that you
hold me so fastY
The policeman, like the rest, did not
fail to notice Philips diction. The
scornful superiority of his words, the
challenge of the final question, took
him aback. He relaxed his grip anG
,, grinned confusedly.
Philip instantly produced his paper
of diamonds and opened it widely sc
,. that all the stones could be seen. He
, handed the parcel to the policeman.
, ''Take good care of them, constable
he said. Judging from results, they
would not be safe in that mans
hands"
But Isaacstein did not hear the In
suit. When he saw the collection hS
nearly lost his senses. What had ht
done? Was ne or the boy mad? Veins
stood out on his forehead, and he wab
bled SO fearfully that he clutched thu
, desk for support A scarecrow Of
boy wandering about London witt
thousands Of pounds worth Of dia
monds in his pocket wrapped up In
, piece of newspaper like so many
sweets! There were not any meteori'
diamonds of such value In all the mu
!, seums and private collections in thu
!. world. He began to perspire. Ever
, Tile was oSAOuiAhCNB HNASS -
. much at being called constable" b!
! Philip as by the mean appearance o
: articles presumably of great value.
: '"This is a rum 60 What do yol
make OF II, Mr. IsaacsteinT he said.
The query restored Isaacstein's wits
After all. here was the law speaking
= 1t would have been the widest foil!
= for a man of his position to dabble II
= this mysterious transaction.
With a great effort he forced himsel
. to speak.
!, Lock him up instantly. This matte
: must be fully inquired into. And d
!, be careful of that parcel. constable
Where do you take him? To the Bride
Q well station? | viii follow you In
+ cab in five minutes"
So Philip. haGdcuffed, was MARCHES
y down the stairs past the gratified ofiic