The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-08-23
his case was the only "remand.r

News no longer held safe the secret Of
his meteor Such few sensational ro-
mances. as he had read credited detec-
tives with superhuman sagacity. In
his mind. Johnson's News was the
center of the world It enshrined the
marvelous-how could 1t escape the
thousands OF prying eyes that daily
passed through the great thorough
fare Of the East End but few yards
away? Judging from the remark
dropped by the warder, all London
was talking about him. puzzllng
feature was the abundant supply Of
good food sent to him in prison. Who
was his unknown friend-and what
Explanation was attached to the in
cidentl
Philips emotions were no more capa~
bic of analysis than u display of rock
cts. Immured III tbs cage, rafting
lover the pavements, he seemed to be
advancing through tunnel into an un-
known world.
At last the van stopped, and he was
led forth into the yard Of the police
court. He followed the same, route rs
on the previous Saturday, but when
he assembled into the court itself he
discovered o change. The magistrate,
a couple Of clerks and some policemen
alone were present. The general pub
lie and the representatives OF the press
were not visible.
He had scarcely faced the bench
when the magistrate said:
you are set at liberty. The police
withdraw the charge against you"
Philips eyes sparkled, and his breast
heaved unanimously. For the life Of
him he could utter no word, but Mr..
Abingdon helped him by quietly direct
Ing the usher to permit the lad to leave
the dock and take seat at the So
licitors' table.
some gravity, he said:
philip Morland-that is the only
name by which l know you-the au-
thorities have come to the conclusion
that your story Is right. You have I'M
questionably found deposit Of dia-
monds, and, although this necessarily
exists on some persons property, there
is no evidence to show whose property
it is. 1t may be your own. 1t may be
situated beyond the confines of this
kingdom. There are many hypothesis,
each Of which may be true; but, in any
event, If others lay claim to this treas
ure trove-and 1 warn you that the
crown has a right in such a natter
the issue is a civil and not a criminal
one. Therefore you are discharged
and your property is now handed back
to you intact"
A clerk placed before Philip his par
eel of diamonds, his key, the rusty
knife, the pieces of string and the two
buttons-truly motley collection. The
boy was pale and his voice somewhat
tremulous as he asked:
MAY go now, sirT"
Mr.. Abingdon leaned back in his
chair anu passed his hand over his
face to conceal smile.
| 81 have something more to say to
| you," he answered. ut is an offense
| against the law to withhold your name
and address. l admit the powerful
| motives which actuated you, so l make
| the very great concession that your
earlier refusal will be overlooked if
| you privately tell me that which you
were unwilling to state publicly"
Philip instantly decided that it would
be foolish in the extreme to refuse this
| offer. He pocketed his diamonds, look
| ed the magistrate straight in the face
| and said:
xtyfn II fhnf cd Ar thA t,,f4
ton is to be given to you alone, may l
| write it?"
The policemen and other officials
staggered at this display of caution,
but the magistrate nodded, and Philip
wrote his name and address on sheet
Of foolscap. which he folded before
handing it to the usher
To his great surprise, Mr.. Abingdon
placed the paper in a pocketbook with
| out opening it.
II will make no use Of this document
unless the matter comes before me
again officially. l wish to point out to
you that have brought you from pris-
on at the earliest possible moment and
have spared you the publicity which
your movements would attract were
your case settled in open court. You
are not aware perhaps that you figure
largely in the eyes of the public at this
moment. There are newspapers which
would give hundred pounds to get
hold Of you. There are thieves who
would shadow your every movement,
waiting for chance to waylay and
rob you-murder you IL necessary. /
have taken precautions, therefore, to
safeguard you, at least within the pre-
cincts of this court, but cannot be re-
sponsible beyond its limits. May
ask what you intend to doY'
Philip, proud In the knowledge that
he was cleared of all dishonor, was at
no loss for words now.
First l wish to thank you, SIR" he
said. you have acted most kindly
toward me, and when 1 am older 1
hope to be permitted to acknowledge
your thoughtfulness better than is pos
sible today. l will endeavor to, take
care of myself. am going now to see
Mr.. Isaacstein. I do not expect that
he will send for policeman again. If
he does, l will bring him before you"