Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-08-08

| StatlOn WITHOUT soul in the East END
being aware of his destination.
where TO, sir?" asked porter who
opened the door for him.
II only want these bags to be taken
to the luggage ROOM" said Philip
You had better get some one to heir
| you with these two. They are very
heavy. They contain specimens of iron
ore"
The man took a pull at the solid one
"By gum" he grnned, you're right.
That would surprise anybody who
tried 70 pick 1t up and run away With
It,"
Rather" agreed Philip. Il am GLAD
to say 1t is not going very far, only to
a laboratory for analysis"
He saw his belongings wheeled away
on barrow before he paid the csbman
literally. He only gave the porter six.
pence. The man believed that Phillu
was clerk in charge OF the minerals.
He was grateful for even so small
sum.
On leaving the station, with the re.
ceipt for his luggage in his pocket
Philip saw the four wheeler turning
into rhe Strand on its way back to
Fenchurch street. He smiled The tie
between east and west was severed
No matter what else might happen TO
It. his meteor had left Johnsons News
forever
1t was now few minutes past 0. bu'
he still had good deal to do before
he presented himself at Isaacstein's al
II.
1t was necessary to change his skin
once more before the metamorphosis
he contemplated was complete TIc
was acquainted with q large Quitting
emporium in Lulgate Hill which ex-
acty suited his requirements, so he
rode thther on d bus
Passing Somerset House, he recalled
Isaacsteln's remark about getting his
letter stamped" He did not know
what stamping meant in q legal sense
but he guessed that 1t implied the sf-
fixing of a seal Of some sort. There
was no need to hurry over it, he
thought.
At II o'clock Isnacstein would either
keep his word about the 5000 or en-
deavor to wrggle out Of the compact.
In either event Philip had already de
termined to consult Mr.. Abingdon.
He had now IN his pocket about f3S.
Half an hour later he was wearing
new tweed suit. new hat and new
boots. He had acquired a stock OF
linen and underclothng, an umbrels
and an overcoat. Some OF these arti.
Giles, together with his discarded
clothes, were packed in two new leath-
er portmauteaus, on which his initials
would be painted by noon, when he
would call for them.
He paid FIG for the lot. and the man
who waited on him tried in vain to
tempt him to spend more. Philip knew
exactly what he wanted. He adhered
TO his programme. He possessed suH-
cient genuine luggage and clothing to
be presentable anywhere. He had
enough money to maintain himself for
weeks If necessary. For the rest. an
other couple of hours would place it
beyond doubt whether he was a mil
liOnaire or not; for. If Isaacstein failed
him, London was big enough and
wealthy enough to quickly decide that
point
He entered the Hatton Garden office
as the clocks struck the hour.
Some boys Of his age might have ex-
perienced a malicious delight when the
youth on guard bounced up with a
smirk and Il ready:
"Yessir. Vat ISIS it, sirT'
Not so Philip. He simply asked for
Mr.. Isaacstein, but he certainly could
not help smiling at the expression Of
utter amazement when his identity
dawned on his nearer.
The "Yessr. vii you please walk in"
was very faint, though. The office boy
ushered him upstairs as one in a
dream, for he had been warned to ex-
pect Philip, Philip in rags, not a
smart young gentleman like a bank
clerk.
Isaacstein on this occasion looked
and acted the sound man of business
he really was.
He awaited Philip in his private of
fee. He seemed to be pleased by the
change effected in the boys outward
appearance. There was less OF bur
lesque less outrage TO his feelings In
discussing bic sums OF money with
person properly attired than with one
who wore the garments of a tramp.
Good morning he said pleasantly.
you are punctual, | am glad to see.
Have you been to Somerset House,"
No" said Philip,
why mott II you are going TO con.
troll big capital, you must learn bust
ness habits or you will lose it. no mat
ter how large 1t may be-"
Would Somerset House compel you
to pay me. Mr.. Isaacstein?"
mot exactly. but the stamping OF
important documents is q means to-
ward an end l assure you"
II will see TO IL, but l wanted pri
marlly 10 be certain of one of two
things-hrst will you pay tie 5000
as promised; second, will you give ma
a fresh purchase note for my diamonds
which will not indicate so definitely
that l am the boy concerning whom
there has been SO much needless pub
licity during the last few daysT
II was OF no avail for Isaacstein to
handy words with Philip. A boy OF
fifteen who casually introduced such
word as primarily" into sentence
and gave shrewd thrust about need
less publicity" TO the person RESPONSE