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


ward the door and unlocked It. He
preached.
81 hope didn't startle you,' he be.
gan. 'but just looked in on the off
cbance'--
Il am very glad indeed TO see you,"
Interrupted the hoy. 81 am leaving here
tomorrow. Just now. while | was
packing some of my belongings. very
nasty looking man came and pccpcd
in ut mo in the same way as you did"
lie backed into the house. The police.
man half followed him. his quick glance
noting the open portmanteau and its
array OF old clothes.
"Just now" he questioned. "Do you
mean some time since?"
"No. no Not half a minute-a few
seconds ago"
But where can he he? RE hasn't
left the news or must have seen
him. I crossed the road, and no one
came out in so short a time"
"Well. he Is somewhere in the place
lie had Il horrid appcarance-a man
with broken nose. He made me
jump, | can assure vou."
"A man with n broken nose, BY
Jove! I'm looking for a party of that
description. A rank wrong 'un. Rob
berry with violence and few other
little things. What sort of a man was
he? You saw his face only, | SUP.
pose?"
No HI .fa ID, t,,@1
paved court. A rapid twist of his
hand sent vivid beam of light dancing
over ruined tenements, dsheveled door
ways and shattered windows.
"A tall man" said Philip, taller
than You, for could see his chin over
the string OF the curtain. He had big
face, with eyes that stuck out bold
ly'-
Its Jocky right enough" cried the
constable. Now, where can he have
got tot He's an ugly customer to
tackle single handed" lie added be-
meath bis breath
won't you wait bit until l get
some helpT' said Philip anxiously.
The man appeared to debate the
point. The nearest comrade was an
acting sergeant. newly promoted. If
he were summoned, the kudos Of n
smart capture would be his by right
Of seniority.
NO" answered the constable stub
borny. "If he is here. l will handle
him myself
Again his lamp swept the small area
of the news and revealed no living OBJ
ject. He quickly unfastened his belt,
took off his greatcoat and readjusted
belt and lamp again.
Now I'm ready for him" he grinned.
''Put my coat inside, boy, and stand
at the door yourself with the candle in
your hand. If you see anything yell
out to me-
Philip obeyed, These preparations
for deadly struggle appealed to his
very SOUL for your healthy minded boy
of fifteen has generally ceased to be
highwayman or a pirate in magma
ton and aims rather at planting the
union jack on a glacis bristling with
hostile cannon.
The policeman, feeling for the loose
strap Of his truncheon, commenced a
careful survey of the news He had
not gone five yards when there was :,
loud crash Of broken glass. The build
ing at the other end of the yard pos
sessed couple Of windows facing into
another Enclosure at the back. Obvi-
ously the broken nosed Jocky. unseen
himself, mad observed the constable's
movements.
Realizing that discovery was immi-
nent, he was effecting a strategic
movement to the rear.
The policeman instantly abandoned
his cautious tactics. He ran toward
the door of the house whence the
sound came 1t resisted somewhat,
but yielded to his shoulder. He disap-
peared inside. Philip, after closing his
own door. also ran to the new center
Of interest, shielding the candle with
one hand lest it should blow out.
Quick as he was, he missed the first
phase OF a Homeric combat. The VIC
lent Jocky, foiled by an unnouced
iron bar in his attempt to escape, turn
ed like a nadman on the policeman
There was no sort Of parley between
them. Cursing the luck that had re
vealed his hiding place, the uan, an
eY-copvict. with the frame OF q giant
eprang at his pursuer suddenly from
an inner room.
The policeman had a seconds warn
Ing. 1t was something but not enough
| TO give him an advantage. He got his
truncheon out. but simultaneously his
assailant was on him with a ferocity
OF catamount. They closed In bone
breaking endeavor. and before they
were locked together for ten fearful
seconds the oficer Of the law bitterly
regretted the professional pride which
sent him single handed into this un
equal strife.
For he was physically outclassed. ant
| he knew it, and there Is no more un
nerving knowledge can come to a mar
In such supreme moment. Neverthe
less he was brave man, and he Tough
with all the resolution that Is born al
the consciousness Of justice and mora
right. But Providence is on the sid,
Of big battalions. and Jocky was taller
heavier, very much more active More
over, liberty Is rs potent an incentiv,
as law any day, and law was beini
steadily throttled when the pale CLEAN
of Philips candle lit up the confines o
the ruinous hovel about which the tw'
| 1,