Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-09-10

| BalIcI.
"If YOU please" said Philip. 81 would
be very greatly obliged were my name
not mentioned at oil with reference to
this affair"
The policeman, whose senses were
normal again, was instantly impressed
by the boys grand manner. His &C.
cent was thrt Of the men Of the uni
versity mission. And how many boys
Of his age would have struck so
straigh: and truly at critical mo-
ment?
"Well don't you see. that will be
rather difficult" was the answer. 1T
was YOU who told me where he was,
and the man himself knows that with.
out somebody's help 1 could not have
arrested him. There is no need to
mince matters. / have you to thank
for not being laid here stiff"
Philip said no more. To press his re-
quest implied powerful motive. The
stars in their courses must have con-
spired that day to supply him with
excitement.
Mason eagerly gulped the water held
to Ms lips. Then he tried to raise his
right hand to his head. All! He un-
derstood. A flood Of oaths began to
meander thickly from his mouth.
"That's better" said the constable en-
couragingly Now, up you get! It's
no use, Jocky. won't let you kick me.
You must either 60 quietly or l will
drag you to the street over the stones.
and that will hurt"
The man glared duly at his captor.
With the apathy of his class. he knew
when he was beaten and became sub
missive In demeanor. Philip, holding
his candle aloft, maryeled ut his own
temerity in hitting this giant, oxlike In
size and strength.
Mason wabbled his head and craned
his neck awkwardly.
800 gev me that crack on the nutf'
he asked.
"The roof dropped" was the jocular
reply.
"Not 1t. 'ad yer dahn, sailor. I was
Oh yer afore We could use yer stick. Ye
was fairly bested until somebody ahted
me wiv welt OH the skylight."
"Never mind, Jocky. It'll hurt you to
think just now. Come on"
But the ex-convict became sensible
of the unwonted light in the deserted
house and slowly turned his head I'M
til his glance rested on Philip.
why" he roared, with an imprcca
ton, chats the bloomin' kid 90 found
the di-monds. I seed I'm a-countn' OF
'em. White stones, the paper said, an
bits of iron, too. A trunk full Of 'em.
e as one in is pocket az big as an
egg"
The policeman laughed. So did Phil
ip. shrilly, with ready acceptance of the
cue.
Come along, Jocky. You're wool
gathering. I'll get you pint Of coffee
at the station just to show there's no
malice" said the constable.
"The water was too strong for him"
put in Philip.
The ex-convict began to protest, but
he wasted words in swearing. The
"sailor" grasped him by the arm and
marched him down the yard, saying
over his shoulder:
Pull that door to. I'll come back for
my coat In half an hour
Philip followed. but in sea Of per-
plexity. He heard Mason's frantic ex-
postulations to the policeman-what
was an extra stripe to the loss OF un-
told wealth-that youngster was richer
than Rothschlld. the papers said. The
small lot he showed in the police court
were worth f50000-and he had tons
more.
It was all of no avail Certainly the
constable had never heard such queer
reasons advanced for stopping an ar
rest, but Mason was obviously dazed
for the time-maundering about the
story which everybody talked Of He
would change his tune when he learn
ed to whom he was indebted for his
capture.
The boy walked behind them me-
chanically, shading the candle with his
hand. He was so absorbed with his
tumultuous thoughts that the first in
dication he received Of anything bizarre
In his appearance was the giggling OF
a girl who saw him standing In the
arch Of the news carefully shielding
the Pickering wick.
He blew it out. A clock In the small
jewelers. shop opposite showed the
time-ten minutes past II. In that
part of London, busy hive Of men and
women of the working class, he had no
chance Of removing his belongings be-
fore the polio, man returned.
What would happen II the friendly
constable believed Jocky Mason's ex-
cited statements? True, Philip had
no reason to fear the law. but with
exposure might come other troubles.
Would any one advance claim to his
meteor? Mr.. Abingdon limited at such
thing. He paid no rent for his
house; he might be turned out Instant
ly-refused permission to remove any
thing except his few unstable house
hold goods.
Assuredly he was in an awkward
predicament OF course there was
chance that the policeman would con-
tinue to laugh at the convict's folly.
If he did not, there would certainly be
complication. Could he avoid them by
any means? Where was there a safe
hiding place for his diamonds until
next day? Would mother inspire him
again as she had not failed to do dur
ing so many strange events? Would
her spirit guide his footsteps across
this new quicksand on whose verge
he hesltated?
A few doors to the left was O'Brien's
shop. The old man crept into sight,
staggering under the weight Of shut
ter. Good gracious! Why had he not
thought of this ally sooner? Some
precious minutes were wasted already.
Peculiar to ITSELF