Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-06-03
@ 1he KING Qf <,
 DIAMONDS.
By Louis Tracy,
CHAPTER ".
Author of Wings of the Morning." "The Pillar of Light" Etc. @t

soon blew the clouds rom nlS
 brain. He did not hurry toward \ Hatton Garden He sauntered, rather, with his right hand clinched on the tiny parcel in his pocket, the parcel which had suddenly been en- dowed with such magic potentialities. 1t was the instinct to guard a treasure of great value that led to this involun- tary action. He was preoccupied, dis turbed, vaguely striving to grasp a vision that seemed to elude his exact comprehension
 What did it all mean? Was it really possible that he, Philip Anson, or phaned, beggared. practically a starv- ing tramp, should have the riches of Golconda showered upon him in this mad fashion? If the small stone he had shown to the jeweler were worth hundreds, then some of those in the paper were worth thousands, while as for the stone in the back yard of his house-well, imagination boggled at the effort to appraise it. The thought begot a sense of caution, of reserve, of well reasoned determination not to reveal his secret to anybody. Perhaps 1t would be best not to take Messrs. Isaacstein & Co. wholly into his confi- dence. He would simply show them the stone he had exhibited to MT. Will son and take the best price they of fered. Then, with the money in his possession, he could effect a much needed change in his appearance, visit them again, and gradually increase his supply of diamonds until he had ob- tained more money than he could possibly spend during many years.
 Above all else was it necessary that his meteor should be removed to a safer place than Johnson's News. Philip had scruples about appropriat- ing 1t. Lords of the manor and crown rights he had never heard Of.
 His mother, watching his every action from some Elysian height, had sent the diamond loaded messenger as a token of her love and care. It was his, and no man should rob him of it. It behooyed him to be sparing of explanations and sturdy in defense of his property.
 A good deal depended on the forth coming interview, and he wished he could convert a small fraction of the wealth in his pocket into few honest pennies with the kings head on them. The excitement and exercise had made him hungry again. His breakfast was rot of ample proportions, and his meals of yesterday had been of the scantiest. It would be we'll to face the diamond merchants with the easy confidence that springs from satisfied appetite. Yet how to manage it? He was sorry now he had not borrowed q sixpence from O'Brien. The old sol dier would certainly have lent 1t to him. He even thought of returning to the Mile End road to secure the loan, but he happened to remember that the day was Saturday, and it was probable that the Hatton Garden offices would close early. It was then nearly Il o'clock, and he could not risk the de- lay of the long, double journey.
 At that instant a savory smell was waited to him. He was passing a small restaurant where sausages and onions sizzled gratefully in large tin trays and pork chops lay in inviting prodigality amid rich, brown gravy. The proprietor, a portly and greasy man with bald head and side whiskers, was standing at the door exchanging views as to business with his next door neighbor, greengrocer. Philip. bold in the knowledge of his wealth. re- solved to try what he could achieve on credit.
 He walked up to the pair.
 "I have not got any money just now" he said to the restaurant keep CT, "but if you will let me have some thing to eat I will gladly come back this afternoon and pay you double"
 Neither man spoke at first. Philip was always unconscious of the quaint discrepancy between his style of speech and his attire. He used to re- sent bitterly the astonishment exhibit ed by strangers. but today he was far removed above these considerations, and he backed his request with a pleas ant smile.
 The fat man grew apoplectic and turned his eyes to the sky.
 aWell, I'm he spluttered.
 The greengrocer laughed, and Philip blushed.
 Do you refuseY" he said, with his downright manner and direct stare.
 'Well, of all the cool check The stout persons feelings were too much for him. He could find no other words
 Tt is a fair offer" persisted the boy "You don't think I mean to swindlf you. surely?"
 Well. there, I never didr'
 But the greengrocer intervened-
 "You're q sharp lad" he gufawed 'D,ye want a job:"
 "No." was the short reply. T want something to eat"
 "Dash my buttons. an you're a ike iy sort of k.d to get it too. In you % Cu pay the bill. Lord lumme. it'll do re god to see you"
 "Mr. Judd. are you mady' demanded bis ne.ghbor, whose breath had re turned to him
 Not a bit of 1t. The bIoomin' kid can't get thrOugh a bob's worth if he bursts himself. Ere. I'll bet you two bob e pays up-
 ~Done. Walk in. sir. wot'H you b. pieasasI fo are sirT-