Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-09-03
+ 1he KING Of $
DIAMONDS.
COPYRIGHT. 1904. EDWARD J. GLOBE.
CHAPTER VIII.
By Louis Tracy.
Author of "Winas of the Morning" 1.-THE Pillar Of
!. Light" Etc. :

Ut was 4 o'clock In the afternoon o
/ a fine but chilly March day .whel
Philip regained Holborn with f5
L making a lump In his pocket ant
Isaacstein's letter safely lodged in hi
coat. The mere weight Of the golt
suggested an unpleasant possibility
His clothes were so worn that the frai
calico might give way and every gold
en coin rattle forth to the pavement.
So with one of Mr.. Abingdon's shil
iings he made his first purchase. ca
pacious tobacco pouch with a snaI
mouth. for which he paid ninepence
| Then he adjourned to an aerated breat
shop and ordered some refreshments
While the waitress was bringing hi'
cup Of tea and piece Of cake he con
uived to slip all the sovereigns but ont
into the tobacco pouch.
He did this with his hand In the
pocket itself. and more than once there
was a pleasant clink as the coins Eel
into their novel receptacle.
A man sitting near caught the SOUND
and looked up suspiciously. Philip
whose senses were very much on the
alert today. realized that his action
was somewhat careless. Without even
glancing at his neighbor. he took out
his remaining couple Of shillings anU
the three pennies, and affected to count
them with certain degree of astonish
ment, as IL some were missing. The
ruse was satisfactory. The man gave
him no further heed and soon quilted
the restaurant.
Philip rendered the odd sovereign In
payment Of his bill. The girl cashier
seemed to be surprised that such O
ragged youth should own so large q
sum.
"All silver, please" said Philip. when
she began to count bis change.
He would take no more risks II ne
could avoid them. Not single police,
man in London would have failed to
arrest him at that moment were his
store of gold revealed by any chance
Yet Philip was rich honestly. and there
were men driving away from the city
at that hour whose banking accounts
were plethoric with stolen money. For
their carriages the policemen would
stop the traffic. In neither instance
corld the guardians of the peace be
held blameworthy. such Is the impor-
tance Of mere appearances.
The boy. during his short and terribly
sharp tussle with London life, had al.
ready grasped this essential fact, and,
with great skill and method, he set
about the task of altering his own
shabby exterior.
In a side street leading out of Gray's
Inn road he found a secondhand
clotAe; shop. Here lie purchas ed n
worn. but decent, blue serge suit FOR
S shilings siXpence. Il pair OF boots for
5 shiliings, a tap for ninepence, wool
en- shirt for = shillings and linen col
lar for threepence.
lie hagg,ed sufficiently over the bar.
gain to suit the needs of scanty
purse.
"I've cut 'em dahn low enough" said
the shopkeeper mournfully. Things
isn't wot they was in the ole clo' line,
let me tell yer. Not but what you do
want new rig-aht."
"Yes," said Philip. 1--WE got job
and can't keep it unless look decent v
For the life OF him he could not bur.
lesque the cOckney accent, and al
though he used the simplest phraseolo.
gy the man glanced at him sharply.
Philip ratified all his silver and cop
pers on to the counter He counted out
16 shillings sixpence.
"NOt much left, is there?' he said.
"Well, look ere" said the man
"Gimme fifteen bob. You're a sharp
lad. You'll myke yer wy all right
Mex time you want some duds come to
me an I'll treat you fair"
THANK you very much," said Philip
considerably surprised by this generous
act. 81 certainly will not forget YOU"
"You can change in my little back
room If you like. That lot you've got
on amt worth tykin' 'ome."
Il am obliged for your kindness, but
must be oil now. 1t Is late, and
have long way to 60"
"Whcre t.? Holloway
"No; citywarl."
The clothes AID boots We're made uI
in parcel by this time. Philip hur
] rie | away. glad to escape further ques
tiOning.
Philip spraag into bus for the Bank
At TIE Royal E.:change he would catch
green bus for the Mile End road.
1t was almost dark when he reached
the Bank. Thus far the omnibuses go
Ing east were not crowded. Now the
situation had changed.
The human eddy In that throbblnl
center of life was sending Off Its swirls
to all points of the compass, and the
eastb0und vehicles were boarded by
an eager crowd almost before the pas
sengers arriving at the terminus coult
descend.
| A poor woman greatly hampered by
a baby was struggling with others tt
obtain a seat In the Mile End road bus
Philip, coming late on the scene, saw
her swept ruthlessly aside by mum
ber of men and boys. The conductor
jerked the bellrope several times
There was no more room.
The woman, white faced and disap
pointed, looked around with a woebe
gone expression. Philip. who would
have gladly paid for cab to take hel
to her destination, dared no nothing ot
the sort But he said:
Keep close to me. I will get you
seat In the next bus"
"Oh, wish you would" she said
with a wan smile, II am so tired.
have walked here from Shepherd
Bush"
THAT'S long way to carry a baby
"What could l do? People won
take care of children without payment
I heard l could get work In laundr!
there, so went to look after II
There's nothing to be had down ou
way. is there?"
"Things turn up suddenly" salt
Philip.
"Not for the poor, my lad. ! fea
you know that without my telling you
But you are young and will soon be
| man."
Her wistful tone went to his heart.
Didn't you succeed at the laundry :!
be inquired.
eyes; ought to he thankful. l cal
| oorr a chillin0e a week there I star