The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-10-18

resolved to remain awake until day
break. O'Brien's spade stood against
the fireplace. 1t was formidable
weapon, aud he would not hesitate to
use 1t If forcible entry was attempted.
He must sit quietly in the dark, listen
ing for each sound and threatening
boldly when he heard any one endeay-
oring to open door or window.
He sighed, for he was very tired, bui
the vigil was imperative.
He dropped the drugget and scissors
and bent again over the portmanteau.
The packing operations might as well
be finished now, and indeed when the
light was extinguished it would be bet
ter to keep away from the window.
through which sudden thrust with
an implement might do him an injury.
He took his discarded clothes and ar
ranged them on top Of the last parcels
Of ore and diamonds. Then he reached
out for the small bundle of documents
resting on the chair behind him, in
tending to place them in little pocket
in the flap which already covered one
half OF the bag.
At that instant he again heard foot
steps. or course very few seconds
had ELAPSED since he first caught sight
of the living specter without. The
ideas recorded at such length whirled
through his active brain with lightning
speed Just as the knowledge now came
that the footsteps proceeded from the
entrance to the news and not from its
extremity. while their firm regularity
betokened the advent of some person
who had no special reason to conceal
his movements
The boy listened breathlessly. The
oncomer reached his door, passed 1T,
stopped opposite the window. and then
another face peered over the curtain.
This time it was policeman.
For an instant their eyes met in mu-
tual establishment Then the police
man came so close that his helmet rest
ed against pane Of glass He grinned
afably and cried:
"Herel / want 30 speak to you"
Tntuitively grasping the essential
fact that. his best policy was one of
ready acquiescence, Philip sprang to-
ward the door and unlocked it. He
stood on the step. The constable ap-
preached.
'T hope I didn't startle you," he be
gan, "but l just looked in ON the off
chance
II am very glad indeed to see you."
interrupted the boy II am leaving here
tomorrow. Just now, while / was
packing some of my belongings. very
nasty looking man came and peeped
IN at me In the same way as you did,
He backed into the house. The police
man half followed him, his quick glance
noting the open portmanteau and its
array of old clothes.
"Just nowf' he questioned. do you
mean some time SINGER
'sNo, no. Not half Minutes few
seconds ago"
"T3ut where can he beY He hasn't
left the news or must have seen
him. I crossed the road. and no one
came out In so short time"
well, he is somewhere In the place.
He had horrid appearances man
with broken nose. He made me
jump, can assure you"
"a man with broken nose! BY
Jovei I'm looking for party of that
description. A rank wrong 'un. Rob
berry with violence and few other
little things. What sort of man was
her You saw his face only, sup
poser
The constable stepped back into the
paved court. A rapid twist of his
hand sent vivid beam of light dancing
over ruined tenements, disheveled door
ways and shattered windows.
"A tall man." said Philip, taller
than you, for I could see his chin over
the string Of the curtain. He bad big
ehce. wfth eyes that stuck Cut bold
b.
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