The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-06-18
CONTINUED from yesterday.l

Philips experience as a newspaper
vender told him that all London was
now familiar with his own personal
appearance as we'll as with the sem
| blance and value Of his meteoric dia-
monds. The white stones, the clumps
of iron ore, had been described minute
~ by clever journalists. who supple
mented Isaacstein's clear statement by
facts CLEANED from encyclopedias and
interviews with biologists.
Most probably this man had read
long articles about him, for the story
was such as to bring watery curses to
the lips OF every penniless vagrant in
the kingdom. Indeed, the careful scru-
tiny bestowed on his face and clothes
bore out this suspicion. Had he not
changed his garments the stranger
would have known his identity beyond
all question. AS it was, the man was
puzzled and disturbed at the very mo-
ment he was about to say something
What had happened to cause him to
run away? What had he seen or heard e?
Above ALL how much did he know of
Philip and his affairs?
Well, the door was locked, and it
would be folly to go out again that
night The house was absolutely I'm.
approachable save by the front Philip
resolved TO remain awake until day.
break. O'Brien'S spade stood against
the fireplace. 1t was a formidab BILE
weapon, and he would not hesitate to
use it il forcible entry was attempted.
He must sit quietly in the dark, listen
ing for each sound and threatening
boldly when he heard any one endeav-
oring to open door or window.
He sighed, for he was very tired. but
the vigil was imperative.
He dropped the drugget Gnd scissors
and bent again over the portmanteau
The packing operations might as we'll
be finished now, and indeed when the
light was eXtinguished it would be bet
ter to keep away from the window.
through which a 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 a little pocket
in the flap which already covered one
half of the bag.
At that instant he again heard foot
steps. OF course a 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 breathlessIy. The
oncomer reached his door, passed 1t.
stopped opposite the widow, 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
affably and cried
Here. l want to speak to YOU"
lntuitively 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.
Il hope I didn't startle you." he be-
gan, but 1 just looked in on the off
chance
Il am very glad indeed to see YOU"
interrupted the boy. Il am leaving here
tomorrow. Just now. while was
packing some of my belongings, a 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 now?" he questioned. do YOU
mean some time since?"
NO, no, Not half a minute-a few
seconds ago"
But where can he be? He hasn't
left the news or I must have seen
him. l crossed the road. and no one
came out in so short q time
We'll. he is somewhere in thu place.
He had a horrid appearance-a man
with a broken nose He made me
jump, I can assure you
"A man with a broken nose! By
Jove! I'm looking for a party of that
description. A rank wrong 'un. Rob
berry with violence and a few other
little things. What sort of man was
he? You saw his face only, sup
pose?"
The constable stepped back into the
paved court. 4 rapid twist of his
hand sent a vivid beam of light dancing
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