Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-10-16
CHAPTER Y.

CHAPTER X.
HIS is the boy, sir" said the
policeman.
"Oh, Is that him." observed
1 the Inspector, sticking his
thumbs into his belt and gazing ut Phil
ip with professional severity.
Philip met their scrutiny without
tlinching. He leaned against the wall
with his hands in his pockets, one fist
cllnched over the pouchful of gold, the
other. guarding diamond bigger than
the Koh-i-NoOr.
II am sorry l have only one chair,
gentlemen" he said apologetically.
That's all right lad" said the In
spector. 1.-The constable here tells me
that you very pluckily helped him to
capture a notorious burglar. The man
was hiding in this news, and it seems
you first saw him looking in through
your window. What were you doing at
the time:"
Packing my portmanteau."
"Oh, packing your portmanteau."
Yes. That is it,
He stopped and nonchalantly threw
1t Open His clothes and boots and
some of the other contents We're eX-
posed to view. The inspector laughed.
Not many diamonds there, Brad
ley"
NO, sir. told you Mason was talk
ing rubbish
did he say any more about me be-
Ing the boy who found the meteor?"
asked Philip, with a first rate attempt
at grin.
"Wouldn't talk Of anything else" vol
unteered P. c. Bradley.
Judging by the way he dropped
when l hit him, expect he saw stars, "
said Philip.
"Are you leaving here:" asked the
Inspector.
Yes, must. The company which
owns these premises intends to pull
them down on the first Of next month
what is your Nance?
"Anson."
"Ah! l think ! remember hearing
something about your mothers death
Very nice woman, was told. A lady
too
Yes; all that and more"
"Of course. That accounts for your
manners and appearance. Have you
found some friends?"
TIE inspectors glance roved from
the serviceable portmanteau to Philips
tidy garments, and it was his business
to make rapid deductions.
Eyes, most fortunately"
anybody connected with Sharpe &
Smith, the constable put In.
Sharpe & Smith? Who are they:"
Don't you know? Their young man
certainly didn't seem to know much
about your movements. He has been
here twice looking for you. The first
time was-let me see-last Monday
about o'clock. was on duty in the
main road, and lie asked me for some
information. We came and looked in
but your door was locked. The man
on this beat this afternoon told me
that the same clerk was making fur
Their inquiries today, SO as soon as
came on night duty strolled into the
news to find out il you were at home
That is how ! happened to see you'
He turned toward the inspector.
HE was packing his bag at the mo
ment, Sir, and Mason had evidently
been scared from the window by my
footsteps in the arch"
The inspector pursed out his underlip
1.-The whole thing is perfectly clear
lie said. boy, have you got a watchi'
NO" said Philip, surprised by thi
odd question.
Bradley, he hasn't got watch" oh
served the inspector. He again ad
dressed Philip.
Where are you going tomorrow"
II am not quite sure but my address
will be known to Mrs. Wrigley. tn
James street laundry, Shepherd
Bush.''
"Ah! The constable says you do no
wish to be mixed up in the arrest o
Mason. There is no need for you t
appear In court. but-er-m such case
rs yours the-er-police like to shoy
eir-er-appreciation of your ser,
ices. That Is so, Bradley, isn't itr'
Yes, sir. If 1t hadn't been for him
] shouldn't be here now. Jocky Ia,
lle IalrlN cOrnereQ.
you had no time to summon assist
anceT
Il barely heard he was here befor
the window was smashed, and knew
lie was trying to get out the other wa!
You heard him, AnsOn!"
Philip looked the policeman squared
In the eyes.
you had just taken Off your great
coat when the glass cracked" he said.
Police Constable Bradley stopped
pick up his coat. He did not wish thi
portion of the nights proceedings to b
described too infinitely. In moving til
garment he disturbed the packet of lie
ters. Instantly Philip recalled til
names of the solicitors mentioned !,
the constable.
You said that a clerk from Messr
Sharpe & Smith called here twice." Ii
asked.
Yes"
He picked out one. of the Letters
opened 1t and made certain of his fact
before he cried angrily:
''Then want to have nothing wha
SNSh " Wv WIN 1htN tlCillc
my mother shamefully."
The inspector had sharp eyes.
what is the date of that letter." /
inquired.
Jan. 1S of this year"
"And what are those-pawn tickets
sYes, some of my mothers jewell
and dresses. Her wedding ring w.
the last to go. Most of them are o.
of date. but intend to-I will try
save some of them, especially her we
ding ring"
Jocky Mason's romance was now d
sipated into thin air. The contents
the pOrtmanteau, the squalid appeu
ance Of the house, the date of the s
licitor's letter. the bundle of paw
tickets offered conclusive evidence
the inspectors matter of fact mil
that the eX-convict's story was the
feet of a truncheon rapidly applied
Il brain excited by the newspaper CO.
ments on sensational yarn abo
some boy who had found Il parcel