Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-07-25

"Thank you, Mr.. judd" he said
frankly. Il will return without fail.
will not insult you Ivy Offering more
than the amount you have advanced
for me. but some day may be able to
render you good service in repayment"
Then he walked off toward the via
duct steps, and Mr.. Judd looked after
him.
"Talks like little gentleman, e
does If my little Jimmie ad lived e
would ha' bin just about his age. Lord
lumme, | 'ope the lad turns up again.
| an not for the sake Of the bloomin
nlnepence, neither. Tomatoes, mum?
! Yes'm. Fresh in this mornin'."
After crossing Holborn viaduct Philip
stood for little while gazing into the
showroom OF motor agency. It was
! not that he was interested in Panhard
or De Dion cars, then but little known
to the general public in England, but
rather that he wished to rehearse care
fully the programme to be followed
with Mr.. Isaacstein With a sagacity
unlocked for in one of his years, he de-
cided that the meteor should not be
! mentioned ut all. OF course the dia q.
mond merchant would instantly recog-
! nize the stone as mcteoric diamond
and would demand its earthly pedigree.
PHILIP resolved to adhere to the simple
statement that it was his own proper
~ aud that any reasona bic inquiry
might he made in all quarters where
meteoric diamonds were obtaina BILE as
TO whether or not such a stone was
missing Meanwhile he could obtain
from Mr.. Isaacstein a receipt acknowl-
edging its custody and small advance
of money far below its real worth,
leaving the completion Of the transac-
ton until later date. The question
Of giving or withholding his address
if it were asked for was a difficult one
TO settle offhand. Perhaps the course
Of events would permit him to keep
Johnsons News altogether out of the
record. and q more reputable habita-
ION would he provided once he had fhc
requisite funds.
Thinking he had successfully tackled
all the problems that would demand
solution Philip wasted no more time
He entered IIatton Garden and had
not gone past many Of its dlngy houses
until he saw large brass plate bear,
ing the legend. "Isaacstein & Co.. Dia,
mond Merchants. Kimberley, Amster
dam and London"
He entered the office and was In.
stantly confronted by big nosed
youth who surveyed him through q
grille with an arched opening in it to
admit letters and small parcels.
rs Mr.. Isaacstein in?" said Philip.
"Oah. yess," grinncd the other.
"Wil you kindly tell him ! wish to
see him?"
"Oah. yess" There was a Joke Turk
Ing somewhere in the atmosphere. but
the young man had not caught its drift
yet. Tho Gaupt and unkempt visitor
was evidently burlesQuing the accent
OF such gentle people as came to the
Office on business.
Philip waited a few seconds. The
boy behind the grille filed In the IN
terval by copying an address into the
stamp book
"Why do you not tell Mr. Isaacsteir
I am herc?" he said at last.
, "Oah. yess. You vii he funny. chg
The other smirled over the bidder
humOr Of the situation, and Philir
understood that if he would see the
great man Of the firm he must adopt @
more emphatic tone.
81 had better warn you that Mr.. vii
son of Messrs. Grant & Sons LudgatC
Hill, sent me here to see Mr.. Isaac
stein. Am to go back TO Mr.. Wilson
and say that the Office boy refuses t.
; admit mef"
There was sting in the description
coming from such speaker.
"Iook ERE" was the angry retort
AGO away und blay, VII vow? In
pzzy."
: Then Philip reached quickly through
3 the little arch. grabbed handful o
Shirt. tie and waistcoat and dragged
the big nose and thick lips Violent.
g. against the wires of the grille.
: "Will you do what ! ask or shall
> try and pull you throughf' he sal,
quietly.
4 But the boys ready yell brought tw'
clerks running, and door was thrown
open. Phil released his opponent ant
1
the clerks, an elderly man, looked
g little deeper than the boys ragged gal
ments, and the mention Of Mr.. WI
n sons name procured him n hearing
h Moreover, he had previous eIperenc
. of the youthful janitor's methods.
With n cuff on the ear, this injure
"a parsonage was hidden to 60 upstair
and say that Mr.. Wilson had sent
boy TO see Mr. Isaacstein. The adde
insult came when he was compelle
to usher Philip to.a waiting room.
Soon clerk entered. He was Wis
# bly, astonished by the appearance Q
Mr.. Wilson's messenger, and so wa
=, Mr.. Isaacstein when Philip was para(
ed before him In q spacious apartmer
n filed with glass cases and tables, 9
10 which several assistants were seated
"What the deuce he began, br
ID checked himself. what does Mr.. WI
q. son want" he went on. Evidently h
Iudgate Hill acquaintance was usefl
ID to Philip,
10 HE wants nothing, sir" said Philil
% 'IIe sent me to see you on a ma liter {
business. 1t is Of private natur
10 Can you give me a few minutes alone
Isaacsten was big headed, bl
1t shouldered man, tapering to sma
10 point at his feet. He looked absurd
Y. like top, and surprise or emotion {
-