Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-08-28
CHAPTER v


callousness.
''Wot's e bin a-doin' of?'
"Nicked lydy's purse, eh?"
"Naw! Bin ticklin' the till, moro
like"
"Bli-me,. don't e look sick!"
They ran and buzzed around him
like wasps, singing most bitterly with
coarse words and coarser laughter. An
omnibus slowed its pace to let them
cross the road, and Philip knew that
the people on top craned their necks to
have good look at him. When near
ing the viaduct steps, the policeman
growled something at the pursuing
crowd. Another constable strobe rap
Idly to the entrance and cut of the
loafers, sternly advising them to find
some other destination. But the res
plte was brief one. The pair reached
harrington street and had barely Mt.
tracted attention before they passed
the restaurant where Philip had lunch
ed. The hour was yet early for midday
customers, and the baldheaded proprie
tor saw them coming. He rushed out.
The greengrocer, too, turned from his
wares and Joined in the EXPLANATIONS
Of his friend at this speedy denouement
Of the trivial incident of twenty min.
utes earlier.
The restaurant keeper was made ju.
bilant by this dramatic vindication OF
the accuracy Of his Judgment.
''The thievin' young scampw he ejac.
ulated. "Yhat's right. Mr.. Policeman
Lock i'm up. Els reg'lar wrong 'un."
The constable stopped. Hello" he
said. do you know him?'
II should think did. e KEN ERE
just now an obtained q good blowout
on false pretences, am
cold ard" put in the greengrocer
"that's not quite the ticket. Il asked
You to trust i'm, but you wouldn't"
The stout man gurgled.
Not me. ! know Is sort. But e 'ad
you fair fftht, Billy"
"Mebbe, an mebbe not. Ennyhow,
two bob won't break me, an I'm sorry
for the kid. Wot's e done, Mr.. Police
man?' Mr.. Judd was nettled, yet un.
willing to acknowledge he was wholly
wrong.
"Stole heap of diamonds. Do either
of you know him!"
"Never saw him afore this mornin'."
"Never bin in my 'ouse before"
'Then come along" and Philip was
tugged onward, but not before he
found courage to say:
"Thank you once more. Mr.. Judd.
will keep my word, never fear"
What are you thanking him for?"
said the constable.
"For believing In me-" was the curt
answer.
The policeman tried to extract some
meaning from the words, but failed.
He privately admitted that it was an
extraordinary affair. How came a
boy who spoke like gentleman and
was dressed like street arab to be
wandering about London with q pock-
etful Of diamonds and admitted to
the private Office of the chief diamond
merchant in Hatton Garden? He gave
1t up, but Silently thanked the stars
which connected him with an impor-
tant case.
At last Philips Vim Doiorosa ended
in the Bridewell police station. He
was paraded before the inspector in
charge, q functionary who would not
have exhibited any surprise had the
German emperor been brought before
him charged with shoplifting.
He opened huge ledger, tried If his
pen would make q hair, stroke on q
piece of paper and said lacohically:
Manner
No answer from the prisoner, follow
ed by emphatic demands from inspect
or and constable, the former volunteer
Ing the information that to refuse your
name and address was in itself an Of
Tense against the law.
Philips sangfroid was coming to his
aid. The horror of his passage through
the gaping mob had cauterized all 9th.
err sentiments, and he now saw that II
he would preserve his incognito he
must adopt n ruse.
phillip Morland," he said doggedly
when the inspector asked him his
name for the last time before record.
Ing definite refusal.
philip Morland! 1t sounded curl
ously familiar in his ears, His mother
Was Miss Morland prior to her mar.
riage, but he had not noticed the cd !:
coincidence that he should have been
christened after the "Sir Philip" of the
packet Of letters SO fortunately left be.
hind that morning.
Address,
Park lane"
The inspector began to write before
the absurdity of the reply dawned OIL
him. He stopped.
Is your mother a caretaker there or
your father employed in a mews?'
"My father and mother are dead"
''Then will you kindly inform us
what lumber In Park lane you live
at?" |
Il have not determined that as yet.
intend to buy house there"
Some constables lounging about the
office laughed, and the inspector in
censed out of his routine habits. shout.
ed angrily:
This is. no place for joking, boy.
Answer me properly or 1t will be worse
for you"
II have answered you quite properly
The constable who brought me here
has in his possession diamonds wortl,
many thousands of pounds belonging
to me. l, own a. hundred times as
many. Surely eau buy house in
Park lane II I like"
The inspector was staggered by this
well bred 'insolence. He was search
ing for!somc crushing legal threat that
would brighten the boy into a state OF
due humility when Mr.. Isaacstein ell
.tered.
The Hatton Garden magnate again
related the circumstances attending
Philips arrest and the inspector
promptly asked:
What charge shall enter? You
gave him into custody. Do you think
he has stolen the diamonds?"
Isaacstein had been thinking, hard
during q short cab drive. His reply
was Unexpectedly frank.