Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-06-08

AlERBURY EVENlNG It was all of no avail. Certainly the
 constable had never heard such queer
 reasons advanced for stopping an ar
 rest, but Mason was obviously dazed for the time-maundering about the story which everybody talked of. He
 would change bis tune when he learn ed to whom he was indebted for his capture.
 The boy walked behind them me chanically, shading the candle with his hand. He was so absorbed with bis tumultuous thoughts that the first in- dication he received of anything bizarre in his appearance was the giggling of . girl who saw him standing in the arch of the news carefully shielding the dickering wick.
 He blew 1t out. A clock in the small jewellers shop opposite showed the time-ten minutes past H. In that part of London, busy hive of men and women of the working class, he had no chance of removing his belongings be- fore the policeman returned.
 What would happen if the friendly constable believed Jocky Mason's ex- cited statements? True, Philip had no reason to fear the law, but with exposure might come other troubles. Would any one advance claim to his meteorg MT. Abingdon hinted at such thing. He paid no rent for his house; he might be turned out instant ly-refused permission to remove any thing except his few unstable house hold goods.
 Assuredly he was in an awkward predicament. Of course the-e was chance that the policeman would con tinue to laugh at the convict's folly. If he did not, there would certainly be complication. Could he avoid them by any means? Where was there safe hiding place for his diamonds until next day? Would mother inspire him again as she had not failed to do dur ing so many strange events? Would her spirit guide his footsteps across this new quicksand on whose verge he hesitated?
 A few doors to the left was O 'Brien's shop. The old man crept into sight, staggering under the weight of shut ter. Good gracious! Why had he not thought of this ally sooner? Some precious minutes were wasted already.
 "Arrah, Phil, phwat in the worruld''-
 "Wait just the least bit, Mir. O'Brien. have some portmanteaus that want to store for the night. Do let me put them at the back of your shop. My place is not very safe, you know"
 Sure, boy, that's shmall thing to ax. Bring 'em, an welcome"
 With the speed of deer Philip dived into the news. He carried the two lesser bags without extraordinary diff iculty and deposited them behind O'Brien's counter. The third was al- most too much for him, as the weight was all in one hand, but he got it there, breathless with the exertion.
 He had to open the fourth and tear out the stufing of paper. When filled with the packages taken from the fifth, 1t was beyond his power to lift it, so he dragged it bodily along the news and into the shop.
 A passerby offered to help him.
 "No. thanks" he managed to say, though the effort to speak calmly took | away his remaining breath. q am only taking 1t to the shop there"
 The man glanced at the shop-it was a marine store dealers-a place where lead and iron and brass found ready sale. He passed on.
 Be the forchun uv war, Phil, where did ye get the iligant leather thrunks an phwat's in them" inquired the as- pensioner.
 The boy bravely called smile to his aid. T have big story to tell you one of these days, Mir o'Brfen. but have no time tonight. These things l will not be in your way until the morn ngr
 "The divil bit. If things go on as hey are. there'll soon be room enough n the poor ould shop. To think afther Ill these years that murtherin' thief n the war ofi1ce'-
 Philip was safe. He rapidly helped | lis friend to put up the shutters and 'ushed back to No. 8. Even yet he vas not quite prepared for eventuali- les. He ran upstairs and gathered a ew articles belonging to his mother, rticles he never endeavored to sell ven when pinehed by hunger. T The last dress she wore. her boots, a Iat, an album with photographs. some oilet accessories from the tiny dress ng table. the coverlet of the bed on which she died-these and kindred me 1entos made a very credible bulk in he denuded portmanteau.
 He gave one glance at the hole in he back yard as he went to the coal ouse for fresh supply of coal. That lust remain. It probably would not e seen. In any case 1t remained in- xplicable.
 He was stirring the fire when a tap ounded on the door. and the police ian entered, followed by an inspector.
 CHAPTER X. THIs is the boy. sir" said the
 A