Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-06-07
CHAPTER TX. ' T would be idle to deny that Philip

braver or more resolute boy breath \ ed. But the silence, the mystery the gloomy aloofness of Johnson's Mews-lent sinister aspect to an ap- partition formidable enough under any circumstances, but absolutely threaten Ing and full of danger to one situated as be at that moment.
 He never remembered seeing the man
 before. not that this repellent physiog- nomy was of type to be soon forgot ten. A bullet head, with prominent, bloo6 "ot eyes, strong, cruel mouth, hug. nose, badly broken-a certain strength of character in features de- based by drink and criminality-these were the tokens writ legibly on the countenance glaring intently at the boy from without.
 The two gazed at each other for an appreciable time. The mans face wan dered from Philips face to his costume and then rested on the open portman- teau at the boys feet. There was in his expression an air of astonishment- certain gloating bewilderment-as of one who had stumbled unawares upon some object of such potential value that the finder could hardly believe 1t to be true. He was thinking, wonder ing, debating, with himself. The gog- gle eyes seemed to see more than the brain was inclined to credit
 Philip despite his alarm felt that the right course was to resent this imperti- rent prying into his affairs.
 Hello, youw he shouted. What do you want?"
 The man grinned. He seemed to be about to answer when he suddenly turned his head and looked down the yard toward the entry.
 Instantly he swung round and van ished noiselessly with the silent alert ness of cat, for the boy heard no sound. He simply disappeared in the darkness, and Philip. who knew every. inch of the ground, realized that his most unpleasant yisaged spy had not only dived into the further obscurity of the news, which formed cul-de- sac, but also was either in his stocking feet or wore something over his boots to deaden any possible clatter on the pay ing stones.
 Here was a nice thing. his habitat discovered by some tramp or criminal skulking in the untenanted building marked out for the house breakers within a few days. It was too bad. He was sorely annoyed that be had not thought sooner of the potentialities of the window when the interior of the house was illumined by candle and ruddy fire. How long had the man stood there watching him7 He had certainly seen some portion of the con tents of the Inst portmanteau. Had he also witnessed the removal of the oth- CTS to the pantry?
 Philips experience as a newspaper vender told him that all London was now familiar with his own personal appearance as well as with the sem blance and value of his meteoric dia- monds. The white stones, the clumps of iron ore, had been described minute ly by clever journalists. who supple mented Isaacstein's clear statement by facts gleaned from encyclopedias and interviews with geologists.
 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 vagraDt 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 1t was. the man was puzzled and disturbed at the very mo neut be was about to say something. What had happened to cause him to run avayl What had he seen or beard: Above all, how much did he know of Philip and his affairsf
 We'll. the door was locked. and IL would he folly to 90 out again that night The house was absolutely un- spproachable save I,y the front Philip fesOlFe4 tg aea14asa .4ssake until day break 0Brie1's spade stood against the fireplace. It was a formidable weapon. and he would not hesitate to use it if forcibse eatry vas attempted He must sit qaietly ia tse dark. listen I1g for each so11d sad threatening boldly when he hezrd ary one endeav- sri7x t0 open door or window.
 He sszbed fer hs wss rsry tired, but fh1 vf-H uaz fr-nrzxf~a