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

ISaaceteln was watching MIN closely,
trying to solve the puzzle by the aid Of
each trick and dodge known In n trade
which lends itself to acute roguery Of
every description. The look of uncon-
scious anxiety, Of mental WEAKNESS on
Philips face seemed to clear away his
doubts. He chuckled thlckly.
"IIow many, now" he murmured.
''Ten. twcnty-of assorted sizes, eh?"
Far more! Far more! BE content
with what tell you today, Mr.. Isaac
stein. said my business was impor-
tant. When you are better acquainted
with me l think you will find it sufi
GENTLY valuable to occupy the whole of
your time"
Philip was ever on the verge OF
bursting out into condolences. His Sc
cret was too vast, too overpowcring,
for boy of fifteen. He wanted the
knowledge and the trust of an older
man. lie did not realize that the mer-
chant, beginning by regarding him as
n thief was now veering round to the
opinion that he was lunatic, for 1t IS
| known to most men that the values
Of diamonds increase out of all proper
ton to their weight While one car
at stone Ia worth, roughly speaking.
flo, twenty carat gem OF the same
| purity Is worth any sum beyond
$1,000. and the diamond Philip had
| submitted for inspection would prob
ably cut into ten or twelve carats Of
fine lustcr. TO speak therefore Of an
abundance Of larger and finer stones
was simple absurdity, The De Beers
company alone could use such q figure
Of speech. and even then only at isolat-
cd dates in its history.
The boy, with his eyes stcadfastly
! fixed on the mans face and yet with a
/ distant expression in them that paid
slight heed to the waves of emotion
| exhibited by the Ecayy checks and
! pursed up month. awaited soWc final
utteiance on the part of his QucStioncr.
| Surely he had said sufficient 10 make
this man kecnly alive to the CONNER
| cial value of the Cuisines" he offered.
! Under the conditions Is9acSte In could
not refuse TO give him srtficicnt money
| to meet his Immediate wants.
| The man. seemingly at loss for
words. bent again over the stone. He
was scrutinizlng it closely when a
heavy tread crossed the outer show
! room and the door was flung open.
II have sent for you, con able. to
take this boy into custody" hc cried
eXcitedly. "IIc came here ten minutes
ago and offered for sale very valu-
able diamond so rare and worth so
much that he must have stolen it,"
Philip too, sprang up.
at is lic.' he shouted. "IIOw dare
you say such n thing when I have told
you that It is mine"
The policeman collarcd him by the
shoulder.
STEADY. my young spark" he said
"Mr. Isaacstein knows what he Is
about and I don't suppose he is very
far wrong this time. DO YOU know
the boy, siv;" he went on.
Isaacstein gave voluhlc and accu-
rate summary Of Philips statements
Each moment the poliCemaus grip be-
came firmcr. Evidently the boy was
the mere agent Of gang of thieves
though 1t was beyond comprehension
that any one short Of an idiot should
choose an emisSary with broken boot,
and ragged clothing In order TO effect
deal with the leading house In Hat
ton Garden.
Philip listened to the recital in duml
agony. His face was deathly pale ant
his eyes glowed with the rage an(
shame that filled his sonl So the mar
had been playing with him. merely
fooling him until SOW" secret signal by
an electric bell had sent a messenger
flying for the police. His dream %
wealth would end in the Jail his fairy
oasis would be fclon's cell. Very
well. be it so. IF he could help It, no
all thr policemen In London should
rend his secret from him. With sud
den glow of fiery satisfaction he re
memhered that his clothing contained
no clcw to his address and lie had no
given his name at either Iudcate Hi
or Hatton Garden. How long coulC
they keep him prisoner Would
others find his meteor and rob him o.
his mothers gift? In less than for$
night men would come to tear dowr
the buildings in Jolnson's News. Well
it mattered not. The courage Of dc
spair which nerved him the previous
night came to his aid again. He woul'
defy them all. careless Of consequence
The policeman was saying:
Its a queer affair sir. Did he real
ly say he had lots more OF emp
eyes, yes. DO you think am no
mancing? Perhaps they are in his pos
session now"
"IIave you any more Of these stones
boy"
Philip. with lips tcnscly set was des
perately cool again. IIc moved hi
arm. and the constahlps grasp tight
encd.
"You are hurting mo" said the boy
IL merely wish to put my hand in IN,
pocket. Are you afraid Of me that yo'
hold me so fast?'
The policeman. Ike the rest did no
fail to notice Philips dctjon. TIL
scornful superiority Of his words. tn
challenge of the final question, tool
him aback. He relaxed his grip AM
grinned cOnfusedly.
Philip instantly produced his pape
of diamonds and opened it widely s
that all the stones could be seen. ii
handed the parcel to the policeman.
Take good care of Them, constable,
, he said. Judging from results, the
10 ~