Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-10-26

! sound. He simply disappeared in the
darkness, and Philip, who knew every
inch of the ground, realized that his
most unpleasant visaged spy had not
only dived into the further obscurity
/ of the news, which formed Guide
sac, but also was either in his stocking
feet or wore something over his boots to
deaden any possible clatter on the paw
ing stones.
Here was nice thing, his habitat
| discovered by some tramp or criminal
skulking in the untenanted building
marked out for the house breakers
within few days. 1t was too bad
He was sorely annoyed that he had
not thought sooner of the potentialities
of the window when the interior of the
house was illumined by candle and a
ruddy fire. How long had the man
stood there watching him? He had
certainly seen some portion of the con-
tents of the last portmanteau. Had he
also witnessed the removal of the 9th
ers to the pantry?
Philips experience as a newspaper
vender told him that all London was
now familiaS 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
mentel Isaacstein's clear statement by
facts Cleaned from encyclopedias and
interviews with biologists.
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 vagrant 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 it was, the man was
puzzled and disturbed at the very mo
ment he was about to say something.
What had happened to cause him to
run away? What had he seen or heard?
Above all, how much did he know Of
Philip and his affairs?
Well, the door was locked, and 1t
would be folly to go out again that
approachable save by the front. Philip
resolved to remain awake until day
break. OBrien's spade stood against
the fireplace. 1t was a formidable
weapon, and he would not hesitate to
nse it If forcible entry was attempted.
He must sit quietly in the dark, listen
Ing for each sound and threatening
boldly when he heard any one endeav-
oring to open door or window.
He sighed, for he was very tired, but
the vigil was imperative.
He dropped the drugget and scissors
and bent again over the portmanteau
The packing operations might as well
be finished now, and indeed when the
light was extinguished It would be bet
ter to keep away from the window,
through which a sudden thrust with
an implement might do him an injury.
He took his discarded clothes and ar
ranged them on top of the last parcels
of ore and diamonds. Then he reached
out for the small bundle of documents
resting on the chair behind him, in
tending to place them in little pocket
In the flap which already covered one
half of the bag.
At that instant he again heard foot
steps. OF course very few seconds
had elapsed since he first caught sight
of the living specter without. The
ideas recorded at such length whirled
through his active brain with lightning
speed just as the knowledge now came
that the footsteps proceeded from the
entrance to the news and not from its
extremity, while their firm regularity
betokened the advent of some person
who had no special reason to conceal
his movements.
The boy listened breathlessly. The
oncomer reached his door, passed It.
stopped opposite the window, and then
another face peered over the curtain.
This time 1t was policeman.
For an instant their eyes met in mu-
tual establishment Then the police
man came so close that his helmet rest
ed against pane of glass. He grinned
affably and cried:
Here! want to speak to YOU"
Intuitively grasping the essential
fact that his best policy was one of
ready acquiescence, Philip sprang to-
ward the door and unlocked 1t. He
stood on the step. The constable ap-
preached.
II hope didn't startle you" he be-
gan, "but 1 just looked in on the off
chance
Il am very glad indeed to see you"
interrupted the boy. II am leaving here
tomorrow. Just now, while l was
packing some of my belongings, very
nasty looking man came and peeped
in at me in the same way as you did"
He backed into the house. The police
man half followed him, his quick glance
noting the open portmanteau and its
array of old clothes.
"Just now?" he questioned. "Do you
mean some time SINGER
''No, no. Not half a minute-a few
seconds ago"