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

only occupant, just as on the nrSt
memorable ride in that conveyance.
When he came TO the prison from the
police court he had several companions
In misery but they were stretched"
His case was the only remand"
During the long drive Philip endeav.
ored TO guess the cnuse Of this unex-
pected demand for his presence Nat
urally. he assumed that Johnson's
News no longer held safe the secret of
his meteor. Such few sensational ro-
mances as ne had read credited dctec.
tlves with superhuman sagacity. In
his mind. Johnsons News was the
center Of the world II enshrined the
marvellous how could 1t escape the
thousands of prying eyes that daily
passed through the great thorough
fare Of the East End but a few yards
away? Judging from the remark
dropped by the warder, all London
was talking about him. A puzzllng
feature was the abundant supply of
good food sent to him in prison who
was his unknown fricnd-and what
explanation was attached to the in
cdent!
Philips emotions were no more capa-
BILE of analysis than display of rock
cts. Immured in this cage, rafting
over the pavementS. he seemed to he
advancing through tunnel into an UNI
| known world.
| At last the van stopped, and he was
led forth into the yard of the police
court He followed the same route as
on the previous Saturday. but when
he assembled into the court itself he
discovered a change The magistrate,
couple of clerks and some policemen
alone were present. The general pub
lie and the representatives OF the press
were not visible.
lie had scarcely faced the bench
when the magistrate said:
"You are set at liberty. The police
withdraw the charge against YOU"
Philips ewes sparklcd. and his breast
heaved unanimously. For the life of
him he could utter no word. but Mr.
Abingdon helped him by quietly direct
ing the usher to permit the lad to leave
the dock and take a seat at the So
licitors' table.
Then, speaking slowly and with
some gravity. he said:
philip MoiNand that is the only
name by which | know you-thc au-
thorities have come to the conclusion
that your story is right. You have I'M
questionahly found a deposit of dia
monds, and. although this necessarily
exists on some persons property, there
is no evidence to show whose property
it Is. 1t may be your own. 1t may be
situated beyond the confines Of this
Kingdom. There are many hypotheses
each of which may he true; but, in any
event. If others lay claim to this treas
ure rove-anl warn you that the
crown has right in such natter
the issue is n civil and not criminal
one. Therefore you are discharged
and your property is now handed back
O. you intact
A clerk placed before Philip his par
eel of diamonds, his key, the rusty
knife the pieces of string and the two
buttons-truv motley collection. The
boy was pal and his voice somewhat
tremulous as he asked:
May so now. sir"
Mr. Abingdon leaned back in his
chair and passed his hand over his
Mce to conceal a smile.
II have something more to say 10
YOU" he answered. st is an otfensc
against the law to withhold your name
and address. l admit the powerful
motives which actuated you. SO make
the very great concession that your
ea rlcr refusal will he overlooked if
you privately telSme that which you
were unwilling to state publicly"
Philip instantly decided that it would
he foolish in the extreme TO refuse this
offer. He poCketed his diamonds. look
ed the magistrate straight III the face
and said:
Il will do that, sir. AS the informa-
ton is to be given to you alone, may
write it?"
The policemen and other officials
staggered N this display of caution,
but the mag lstrate nodded, and Philip
wrote his name and address on Il sheet
of foolscap, which he folded before
handing it to the usher.
h
placed the paper in a pockethook with
out opening II.
81 will make no use Of this documen,
unless the matter comes before me
again officially. | wish to point out tC
you that haze brought you from prs
on Mt the earliest possible moment and
. have spared YOU the publicity which
your movements would attract were
your case settled Ia open court. You
are not aware perhaps that You figure
largely in the eyes Of the public at this
| moment There are newspapers which
would give hundred pounds to gel
| hold Of you. There are thieves who
would shadow your every movement
waiting for chance TO wavlay and
rob you-murder You If necessary.
{ have taken precautions, therefore. tC
, safeguard YOU. at least within the pre-
cincts of this court, hut cannot be re
sponslhle beyond its limits. May
t ask what you intend to do?'
, Philip, proud In the knowledge tina
t he was cleared of all dishonor, was a
no loss for words now.
: "First / wish to thank you. SIR" he
3 said. "You have acted most kindly
= toward me. and when I am older
= hope to be permitted to acknowledge
} your thoughtfulness better than is pos
9 sible today. | will endcavor to take
! Mr.. Isaacstein. ] do not expect tina