Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-08-08

"It's hard to say" observed the con-
stable
81 will look round and have chat
with him in the morning. Poor little
chap! He's sleeping like top now"
The inspector called at No. 3 John
sons News soon after 10 next morn
ing, but the door was locked and the
bird flown. lie spoke TO Mason after
that worthy was remnnded for n week,
but nights painful secluson had
sealed the burglars lips. Ie vowed,
with fearful emphasis, to get even
with the kid who "ahted' him, for the
policeman's evidence had revealed the
truth concerning the arrest. But not
another word would Mason say about
the diamonds, aud for little while the
inspector placed his overnight revela-
tons in the category of myths familiar
to the police in their daily dealings
with criminals
Philip awoke shortly before I.
lie was cold and stiff The weather
was chilly, and there was no ardent
meteor IN the back yard to keep the
temperature Of the house at n grateful
point during the night.
But his active young frame quickly
dlssipated the effects of n deep sleep
on drafty floor He washed his face
and hands at the sink in the scullery,
and his next thought was for break
fast, proof, If proof were needed
that he arose refreshed in mind and
body.
In the Mile End road there are plen-
ty of early morning restaurants. At
one of them he made substantial
meal, and, on his return to the news,
he lost not moment in carrying out n
systematic search through ali parts Of
the house aud yard for any traces Of
the meteor which might have escaped
his ken in the darkness.
Amid the earth and broken stones Of
the excavation there were few frag-
ments of ore and some atomic speci-
mems OF the diamantiferous material
not sufficient, all told, to nil the palm
of his hand, but he gathered them for
obvious reasons and then devoted five
vigorous minutes with O'Brien's spade
to the task Of filing up the deep hole
itself.
BY lowering the fagstones and
breaking tie earth beneath he soon
gave the small yard an appearance OF
chaos which might certainly puzzle
people. but which would afford no DOS
SUN ,i-w ~ the nature or the disturb
ing element.
At best they might imagine that the
slread evidence Of some weird crime
lay in the broken area. If SO, they
could dig until they were tired. But,
indeed, he was now guarding against n
most unlikely hypothesis. The prob
ability was that Johnson's News would
soon cease to exist and become al
most as fabulous as the island of At
lantis.
Moreover, he had a project dimly
outlined in his mind which might be
come definite If all went we'll with
him that day. Then the ownership of
No. 3, JohnsOn's News, would cease
to trouble him. for Philip was quite
sure the whole power of the law would
he invoked to prevent him from deal
ing with his meteor if once the exact
| place where It fell became publicly
known.
O'Brien's shop was scarcely open be-
fore Philip was there with his remain
ing portmantcau.
"Arrah, Phil me bhoy. Where in the
name of goodness are yc gatherin' the
beautiful leather Trunks FROM ask
ed the pensioner.
This is the last one laughed the
boy. Il am off now To find Il cab. and
you won't see me again until Monday"
"Faix. he's wonderful lad entirely"
commented the old man. "Whut sort
of plundhcr has he in the bags, at ali
at all?"
In idle curiosity he lifted the last
addition to the pile. 1t was normal.
even light In weight. Then he nodded
knowingly.
"A lot OF ould buds belongin' to Mrs.
Arson, I'll be bonn. All. we'll. the
Lord rest her sowl tits she was the
fine woman. l wish had some one as
oliver as her to write for me TO that
thafe OF the worruld who thried'-
As there are 10 signs in the art Of
literature similar to those which serve