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

he wasted words in swearing. The
"sailor" grnsped him by the arm and
marched him down the yard, saying
over his shoulder:
"Pull that door to. I'll come back for
my coat in half an hour
Philip followed, but in sea Of per-
plexity. He heard Mason's frantic ex-
postulations to the policemaD-what
was an extra stripe to the loss Of I'M
told wealth-that youngster was richer
than Rothschild, the papers said. The
small lot he showed in the police court
were worth f50,00O-and he had tons
more.
1t was all of no avail Certainly the
constable had never heard such queer
reasons advanced for stopping an ar
rest, but Mason was obviously daZed
for the time-maundering about the
story which everybody talked of. He
would change his tune when he learn
ed to whom he was indebted for his
capture.
Tho boy walked behind them me-
chnnically, shading the candle with his
hand. lie was so absorbed with his
tumultuous thoughts that the first in
dica ton he received of anything bizarre
in his appearance was the giGging of
arch of the news carefully shielding
the Pickering wick.
He blew it out A clock In the small
jewelers. shop opposite showed the
time--ten minutes past II. In that
part Of London, busy hive of men and
women of the working class. he had no
chance of removing his belongings be-
fore the policeman returned.
What would happen If the friendly
constable believed Jocky Mason's ex-
cited statements? True, Philip had
no reason to fear the law. but with
exposure might come other troubles.
Would any one advance claim to his
meteor? Mr.. Abingdon limited at such
q thing. He paid no rent for his
house; be might he turned out Instant
ly-refused permission to remove any
thing except his few unstable house.
hold goods.
Assuredly he was in an awkward
predlcament. OF course there was q
chance that the policeman would con-
If he did not, there would certainly be
complica ton. Could he avoid them by
any means? Where was there q safe
hiding place for his diamonds until
next day? Would mother inspire him
again as she had not failed to do dur
ing so many strange events Would
her spirit guide his footsteps across
this new quicksaud on whose verge
he hestated2
A few doors to the left was . Brien's
shop The old man crept into sight,
staggering under the weight Of n shut
ter. Good gracious Why had he not
thought of this ally sooner: Some
precious minutes were wasted already.
"Arrah. Phil. phwat in the worruld"-
wait just the least hit Mr. O'Brien.
! have some portmnnteaus that l want
TO store for the night. Do let me put
them at the back of your shop. My
place is not very safe you NOW"
"Sure, boy. that's shma.l thing to
ak. Bring 'em, an welcome"
into the news. He carried the two
lesser bags without extraordinary diff
ficulty and deposited them behind
O'Brien's counter. The third was al
most too much for him. as the weight
was all in one hand, hut he got II there,
breath'ess with the exertion.
He had to open the fourth and tear
hn f,,A - Of la1
with the packages taken from the
fifth it was beyond his power TO lift
II. so he dragged 1t bodily aons the
news and into the shop.
A passerby offered to help him.
mo. thanks" he managed to say.
though the effort to speak calmly took
away his remaining breath. Il am
only taking 1t to the shop there
The man glanced at the shop-it was
q marine store dealer's-a place where
lead and iron and brass found ready
sale. He passed on.
BE the forchun wv war, Phil, where
did We get the iligant leather TRUNKS
an phwat's in them" inquired the as
tonished pensioner
aid. II have big story to tell you
one OF these days. Mr.. O'Brien, but
have no time tonight These things
will not be in your way until the morn.
ing?"
1.-THE divil bit. II things go on as
they are, there'll soon he room enough
in the poor ould shop. To think afther
all these years that murthcrin thief
in the war office"-
Philip was safe. He rapidly helped
his friend to put mp the shutters and
rushed back to No. 3. Even vet he
was not quite prepared for eventuali.
ties. He ran upstairs and gathered n
few articles belonging to his mother,
articles he never endeavorcd to sell
even when plnched by hunger.
The last dress she wore. her boots. a
hat, an album with photogra phs, some
toilet accessories from the tiny dress
ing table. the coverlet OF the bed on
which she died-these and kindred me-
mcntos made very credible bulk In
the denuded TDrtmanteau,
He gave one glance at the hole in
the back yard as he went To the coal
house for fresh supply OF coal. That
must remain. II probably would not
he seen. In any case 1t remained in
applicable.
He was stirring the fire when a tap
sounded on the door. and the police
man entered, followed by an inspector.