The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-09-06
s The KING of 81
DIAMONDS. /
By Louis Tracy,
COPYRIGHT. 1904. BY EDWARD }. GLOBE.
Author of "Winss of the Morning. 1.-THE Pillar Of
Light" Etc.

extremity, while their firm regularis,
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 it. He
stood on the step. The constable ap-
preached.
II hope 1 didn't startle YOU" he be-
gan, "but 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 I was
packing some Of my belongings, q 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 since?"
mo, no. Not half a minute-a few
seconds ago"
"But where can he be? He hasn't
left the news or 1 must have seen
him. 1 crossed the road, and no one
came out in so short time"
swell, he is somewhere in the place.
He had a horrid Appearances man
with a broken nose. He made me
jump, can assure you."
"a man with broken nose! BY
Jove! I'm looking for party Of that
description. A rank wrong 'un. Rob-
berry with violence and a few other
little things. What sort of a man was
he? You saw his face only, l sup
pose?"
The constable stepped back into the
paved court A rapid twist Of his
hand sent vivid beam of light dancing
over ruined tenements, disheveled door
ways and shattered windows.
"a tall man." said Philip, taller
than you, for could see his chin over
the string of the curtain. He had a big
face, with eyes that stuck out bold
ly"-
'Tt's Jocky right enoughy' cried the
constable. "Now, where can he have
got to? He's an ugly customer to
tackle single handed" he added be-
meath his breath.
won't you wait a bit until l get
some help?' said Philip anxiously.
The man appeared to debate the
point. The nearest comrade was an
acting sergeant, newly promoted. If
he were summoned, the kudos of
smart capture would be his by right
Of seniority.
NO" answered the constable stub
bornly. IF he is here, will handle
him myself"
Again his lamp swept the small area
Of the news and revealed no living OBJ
ject. He quickly unfastened his belt,
took off his greatcoat and readjusted
belt and lamp again.
"Now I'm ready for him." he grinned.
.'Put my coat inside, boy, and stand
At the door yourself with the candle in
your hand. If you see anything, yell
put to me-"
Philip obeyed. These preparations
for a deadly struggle appealed to his
very soul, for your healthy minded boy
Of fifteen has generally ceased to be
4 highwayman or pirate In imagina-
ton and aims rather at planting the
union jack on a glacis bristling with
hostile cannon.
The policeman, feeling for the loose
strap of his truncheon, commenced q
careful survey of the news. He had |
not gone five yards when there was i
oud crash Of broken glass. The build |
Ing at the other end of the yard pos |
'essed a couple of windows facing into |
another inclosure at the back. Obvi- |
,usly the broken nosed Jocky, unseen
himself, had observed the constable's |
Realizing that discovery was ami |
lent. he was effecting strategic |
movement to the rear.
The policeman instantly abandoned |
lis cautious tactics. He ran toward |
he door of the house whence the |
iound came. 1t resisted somewhat.
,ut yielded to his shoulder. He disap-
'eared inside. Philip. after closing his
wn door, also ran to the new center
f interest, shielding the candle with
ne hand lest II should blow out.
Quick as he was, he missed the first
phase Of Homeric combat. The vio
ent Jocky, foiled by an unnoticed
ron bar In his attempt to escape, turn.
I'd like mailman on the policeman.
There was no sort of parley between
hem. Cursing the luck that had re.
Tealed his hiding place, the man, an
.x-convict, with the frame of giant
'prang at his pursuer suddenly from
In inner room.
The policeman had seconds warn.
ng. 1t was something, but not enough
o give him an advantage He got his
out, but simultaneously bis
ssailant was on him with ferocity