The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-08-23
CHAPTER vi.

preserve his secret, how hope TO
Il prevail against the majesty of
the British law as personified by the
serene authority Of the man whose
penetrating glance now rested on him?
His was q dour and stubborn nature,
though hardly nodded as yet In rigid
lines. He threw back his head and
frightened his lips. He would cling to
his anonymity to the bitter end, no
matter what the cost But he would
not lie. Never again would he conde-
sceId to adopt a subterfuge.
Ihilip Morland," began the magis-
tratc.
"My name is not Philip Morland,"
interrupted the boy.
"Then what is your name"
81 will not tell you, sir. I mean no
ilsrespect, but the fact that am treat
ed as a criminal merely because I
wish to dispose Of my property warns
me of what l may expect II I state
publicly who am and where live"
For the first time the magistrate
heard the correct and well modulated
how of Philips speech. If anything, it
made more dense the mist through
which he was trying to grope his way.
''What do you mean?" he asked
81 mean that if l state who I am
will be robbed and swindled by all
with whom come in contact have
starved, l have been beaten for trying
to earn q living. I was struck last
night for saving q girls life. was ar
rested and dragged through the streets
handcuffed this morning because went
openly to dealer to sell portion-to
sell some Of my diamonds. / will take
no more risks. You may imprison me,
but you cannot force me to speak. If
you are fair man you will give me
back my diamonds and let me go free"
Ills outburst fairly electrified the
coartt. Philip could not have adopted
more dOmineering tone were he the
governor Of the Bank Of England
charged with passing counterfeit half
crown. The magistrate was as sur
prisAd as any.
81 do not wish to argue with YOU"
he said quietly, nor do l expect you
to commit yourself in any way, but
you must surely see that for poverty
stricken boy to be found in possession
Of gems of great marketable value is a
circumstance that demands inquiry,
however honest and-er-well bred you
may be-"
"The only witness against me has
said that the diamonds could not have
been stolenv cried Philip, now thor
oughly aroused and ready for any war
Of wits.
quite true. The inference is that
you have discovered meteoric deposit
of diamonds"
81 have. Some-not all-are before
you"
tremor shook the court Isaacstein
swallowed something, and his head
sank more deeply below his shoulders.
'Then / take it that you will not in
form me of the locality of this deposit?'
Eyes"
"And you think that by disclosing
your name and address you will reveal
that localityT'
Philip grew red.
as it fair" he said, with a curious
iciness in his tone, that man of your
age should use his position and knowl-
edge to try to trip boy who Is brought
before you on false charger
1t was the magistrates turn to look
slightly confused. There was some
asperity in his reply.
~ am not endeavoring to trip you,
but rather to help you to free yourself
from a difficult position. However, do
I understand that you refuse to answer
my questions"
81 dor The young voice rang
through the building with amazing
ierceness.
Mr.. Abingdon bent over the big book
In front Of him and scrubbed some
thing.
demanded for a week." he NUT
tered.
Downstairs" growled the court
jailer, and Philip disappeared from
sight. The magistrate was left gazing
at the packet Of diamonds, and he call
ed Isaacstein, the clerk Of the court
and two police inspectors into his pri-
vate Office for a consultation.
Meanwhile London was placarded
with Philips adventures that Saturday
evening. Contents bills howled In their
blacklist and biggest type, news vend-
ers bawled themselves hoarse over this
latest sensation, journalistic ferrets
combined theory and Imagination In
the effort to spin out more copy"
Scotland Yard set its keenest detec-
tives at work to reveal the secret of |
Philips Identity, while Isaacstein, act
Ing on the magistrates instructions,
wrote to every possible source of in
formation In the effort to obtain some |
clew as to recent meteoric showers.
No one thought Of connecting the |
great storm with the diamond mys- |
terry" Meteors usually fall from q |
clear sky and are In no way affected |
by atmospheric disturbances, their |
normal habitat being far beyond the
Influence Of the earth's envelope Of air. |
And SO the hunt for the meteor
commenced and was kept up with zest
FOR many days Have You found it?'
became the stock question Of the hu-
morist and might Be addressed with
immunity to any stranger, particularly