The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-09-29

Nv
This time II wss ponceman.
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! I 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.
'I hope I didn't startle you" he be-
gan, but / Just looked in on the on
chance
II am very glad indeed to see you"
interrupted the boy. II am leaving here
tomorrow Just now, while 1 was
packing some Of my belongings. 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 nowY he questioned. do you
mean some time since?3
mo, no. Not half a minute-a few
seconds ago"
"But where can he be? He hasn't
left the news or I must have seen
him. I crossed the road, and no one
came out in so short time"
"Well. he is somewhere In the place.
He had horrid appearance man
with a broken nose. He made me
jump, can assure you"
"A man with a 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, 1 sup
pose?"
The constable stepped back into the
paved court A rapid twist of his
hand sent a vivid beam of light dancing
over ruined tenements, disheveled door
ways and shattered windows.
"a tall man. said Philip, taller
than you, for I could see his chin over
the string of the curtain. He had a big
face, with eyes that stuck out bold
ly''-
Its Jocky right enough 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.
Wont 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 q
smart capture would be his by right
of seniority.
mo" answered the constable stub
bornIy. eff he is here, I 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
out to me-"
Philip obeyed. These preparations
for deadly struggle appealed to his
very soul. for your healthy minded boy
of fifteen has generally ceased to be
a highwayman or pirate in magma
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 s
careful survey of the news. He had
not gone five yards when there was Z
loud crash OF broken glass. The build
ing at the other end Of the yard pos
sessed a couple Of windows facing into
another Enclosure at the back. Obvi
ously the broken nosed Jocky, unseen
| himself, had observed the constable's
| movements.
| Realizing that discovery was immi
nent, he was efrecting a strategic
| movement to the rear.
The policeman instantly abandoned
his cautious tactics. He ran toward
| the door Of the house whence the
| sound came. 1t resisted somewhat
| but yielded to his shoulder. He disap
| peared inside. Philip, after closing hi:
| own door, also ran to the new center
Of interest. shielding the candle will
/ OuG uduu lest IL Dio" out.
Quick as he was. he missed the 6rs
| phase Of a Homeric combat. The vio-
| lent Jocky, foiled by an unnoticed
| iron bar in his attempt to escape. turn
| ed like a mailman on the policeman
| There was no sort Of parley between
them. Cursing the luck that had re-
vealed his hiding place. the man. an
/ ex-convict, with the frame Of q giant
! sprang at his pursuer suddenly from
| an inner room.
The policeman had a seconds warn
| ing. 1t was something but not enough
to give him an advantage. He got his
/ truncheon out. but simultaneously his
| assailant was on him with feEocity
of a catamount They closed in bone
breaking endeavor. and before they
were locked together for ten fearful
seconds the officer of the law bitterly
regretted the professional pride which
/ sent him single handed into this IN
! equal strife.
For he was physically outclassed, ant
he knew 1t, and there is no more un
nerving knowledge can come to mar
! in such a supreme moment Neyerthe
/ loss ba wac n bravo man and he fQrfQh