The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-09-22

into the prison yard, where the huge
prison van awaited him. He was the
only occupant, just as on b first
memorable ride in that conveyance.
When he came to the prison from the
police court he had several companions
in misery. but they were stretched"
His case a the only remand"
During the long drive Philip endeav-
ored to guess the cause Of this unex-
pected demand for his presence. Nat
urally, he assumed that Johnson's
News no longer held safe the secret of
his meteor. Such few sensational ro-
as he had read credited detec-
tives with superhuman sagacity. In
his mind, Johnson's News was the
center Of the world. 1t enshrined the
marvelous-how could 1t scape the
thousands Of prying eyes that daily
passed through he great thorough
fare Of the East End but a few yards
away? Judging from the remark
dropped by the warder, all London
was talking about him. A puzzllng
feature was the abundant supply of
good food SEN to him in prison. Who
was his unknown friend-and what
explanation was attached to the in
cident?
Philips emotions were no more capa-
BILE of analysis than a display Of rock
cts. Immured in this cage, rafting
over the pavements, he seemed to be
advancing through a tunnel into an un-
known world.
At last the van stopped, and he was
InN forth intn tho ward nf tho rnIioo
court. He followed the same route as
on the previous Saturday, but when
he assembled into the court itself he
discovered a change. The magistrate,
a couple of clerks and some policemen
alone were present. The general pub
lie n the representatives of the press
were not visible.
He had scarcely faced the bench
! when the magistrate said:
you are set at liberty. The police
withdraw the charge against you"
Philips eyes sparkled, and his breast
heaved unanimously. For the life of
him he could utter no word, but Mr..
Abingdon helped him by quietly direct
ing the usher to permit the lad to leave
the dock and take a seat at the So
l~icitors' table.
Then, speaking slowly and with
some gravity, he said:
philip Morland-that is the only
name by which / know you-the au-
thorities have come to the conclusion
that your story is right. You have I'M
questionably found a deposit of dia
monds, and, although this necessarily
exists on some persons property, there
is no evidence to show whose property
it is. 1t may be your own. 1t may be
situated beyond the confines of this
kingdom. There are many hypothesis,
each of which may be true; but, in any
event, il Others lay claim to this treas
ure trove-and 1 warn you that the
crown has a right in such a matter
+ the issue is a civil and not a criminal
n Therefore you are discharged
and your property is now handed back
to you intact"
A clerk placed before Philip his par
eel of diamonds, his key. the rusty
knife. the pieces of string and the two
buttons-truly a motley collection. The
boy was pale and his voice somewhat
tremulous as he asked: -
May l go now. sir|"
Mr.. Abin.don leaned back in his
chair and passed his hand over his
face to conceal a smile. .
81 have something more to say to
you," he answered. at is an offense
against the law to withhold your name
and address. 1 admit the powerful
motives which actuated you, SO l make
the very great concession that you.
earlier refusal will be overlooked ii
you privately tell me that which you
were unwilling to state publicly"
Philip instantly decided that it would
offer. He pocketed his diamonds, look
ed the magistrate straight in the fac.
and said:
Il will do that. sir. AS the informa
ton is to be given to you alone, may
write it?" "
The policemen and other official
sniggered at this display of caution
but the magistrate nodded, and Phil
wrote his name and address on a sheei
of foolscap, which he folded before
handing it to the usher.
To his great surprise. Mr.. Abingdon
placed the paper in a pocketbook with
out opening it.
II will make no use of this documen
unless the matter comes before mt
again officially. I wish to point out t.
you that l have brought you from pris
on at the earliest possible moment ant
have spared you the publicity which
your movements would attract were
our case settled In open court. YOU
are not aware perhaps that you 1gur.
largely In the eyes of the public at thi.
moment. There are newspapers which
would give a hundred pounds to ge
hold of you. There are thieves who
would shadow your every movement
waiting for a chance to waylay ant
rob you-murder yon if necessary.
have taken precautions, therefore, Il
safeguard you, at least within the pre-
cincts Of this court, but l cannot be re
sponsible beyond its limits. May /,
ask what you intend to dor ~@ .
Philip. proud In the knowledge tia