The San Francisco call., 1913-11-18
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attired in a neat serge suit, a clean
shirt and reputable boots. His first
impulse was to thrust his discarded
garments into the fire. but sentiment
prevailed and he folded them into a
parcel.
Then he extinguished his candle and
went out. To his exceeding surprise.
he discovered that 1t was nearly 8
o'clock-time had indeed flown.
The shops In the Mile End road open
early and close late. He entered a
restaurant where he was unknown.
passing. as a matter OF policy. the
coffee stall of his kindly helper of
those former days. now so remote in
his crowded memories. After eating a
hearty meal for which he was thor
oughly prepared he rendered a SOW
ereign In payment
The proprietor barely glanced at
him. Philip was now well dressed ac-
cording to local ideas, and his strong,
erect figure. his resolute face. added
two or three years to his age when
contrasted with the puny standard Of
IS as set by the poverty stricken East
End
He had forgotten to buy a necktie
and new pair of stockings. These
omissions he now rectified. and he
also purchased a warm, dark gray
travelling rug. several yards of drug
get. a ball of twine and pair of scis-
sors. A couple OF stout but worn
leather portmanteaus caught his eye.
MORE PLANNING
Those are cheap said the sales
, man. quickly, only Is shillings each.
I'm not sure / can afford so much.'
said Philip. hesitatingly. for the rug
alone cost FL shillings.
They're rare bargain: real
leathers-they were never made under
8 each
.'Oh, very we'll. I will take them"
He produced fS. got his change. and
walked away with his goods without
causing any wonderment. The shop
man was only too glad to have such
customer at that late hour.
Philip now knew that he was fairly
safe, but he decided that a derby hat
gave him a more mature appearance
than cap. This alteration being
effected. he hurried off to Johnson
News and re-entered his domicile
without incident worthy of note.
Very quickly. with the help of drug
get. scissors and twine, the two small
trunks were packed with pieces of
the meteor and the paper covered par
cells already prepared. When each
bag weighed about 40 pounds he
stuffed the remaining space with
rolled up newspapers, closed and
locked them. He estimated that three
larger leather bags-these being less
noisy than tin-would hold the re-
mainder of the meteor.
As the next morning would find him
occupation enough, he decided to do
As much as possible that night. Three
times he sailed forth and returned
with a good sized valise. He paid
prices varying from 2 pounds 10 shill-
ings to pounds ] 5 shillings, and al
ways bought second hand goods.
He had locked and strapped the
fourth of his goodly array Of travel
ing bags when he fancied he heard q
footstep in the news. Such an occur
renee would have troubled him not a
jot a week ago. Tonight 1t was ex-
tremely disconcerting.
Notwithstanding the weight of the
packed portmanteaus, especially the
| larger one. he lifted each bodily in his
arms and ran with 1t into the tiny
scullery.
On the front window there was no
blind, only a small, much worn cur
tain covering the lower panes, and he
did not want any stray loafer to gaze
in at him and discover a large guam
tity of luggage in such a disreputable
howell.
When the fourth bag was disposed
of in the dark recess of the scullery
he paused for an instant to listen.
There was not a sound. Through the
window he could discern the roof of
the deserted stables opposite.
He bent again to the task of pack
ing the fifth portmanteau, and was
placing in 1t the last parcel of ore
and diamonds when some of the heavy
contents fell through one end where
the drugget wrapping had been hast
lily folded.
Shaking the package on the floor as
a grocer beats down the contents of
a sugar bag. he picked up the fallen
specimens and put them in one by one.
large lump of ore had fallen apart
when ii dropped. Inside there was a
huge kernel, a rough diamond quite
as large as hens egg.
Philip smiled as he recalled the
boast to Isaacstein. He examined the
stone critically, and realized that IL
il were f1awless ii must be one Of the
marvels Of creation. Without expert
enclng any positive motive. he slipped
this unique specimen into his pocket,
and went on with the reconstruction
OF the damaged parcel.
Continued Tomorrow