The San Francisco call., 1913-11-19
A DECISIVE BATTLE


1t would be idle to deny that Philip
was startled by the sight No braver
or more resolute boy breathed: but
the silence, the mystery-the gloomy
aloofness Of Johnson's Mews-lent a
sinister aspect to an apparition for
midable enough under any circum-
stances, but absolutely threatening
and full of danger TO one situated as
he at that moment.
He never remembered seeing the
man before. Not that his repellant
physiognomy was of type to be
soon forgotten. bullet head with
prominent, bloodshot eyes, a strong,
cruel mouth, huge nose badly
broken-a certain strength of char
acter in features debased by drink
and criminality-these were the to-
kens writ legibly on the countenance
glaring intently at the boy from with
out
The two gazed at each other for an
appreciable time The mans face
wandered from Philips face TO his
costume, and then rested on the open
portmanteau at the boy feet. There
was in his expression an air of as
tonishment-a certain gloating bewil-
derment-as one who had stumbled
unawareS upon some object of such
potential value that the finder could
hardly believe it to be true. He was
thinking, wondering, debating with
himself. The google eyes seemed to
see more than the brain was inclined
TO credit.
Philip. despite his alarm, felt that
the right course was to resent this
impertinent prying into his affairs.
Hello, you." he shouted. What do
you want?"
The man grinned. He seemed about
TO answer when he suddenly turned
his head and looked down the yard
toward the entry
Instantly he swung round and van
3shed noiselessly, with the silent
alertness of a cat, for the boy heard
no sound. He simply disappeared in
the darkness, and Philip, who knew
every inch of the ground, realized
that his most unpleasant visaged spy
had not only dived into the further
obscurity of the mews-which formed
a cul de sac-but also was either in
his stocking feet or wore something
over his boots to deaden any possible
clatter on the paving stones
Here was a nice thing-his habitat
discovered by some tramp or GRIM
fnal skulking in the untenanted
building marked out for the house
breakers within a few days 1t was
too bad. He was sorely annoyed that
he had not thougkk sooner of the
potentialities of the window when the
interior of the house was illuminated
by candle and a ruddy fire. How
long had the man stood there watch
Ing him? He had certainly seen some
portion of the contents of the last
portmanteau. Had he also witnessed
the removal of the others to the
pantry?
Philips experience as a newspaper
vender told him that all London was
now familiar with his own personal
appearance, as well as with the
semblance and value of his meteorie
diamonds. The white stones. the
clumps of iron ore, had been described
minutely by clever journalists. who
supplemented Isaacstein's clear state
ment by facts CLEANED from encyclo-
pedias and interviews with geologists
Most probably this man had read
long articles about him, for the story
was such as to bring watery curses
TO the lips of every penniless vagrant
in the kingdom. Indeed. the careful
scrutiny bestowed in his face and
clothes bore out this suspicion. Had
he not changed his garments, the
stranger would have known his iden-
tity beyond all question. AS it was
the man was puzzled and disturbed
al the very moment he was about Il
say something. What had happened
TO cause him to run away? What hae
he seen or heard? Above all, how
much did he know of Philip and hil
affairs?
THE POLICEMAN
Well, the door was locked. and II
would be folly to go out again thai
night. The house was absolutely un-
approachable save by the front. Philip
resolved to remain awake until day
break. o'Brien's spade stood against
the fireplace. 1t was a formidable
weapon, and he would not hesitate tc
use it If forcible entry was attempted
He must sit quietly In the dark, lis
tening for each sound and threaten.
ing boldly when he heard any one
endeavoring to open door or window
He sighed, for he was very tired
but the vigil was imperative.
He dropped the drugget and scis.
Eors and bent again over the portman.
teau. The packing operations NIGH
as we'll be finished now, and. indeed
when the light was extinguished, Il
would be better to keep away from
the window, through which a sudder
thrust with an implement might d,
him an injury.
He took his discarded clothes ans
arranged them on top of the last par
s cells OF ore and diamonds. Then h,
reached out for a small bundle o
documents resting on the chair be
hind him, intending to place them ii
a little pocket in the flap which al
ready covered one-half of the bag.
At that instant he again hear,
footsteps. OF course, very fey
seconds had elapsed since he frs
caught sight OF the living specie
without The ideas recorded at sue
length whirled through his activ
brain with lightning speed. just a
the knowledge now came that tn
footsteps proceeded from the en-
trance to the news and not from 1t
extremity, while their firm regular
fty betokened the advent of som
person who had no special reason t
conceal his movements.
The boy listened breathlessly. Tn
oncomer reached his door, passed i
stopped opposite the window, an
then another face peered over tn
curtain.
This time it was a policeman.
For an instant their eyes met
mutual astonishment. Then the pc
liceman came so close that his helmt
rested against a pane of glass. II
grinned affably, and cried:
"Herei ! want to speak to you
Intuitively grasping the essentis
fact that his best policy was one {
ready acquiescence, Philip spran
toward the door and unlocked it. II
stood on the step. The constable al
preached. -.-~---.l-.---.-----A--.-