The San Francisco call., 1913-11-22
THE pEALER ovERcoME

and his head sank between his
shoulders. He again reminded Philip
of a top. The boy fancied that in a
second or two he would begin TO spin
and purr The bank managers state
ment f1attered the little man. 1t was
the sort OF thing he understood
Philip privately resolved to make this
human top wobble when alone with
him in the street again.
One more question and I have
ended" he said. Where is the best
place to store some vaIuables?"
1T all depends upon the nature of
the valuables. What are they? Plate.
jewels. papers,
The dealers ears were alert now.
and the boy smiled family.
oh" he explained. I have very
large quantity of rich ore which ]
wish to lodge in some place where it
will be secure and yet easy of access"
4 would advise you to rent a
strong room in the safe deposit across
the street. There you have absolute
security and quick access during
business hours"
Philip expressed his thanks and
quilted the bank with his agent.
In the middle of Holboro. in the
midst of the jostling, hurrying occu-
pants of one of the busiest thorough
fares in London. he pulled the giant
diamond out OF his pocket and sud
denly held it under the dealers nose
4 told you / had them as big as
hens eggs" he cried What do you
think of thls one2
Are you mad" he whispered.
No. not mad" answered Philip.
coolly. as he pocketed the gem Il
only wanted you to wobble.
You wanted me to wobble2
Yes You look so like a big top
at times When do we meet again?'
You are not going away by your
self with that stone in your pocket
why not2 1t attracted no especial
notice from the people as came here.
Nobody can smell it. Ii won't ex-
plode nor burn hole in my clothes.
1t is quite safe ! assure you"
But let me take it to Amsterdam.
Bow boy, It must weigh 400 caratsi"
Enough Of business for today. 1
have a lot of things to attend to-
Shall we say Tuesday,"
NO. Wednesday,. at II. One word
"Goodby"
Philip hailed hanson and drove
off to Ludgate hill. smiling graciously
at Isaacstefn as he whirled away
The dealer swayed gently through
the crowd until he reached the office.
when he dropped Imply into his chair.
Then he shouted for his confidential
clerk
Samuel" he murmured. take
want to rest before I start for Har-
wich. And. Samuel"
Yes. SIR
while I am away you might or
der another scales. In future we will
sell diamonds by the pound. like po-
tatoes"
IN CLOVER
After picking up his belongings
ct the outfitter's=two smart Glad
stone bags with "P. A." nicely paint
ed on them=Phflip stopped his cab
a Somerset house He experienced no
difficulty in reaching the proper
department for stamping documents
and thus giving them legal signif-
cance.
An official glanced at Isaacstein's
contract note and then looked at
Philip, evidently regarding him as a
relative or youthful secretary of the
Philip Arson. Esq. Pail Mall hotel"
whose name figured on the paper.
7 suppose you only want this to be
Indicated" he said.
Yes agreed Philip. who had not
the remotest idea what he meant.
.'SixDence" was the curt rejoinder
Philip thought he would be called
on to pay many pounds-some amount
in the nature of percentage of the
sum named in the agreement. He
made no comment. With stamps
or without he knew that Isaacstein
would go straight in this preliminary
undertaking. A single glimpse of the
monster diamond in his pocket had
made that quite certain.
For the rest he was rapidly max
ing ont a plan which should secure
his interests effectually. He hoped,
before the day was out, to have set
on foot arrangements which would
free him from all anxiety.
From Somerset house ne drove to
Pail Mall hotel A gigantic hall
porter looking like 2 youthful major
general in undress uniform received
him with much ceremony and ushered
him to the Office, where an urbane
clerk instantly classed him as the
avant courier of an American family
Il want sitting room and bed
"one BEDROOM" was the surprised
query.
Yes"
How many Of you are there,
them"
Il beg your pardon2"
Are you alone?
Yes
The clerk fumbled with the regis
ter. Precocious Juveniles were not
unknown to him. but a boy of Philips
type had not hitherto arisen over his
horizon.
"A sitting room and bedroom en-
suite2" he repea ted.
Exactly"
The clerk was disconnected by
Philips steady gaze.
''On what floory' he asked.
Really" said Philip, .T don't
know Suppose you tell me what ac
commodations you have. Then / will
decide at once"
The official. who was one of the
most skilled hotel clerks in London,
found IL ridiculous to be put out of
countenance by mere boy. who could