Christopher and the Clockmakers

a returning bus, Christo

cent to see the re

nquired McPhears

Mr. Ha

abruptly in the mid

never thought of it! Why under th

boy with diffidence. "I was af

eacock to show them off. You could have been wandering round with h

the clockmaker's tone that

n't think of it again. I oughtn't to have ment

mpanion was

o back," su

ore. Maybe you'll be going up there agai

t. If Seventeen behaves herself as I expect she will, I shall not b

d hailing a bus c

r way in with difficulty, jostling aside i

eaving at the next stop," McPhe

corner the passengers poured out, l

of relief his eye wandered idly over those sitting ne

ndered the figure s

ttention. Something in the way the fellow's collar was pulled up and his hat pulled down; something in the gesture with which he moved his hands to turn his paper aroused a vague memory. Fascinated, the lad watched. What was it that rendered the figure so familiar? He had never seen the man before

e fellow. Why stare at him? But do what he would, ba

red his paper, and as he turned his head to look out, the boy saw on

ro of the ring adventure-there could be no possible doubt of it. And yet, after all, was it? This person's hair was whi

about in an electric bus in broad daylight. Such a notion was ab

a very clean hand for such a poorly dressed individual to boast. It did not look at all in keeping with the clumsy boots, t

or whom both the Chicago and New York police were searching? Oh, it wasn't likely-it could not be likely. Why

t would persist. What if, after all, this w

eave the vehicle; and should he call the conductor to his aid, the man would in all probability be unw

. If only it were possible to alight from the bus without exciting attention, maybe he and McPhearson could get an of

ion would not only be surprised but would instantly voice aloud his con

was whizzing on down the avenue, and at

formed itsel

get out," he said sudde

wheeled on

s the

, I guess. Can y

u want to get o

zy. If I can

are you?" queried the Sc

I-gues

aker slipped an arm

mean. It's probably the lurching and bumping of this in

g notice, they found themselves in the stree

nterrogated McPh

ith me. The trouble is that the man opposite us

you s

s worth tipping off headquarte

s the street, Christopher. But h

to be too stunned to move at all. Sensing that explanation and argument wo

or before. Fortunately, too, he had a nickel in his pocket. Theref

reply came sing

gan, the insp

gone

his assis

s,

e. I want to

sha

ho. Get him

ne that carried a command, for almost im

s-Davis

pher Burton,

ir, I g

enth Street a bus numbered 1079 that's on its way down town

u bet I d

plaster or paint, and he had white hair, a white beard, a slouch hat, and a bag. It may not be

likely Davis hu

ough," declared t

ted, I imagine, and

stopher, however,

lice force of the city of New York loose on a poor old working man, solely because his hands happened to be white! It was audacious. A pretty kind of a fool he'd f

this, McPhearson, who loitered in the meantim

the trou

nly sure it

ou ran pell-mell in here to call the police. You ough

t go up to the man and ask him politely whether he was the bu

e question brought

ou might have proceeded with a grain less speed

was the crisp reply. Again an edge of s

o say soothingly. "No doubt the police chase about on a hundr

, though, if you give

, yo

McPhearson felt that in the present instance, at least, the tip offered

t back to the store," the clock repairer at lengt

they had already wasted two fares, Christopher, well

at he would have to confess to his father what he had so impulsively done, and receive from him more jeers and ridicule linked with probable admonitions to gr

when he went in and had evi

ropping his voice so that the thrilling tidings m

asped Chr

y're all upstairs waiting for you-Corrigan, Davis, and al

really wa

find those diamonds on him! At least, they'll probably be able to make him

fter all, Christophe

aren

ly receded. Why should he feel triumphant? Mistakes are always possible, and he

the clockmak

eplied the b

except as they went up in th

as well have two glass beads in their heads, so little do they really observe

never flattered. Perhaps, too, it was just as well, for Christ

s almost wrung his hand off. Even the silent Mr. Norcross announced he was a son to be proud of.

urth," announced he, as if every whit of responsibility for the boy's good judgm

ctor did not

n. "The young one used his brains, he did, and used 'em quick without thanks to his ancestor

n which even Mr. Burton, cha

father, Mr. Rhinehart, and Hollings rolled away to