Philip met their scrutiny without flinching. He leaned against the wall with his hands in his pockets, one fist clinched over the pouchful of gold, the other guarding a diamond bigger than the Koh-i-Noor. "I am sorry I have only one chair, gentlemen," he said, apologetically. "That's all right, my lad," said the inspector. "The constable here tells me that you very pluckily helped him to capture a notorious burglar. The man was hiding in this mews, and it seems you first saw him looking in through your window. What were you doing at the time?" "Packing my portmanteau." "Oh, packing your portmanteau." "Yes. That is it." He stooped and nonchalantly threw it open. His clothes and boots, and some of the other contents, were exposed to view. The inspector laughed. "Not many diamonds there, Bradley." "No, sir. I told you Mason was talking rubbish." "Did he say any more about me being the boy who found the meteor?" asked Philip, with a first-rate attempt at a grin. "Wouldn't talk of anything else," volunteered P. C. Bradley. "Judging by the way he dropped when I hit him, I expect he saw stars," said Philip. "Are you leaving here?" asked the inspector. "Yes, I must. The company which owns these premises intends to pull them down on the first of next month." "What is your name?" "Anson." "Ah! I think I remember hearing something about your mother's death. Very nice woman, I was told. A lady, too." "Yes, all that, and more." "Of course, that accounts for your manners and appearance. Have you found some friends?" The inspector's glance roved from the serviceable portmanteau to Philip's tidy garments, and it was his business to make rapid deductions. "Yes, most fortunately." "Anybody connected with Sharpe & Smith?" the constable put in. "Sharpe & Smith! Who are they?" "Don't you know? Their young man certainly didn't seem to know much about your movements. He has been here twice looking for you. The first time was, let me see, last Monday, about four o'clock. I was on duty in the main road, and he asked me for some information. We came and looked in, but your door was locked. The man on this beat this afternoon told me that the same clerk was making further inquiries to-day, so as soon as I came on night duty I strolled into the mews to find out if you were at home. That is how I happened to see you." He turned toward the inspector. "He was packing his bag at the moment, sir, and Mason had evidently been scared from the window by my footsteps in the arch." The inspector pursed out his under lip. "The whole thing is perfectly clear," he said. "Boy, have you got a watch?" "No," said Philip, surprised by this odd question. "Bradley, he hasn't got a watch," observed the inspector. He again addressed Philip. "Where are you going to-morrow?" "I am not quite sure, but my address will be known to Mrs. Wrigley, the James Street Laundry, Shepherd's Bush."