l, a real stone. He determined to get
twenty dollars or carry the ring home.

"Five dollars won't do me any good," he said. "Give me back the ring."

"Five dollars is a good deal of money," said Eliakim.

"I'd rather have the ring."

"What is your lowest price?"

"Twenty dollars."

"I'll give you eight."

"Just now you said it was worth only three," said Paul, sharply.

"It is very fine gold. It is better than I thought. Here is the money."

"You're a little too fast," said Paul, coolly. "I haven't agreed to part
with the ring for eight dollars, and I don't mean to. Twenty dollars is
my lowest price."

"I'll give you ten," said the old man, whose eagerness increased with
Paul's indifference.

"No, you won't. Give me back the ring."

"I might give eleven, but I should lose money."

"I don't want you to lose money, and I've concluded to keep the ring,"
said Paul, rightly inferring from the old man's eagerness that the ring
was much more valuable than he had at first supposed.

But the old pawnbroker was fascinated by the sparkling bauble. He
could not make up his mind to give it up. By fair means or foul he must
possess it. He advanced his bid to twelve, fourteen, fifteen dollars,
but Paul shook his head resolutely. He had made up his mind to carry
it to Ball & Black's, or some other first-class jewelers, and ascertain
whether it was a real diamond or not, and if so to obtain an estimate of
its value.

"I've changed my mind," he said. "I'll keep the ring. Just give it back
to me."

CHAPTER XVI

THE JEWELER'S PRICE

But to give it back was not Eliakim's intention. Should he buy it at
twenty dollars, he would make at least two hundred, and such bargains
were not to be had every day. He decided to give Paul his price.

"I will give you twenty dollars," he said; "but it is more than the ring
is worth."

"I have concluded not to take twenty dollars," said Paul. "You may give
it back."

"You agreed to take twenty dollars," said Eliakim, angrily.

"That was when I first came in. You said you wouldn't give it."

"I have changed my mind."

"So have I," said Paul. "You had a chance to get it, but now it's too
late."

Eliakim was deeply disappointed. Generally he had his own way with his
customers, who, being in urgent need of money, were obliged to accept
such terms as he chose to offer. But now the tables were turned,
and Paul proved more than a match for him. He resolved to attempt
intimidat