in amazement.

"Yes, the diamond is very large and pure."

"Two hundred and fifty dollars would be a great help to us."

"Yes, mother, that is what makes me feel so bad about being swindled out
of it."

"Tell me how it happened. Is there no chance of recovering it?"

"A little. I shall do what I can. I have already notified the police,
and Mr. Tiffany."

"You have not told me yet how you lost it."

When Paul had told the story, his mother asked, "Did you mention it in
the cars that you had offered it at Tiffany's?"

"Yes, and I mentioned his offer."

"Perhaps the thief would be cautious about going there, for that very
reason. He might think the ring would be recognized."

"He would go to a large place, thinking that so valuable a ring would be
more readily purchased there."

"He might go to Ball & Black's."

"That is true."

"It would be well to give notice there also."

"I will go up there at once. I only wish I could meet Mr. Felix
Montgomery; I don't think he would find it so easy to outreach me a
second time."

"Take some dinner first, Paul."

"Then I must hurry it down, mother; I don't want to run the risk
of getting too late to Ball & Black's. I can't help thinking what a
splendid thing it would be if we had the two hundred and fifty dollars.
I would buy out Barry's stand, and I would get a sewing-machine for you,
and we could live much more comfortably. It makes me mad to think I let
that villain take me in so! He must think me jolly green."

"Anybody might have been deceived, Paul. You mustn't blame yourself too
much for that."

Leaving Paul on his way to Ball & Black's, we return to Mr. Felix
Montgomery, as we shall continue to call him, though he had no right to
the name. After stupefying Paul, as already described, he made his way
downstairs, and, leaving his key at the desk, went out.

"I hope my young friend will enjoy himself upstairs," he chuckled to
himself. "He's quite welcome to the use of the room till to-morrow
morning. It's paid for in advance, and I don't think I shall find it
convenient to stop there."

He took the ring from his vest pocket and glanced at it furtively.

"It's a beauty," he murmured, complacently. "I never saw a handsomer
ring of the size. What was it the boy said he was offered for it? Two
hundred and fifty dollars! That'll give me a lift, and it doesn't come
any too soon. My money is pretty low."

He walked across the City Hall Park, and at Barclay