chancing to look toward the door,
was startled by seeing the entrance of Paul Hoffman. He saw that it
would be dangerous to carry the negotiation any farther and he quickly
gave a secret signal to his wife.

The hint was instantly understood and acted upon.

Mrs. Montgomery uttered a slight cry, and clung to her husband's arm.

"My dear," she said, "I feel one of my attacks coming on. Take me out
quickly.

"My wife is suddenly taken sick," said Mr. Montgomery, hurriedly.

"She is subject to fits. If you will give me the ring, I will return
to-morrow and negotiate for its sale."

"I am very sorry," said the clerk, with sympathy, handing back the ring.
"Can I get anything for the lady?"

"No, thank you. The best thing to do is to get her into the open air.
Thank you for your kindness."

"Let me help you," said the clerk, and coming from behind the counter he
took one arm of Mrs. Montgomery, who, leaning heavily on her husband and
the clerk, walked, or rather was carried, to the street door.

Of course, the attention of all within the store was drawn to the party.

"What was the matter?" inquired a fellow-clerk, as the salesman
returned.

"It was a clergyman from Connecticut, who wished to sell a diamond ring,
given to him for charitable purposes. His wife was taken suddenly sick.
He will bring it back to-morrow."

"Was the ring a valuable one?"

"It must be worth in the neighborhood of three hundred dollars."

Paul listened to this explanation, and a sudden light flashed upon him,
as he heard the estimated value of the ring. There had been something
familiar in the appearance of the adventurer, though, on account of
his successful disguise and his being accompanied by a lady, he had
not before felt any suspicion as to his identity with the man who had
swindled him. Now he felt convinced that it was Mr. Felix Montgomery,
and that it was his own appearance which had led to the sudden sickness
and the precipitate departure.

"That trick won't work, Mr. Montgomery," he said to himself. "I've got
on your track sooner than I anticipated, and I mean to follow you up."

Reaching the sidewalk, he caught sight of Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery just
turning the corner of a side street. The pair supposed they were safe,
not thinking that our hero had recognized them, and the lady no longer
exhibited illness, and was walking briskly at her husband's side. Paul
hurried up and tapped the adventurer on the shoulder. Mr. Montg