omery,
turning, was annoyed on finding that he had not yet escaped. He
determined, however, to stick to his false character, and deny all
knowledge of the morning's transaction.

"Well, my young friend," he said, "do you want me? I believe I have not
the pleasure of your acquaintance."

"You are mistaken there, Mr. Felix Montgomery," said Paul,
significantly.

"By what name did you address me?" said the swindler, assuming a tone of
surprise.

"I addressed you as Mr. Felix Montgomery."

"You have made a mistake, my good friend. I am an humble clergyman from
Connecticut. I am called the Rev. Mr. Barnes. Should you ever visit
Hayfield Centre, I shall be glad to receive a call from you."

"When I last met you, you were a jeweler from Syracuse," said Paul,
bluntly.

Mr. Montgomery laughed heartily.

"My dear," he said, turning to his wife, "is not this an excellent
joke? My young friend here thinks he recognizes in me a jeweler from
Syracuse."

"Indeed, you are quite mistaken," said the lady. "My husband is a
country minister. We came up to the city this morning on a little
business."

"I understand on what business," said Paul. "You wanted to dispose of a
diamond ring."

Mr. Montgomery was disposed to deny the charge, but a moment's
reflection convinced him that it would be useless, as Paul had doubtless
been informed in Ball & Black's of his business there. He decided to put
on a bold front and admit it.

"I suppose you were in Ball & Black's just now," he said.

"I was."

"And so learned my business there? But I am at a loss to understand why
you should be interested in the matter."

"That ring is mine," said Paul. "You swindled me out of it this
morning."

"My young friend, you must certainly be insane," said Mr. Montgomery,
shrugging his shoulders. "My dear, did you hear that?"

"He is an impudent boy," said the lady. "I am surprised that you should
be willing to talk to him."

"If you leave here I will put a policeman on your track," said Paul.

He looked so determined that Mr. Montgomery found that he must parley.

"You are under a strange hallucination, my young friend," he said.
"If you will walk along with me, I think I can convince you of your
mistake."

"There is no mistake about the matter," said Paul, walking on with them.
"The ring is mine, and I must have it."

"My dear, will you explain about the ring? He may credit your
testimony."

"I don't see that any explanation is nece