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CHAPTER XVII MR. FELIX MONTGOMERY
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 Paul had an errand farther uptown, and, on leaving Tiffany's walked up as far as Twenty-third street. Feeling rather tired, he got on board a University place car to return. They had accomplished1, perhaps, half the distance, when, to his surprise, George Barry entered the car.
“How do you happen to be here, at this time, Barry?” he asked. “I thought you were attending to business.”
“I closed up for a couple of hours, having an errand at home. Where have you been?”
“To Tiffany's.”
“What, the jewelers?”
“Yes.”
“To buy a diamond ring, I suppose,” said Barry, jocosely2.
“No—not to buy, but to sell one.”
“You are joking,” said his companion, incredulously.
“No, I am not. The ring belongs to my mother. I am trying to raise money enough on it to buy you out.”
“I didn't know your mother was rich enough to indulge in such expensive jewelry3.”
“She isn't, and that's the reason I am trying to sell it.”
“I mean, I didn't think she was ever rich enough.”
“I'll explain it,” said Paul. “The ring was found some time since in Central Park. As no owner has ever appeared, though we advertised it, we consider that it belongs to us.”
“How much is it worth?”
“Mr. Tiffany offered two hundred and fifty dollars for it.”
Barry uttered an exclamation4 of surprise.
“Well, that is what I call luck. Of course, you accepted it.”
“I intend to do so; but I must bring some gentleman who will guarantee that I am all right and have the right to sell it.”
“Can you do that?”
“I think so! I am going to ask Mr. Preston. I think he will do me that favor.”
“Then there's a fair chance of your buying me out.”
“Yes. I guess I can settle the whole thing up to-morrow.”
“Have you got the ring with you?”
“Yes.”
“I should like to see it, if you have no objection.”
Paul drew it from his pocket, and passed it over to Barry.
“It's a handsome one, but who would think such a little thing could be worth two hundred and fifty dollars?”
“I'd rather have the money than the ring.”
“So would I.”
On the right of Paul sat a man of about forty, well-dressed and respectable in appearance, with a heavy gold chain ostentatiously depending from his watch pocket, and with the air of a substantial citizen. He listened to the conversation between Barry and Paul with evident interest, and when Barry had returned the ring, he said:
“Young gentleman, would you be kind enough to let me look at your ring? I am myself in business as a jeweler in Syracuse, and so feel an interest in examining it.”
“Certainly, sir,” said Paul, the stranger's explanation of his motives5 inspiring him with perfect confidence.
The jeweler from Syracuse took the ring in his hands and appeared to examine it carefully.
“This is a handsome ring,” he said, “and one of great value. How much were you offered for it at Tiffany's?”
“Two hundred and fifty dollars.”
“It is worth more.”
“Yes, I suppose so,” said Paul; “but he has to sell it, and make a profit.”
“He could do that, and yet make a profit. I will pay you two hundred and seventy-five dollars, myself—that is, on one condition.”
“I don't object to getting twenty-five dollars more,” said Paul. “What is the condition?”
“I have an order from a gentleman for a diamond ring for a young lady—an engagement ring, in short. If this suits him, as I think it will, I will pay you what I said. I can easily get three hundred and twenty-five from him.”
“How are you going to find out whether it will suit him?”
“Easily. He is stopping at the same hotel with me.”
“What hotel is that?”
“Lovejoy's. If you can spare the time and will come with me now, we can arrange matters at once. By the way, you can refer me to some responsible citizen, who will guarantee you. Not, of course, that I have any doubts, but we business men are forced to be cautious.”
Paul mentioned Mr. Preston's name.
“Quite satisfactory,” answered the jeweler. “I know Mr. Preston personally, and as I am pressed for time, I will accept his name without calling upon him. What is your name?”
“Paul Hoffman.”
“I will note it down.”
The gentleman from Syracuse drew out a memorandum6 book, in which he entered Paul's name.
“When you see Mr. Preston, just mention my name; Felix Montgomery.”
“I will do so.”
“Say, if you please, that I would have called upon him, but, coming to the city strictly7 on business, was too hurried to do so.”
This also Paul promised, and counted himself fortunate in falling in with a friend, or, at all events, acquaintance of Mr. Preston, since he was likely to make twenty-five dollars more than he would otherwise have done.
When he got out of the car at the Astor House, the stranger said:
“It will be half an hour before I can reach Lovejoy's, as I have a business call to make first. Can you call there, say, in three-quarters of an hour?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Very well, then, I will expect you. Inquire for me at the desk, and ask the servant to conduct you to my room—you remember my name?”
“Yes, sir—Mr. Felix Montgomery.”
“Quite right. Good-by, then, till we meet.”
Mr. Felix Montgomery went into the Astor House, and remained about five minutes. He then came out on the steps, and, looking about him to see if Paul was anywhere near, descended8 the steps, and walked across to Lovejoy's Hotel. Going up to the desk, he inquired:
“Can you accommodate me with a room?”
“Yes, sir; please enter your name.”
The stranger entered his name with a flourish, as Felix Montgomery, Syracuse.
“Room No. 237,” said the clerk; “will you go up now?”
“Yes, I think so.”
“Any luggage?”
“My trunk will be brought from the St. Nicholas in the course of the afternoon.”
“We require payment in advance where there is no luggage.”
“Very well. I will pay for one day. I am not sure but I shall get through my business in time to go away to-morrow.”
Here the servant appeared to conduct Mr. Montgomery to his room.
“By the way,” he said, turning back, as if it were an afterthought, “I directed a boy to call here for me in about half an hour. When he comes you may send him up to my room.”
“Very well, sir.”
Mr. Montgomery followed the servant upstairs to room No. 237. It was rather high up, but he seemed well pleased that this was the case.
“Hope you won't get tired of climbing, sir,” said the servant.
“No—I've got pretty good wind.”
“Most gentlemen complain of going up so far.”
“It makes little difference to me.”
At length they reached the room, and Mr. Montgomery entered.
“This will answer very well,” he said, with a hasty glance about him. “When my trunk comes, I want it sent up.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I believe that is all; you can go.”
The servant retired9 and Mr. Felix Montgomery sat down upon the bed.
“My little plot seems likely to succeed,” he said to himself. “I've been out of luck lately, but this boy's ring will give me a lift. He can't suspect anything. He'll be sure to come.”
Probably the reader has already suspected that Mr. Felix Montgomery was not a jeweler from Syracuse, nor had he any claim to the name under which he at present figured. He was a noted10 confidence man, who lived by preying11 upon the community. His appearance was in his favor, and it was his practice to assume the dress and air of a respectable middle-aged12 citizen, as in the present instance. The sight of the diamond ring had excited his cupidity13, and he had instantly formed the design of getting possession of it, if possible. Thus far, his plan promised success.
Meanwhile, Paul loitered away the time in the City Hall Park for half an hour or more. He did not care to go home until his negotiation14 was complete, and he could report the ring sold, and carry home the money.
“Won't mother be astonished,” he thought, “at the price I got for the ring? I'm in luck this morning.”
When the stipulated15 time had passed, Paul rose from the bench on which he was seated, and walked to Lovejoy's Hotel, not far distant.
“Has Mr. Felix Montgomery a room here?” he asked.
“Yes,” answered the clerk. “Did you wish to see him?”
“Yes, sir.”
“He mentioned that a boy would call by appointment. Here, James, show this boy up to No. 237—Mr. Montgomery's room.”
A hotel servant appeared, and Paul followed him up several flights of stairs till they stood before No. 237.
“This is the room, sir,” said James. “Wait a minute, and I'll knock.”
In answer to the knock, Mr. Montgomery himself opened the door.
“Come in,” he said to Paul; “I was expecting you.”
So Paul, not suspecting treachery, entered No. 237.

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 accomplished UzwztZ     
adj.有才艺的;有造诣的;达到了的
参考例句:
  • Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
  • Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。
2 jocosely f12305aecabe03a8de7b63fb58d6d8b3     
adv.说玩笑地,诙谐地
参考例句:
3 jewelry 0auz1     
n.(jewllery)(总称)珠宝
参考例句:
  • The burglars walked off with all my jewelry.夜盗偷走了我的全部珠宝。
  • Jewelry and lace are mostly feminine belongings.珠宝和花边多数是女性用品。
4 exclamation onBxZ     
n.感叹号,惊呼,惊叹词
参考例句:
  • He could not restrain an exclamation of approval.他禁不住喝一声采。
  • The author used three exclamation marks at the end of the last sentence to wake up the readers.作者在文章的最后一句连用了三个惊叹号,以引起读者的注意。
5 motives 6c25d038886898b20441190abe240957     
n.动机,目的( motive的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • to impeach sb's motives 怀疑某人的动机
  • His motives are unclear. 他的用意不明。
6 memorandum aCvx4     
n.备忘录,便笺
参考例句:
  • The memorandum was dated 23 August,2008.备忘录上注明的日期是2008年8月23日。
  • The Secretary notes down the date of the meeting in her memorandum book.秘书把会议日期都写在记事本上。
7 strictly GtNwe     
adv.严厉地,严格地;严密地
参考例句:
  • His doctor is dieting him strictly.他的医生严格规定他的饮食。
  • The guests were seated strictly in order of precedence.客人严格按照地位高低就座。
8 descended guQzoy     
a.为...后裔的,出身于...的
参考例句:
  • A mood of melancholy descended on us. 一种悲伤的情绪袭上我们的心头。
  • The path descended the hill in a series of zigzags. 小路呈连续的之字形顺着山坡蜿蜒而下。
9 retired Njhzyv     
adj.隐退的,退休的,退役的
参考例句:
  • The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
  • Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。
10 noted 5n4zXc     
adj.著名的,知名的
参考例句:
  • The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
  • Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。
11 preying 683b2a905f132328be40e96922821a3d     
v.掠食( prey的现在分词 );掠食;折磨;(人)靠欺诈为生
参考例句:
  • This problem has been preying on my mind all day. 这个问题让我伤了整整一天脑筋。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • For a while he let his eyes idly follow the preying bird. 他自己的眼睛随着寻食的鸟毫无目的地看了一会儿。 来自辞典例句
12 middle-aged UopzSS     
adj.中年的
参考例句:
  • I noticed two middle-aged passengers.我注意到两个中年乘客。
  • The new skin balm was welcome by middle-aged women.这种新护肤香膏受到了中年妇女的欢迎。
13 cupidity cyUxm     
n.贪心,贪财
参考例句:
  • Her cupidity is well known.她的贪婪尽人皆知。
  • His eyes gave him away,shining with cupidity.他的眼里闪着贪婪的光芒,使他暴露无遗。
14 negotiation FGWxc     
n.谈判,协商
参考例句:
  • They closed the deal in sugar after a week of negotiation.经过一星期的谈判,他们的食糖生意成交了。
  • The negotiation dragged on until July.谈判一直拖到7月份。
15 stipulated 5203a115be4ee8baf068f04729d1e207     
vt.& vi.规定;约定adj.[法]合同规定的
参考例句:
  • A delivery date is stipulated in the contract. 合同中规定了交货日期。
  • Yes, I think that's what we stipulated. 对呀,我想那是我们所订定的。 来自辞典例句


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