“What shall I show you?” he inquired
“I didn't come to purchase,” said Mr. Montgomery, with suavity2, “but to sell. I suppose you purchase jewelry at times?”
“Sometimes,” said the clerk. “Let me see what you have.”
“First,” said the adventurer, “let me introduce myself. I am the Rev3. Mr. Barnes, of Hayfield Centre, Connecticut. You perhaps know the place?”
“I don't think I remember it,” said the clerk, respectfully.
“It is a small place,” said Mr. Montgomery, modestly, “but my tastes are plain and unobtrusive, and I do not aspire4 to a more conspicuous5 post. However, that is not to the purpose. A lady parishioner, desiring to donate a portion of her wealth to the poor, has placed in my hand a diamond ring, the proceeds to be devoted6 to charitable objects. I desire to sell it, and, knowing the high reputation of your firm feel safe in offering it to you. I know very little of the value of such things, since they are not in my line, but I am sure of fair treatment at your hands.”
“You may depend upon that,” said the clerk, favorably impressed with the appearance and manners of his customer. “Allow me to see the ring.”
The brilliant was handed over the counter.
“It is quite valuable,” said he, scrutinizing7 it closely.
“I am not authorized9 to purchase,” said the clerk, “but I will show it to one of the firm.”
Just at that moment, Mr. Montgomery, 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 negotiation10 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.
“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 precipitate12 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. Montgomery, turning, was annoyed on finding that he had not yet escaped. He determined13, 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 humble14 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.
“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 decided16 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 impudent17 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.
“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.”
“I don't see that any explanation is necessary,” said the lady. “However, since you wish it, I will say that the ring was handed you by Mrs. Benton, a wealthy lady of your parish, with instructions to sell it, and devote the proceeds to charitable purposes.”
“Is that explanation satisfactory?” asked Mr. Montgomery.
“No, it is not,” said Paul, resolutely20. “I don't believe one word of it. I recognize you in spite of your dress. You gave me chloroform this morning in a room in Lovejoy's Hotel, and when I was unconscious you made off with the ring which I expected to sell you. You had better return it, or I will call a policeman.”
“I am not the person you take me for,” said Felix Montgomery.
“You are the jeweler from Syracuse who swindled me out of my ring.”
“I never was a jeweler, and never lived in Syracuse,” said the adventurer, with entire truth.
“You may be right, but that is what you told me this morning.”
“I wish you would go away, and cease to annoy us,” said the lady, impatiently.
“I want my ring.”
“We have no ring of yours.”
“Show me the ring, and if it is not mine I will go away.”
“You are a very impudent fellow, upon my word,” said Mrs. Montgomery, sharply, “to accuse a gentleman like my husband of taking your ring. I don't believe you ever had one.”
“My dear,” interposed her husband, mildly, “I dare say my young friend here really thinks we have his ring. Of course it is a great mistake. Imagine what our friends in Hayfield Centre would think of such a charge! But you must remember that he is unacquainted with my standing21 in the community. In order to satisfy his mind, I am willing to let him see the ring.”
“To let him see the ring?” repeated the lady, in surprise.
“Yes. Here, my lad,” taking the ring from his pocket, “this is the ring. You will see at once that it is not yours.”
“I see that it is mine,” said Paul, taking the proffered22 ring, and preparing to go, astonished at his own good fortune in so easily recovering it.
“Not so fast!” exclaimed Mr. Montgomery, seizing him by the shoulder. “Help! Police!”
An officer had turned the corner just before, and it was this that had suggested the trap. He came up quickly, and, looking keenly from one to the other, inquired what was the matter.
“This boy has just purloined23 a ring from my wife,” said Mr. Montgomery. “Fortunately I caught him in the act.”
“Give up the ring, you young scoundrel!” said the officer, imposed upon by the clerical appearance of the adventurer.
“It is mine,” said Paul.
“None of your gammon! Give up the ring, and come with me.”
“It is not a diamond, only an imitation,” he said, “but my wife values it as the gift of a friend. Don't be too hard on the boy. He may not be so bad as he seems.”
“I'll attend to him,” said the policeman, emphatically. “I'll learn him to rob ladies of rings in the street. Come along, sir!”
Paul tried to explain matters, but no attention was paid to his protestations. To his anger and mortification25 he saw the swindler make off triumphantly26 with the ring, while he, the wronged owner, was arrested as a thief.
But at the station-house he had his revenge. He was able to prove to his captor that he had lodged27 information against Mr. Montgomery, and the policeman in turn was mortified28 to think how readily he had been imposed upon. Of course Paul was set free, but the officer's blundering interference seemed to render the recovery of the ring more doubtful than ever.
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1
jewelry
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| n.（jewllery）（总称）珠宝 | |
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suavity
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| n.温和；殷勤 | |
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rev
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| v.发动机旋转，加快速度 | |
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aspire
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| vi.(to，after)渴望，追求，有志于 | |
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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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scrutinizing
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| v.仔细检查，详审( scrutinize的现在分词 ) | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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authorized
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| a.委任的，许可的 | |
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negotiation
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| n.谈判，协商 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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precipitate
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| adj.突如其来的；vt.使突然发生；n.沉淀物 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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impudent
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| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
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parley
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| n.谈判 | |
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testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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purloined
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| v.偷窃( purloin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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profusion
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| n.挥霍；丰富 | |
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mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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mortified
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| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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