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CHAPTER XXIV MR. MONTGOMERY'S ARREST
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 Having shaken off his country acquaintance, of whom he had no further need, Mr. Montgomery started to return to his lodgings1. On the whole, he was in good spirits, though he had not effected the sale of the ring. But it was still in his possession, and it had a tangible2 value.
“I am sorry you did not sell the ring,” said Mrs. Montgomery.
“So am I,” said her husband. “We may have to sell it in some other city.”
“We can't leave the city without money.”
“That's true,” returned her husband, rather taken aback by what was undeniably true.
“We must sell the ring, or raise money on it, in New York.”
“I don't know but you are right. The trouble is, there are not many places where they will buy so expensive an article. Besides, they will be apt to ask impertinent questions.”
“You might go to a pawnbroker3's.”
“And get fleeced. If I got a quarter of the value from a pawnbroker, I should be lucky.”
“We must do something with it,” said Mrs. Montgomery, decidedly.
“Right, my dear. We must get the sinews of war somewhere. Richard will never be himself again till his pocketbook is lined with greenbacks. At present, who steals my purse steals trash.”
“Suppose you try Tiffany's?”
“The ring has already been offered there. They might remember it.”
“If they do, say that he is your son.”
“A good thought,” answered the husband. “I will act upon it. But, on the whole, I'll doff4 this disguise, and assume my ordinary garments. This time, my dear, I shall not need your assistance.”
“Well, the sooner it's done the better. That's all I have to say.”
“As soon as possible.”
Mr. Montgomery returned to his lodgings in Amity5 street, and, taking off his clerical garb6, appeared in the garb in which we first made his acquaintance. The change was very speedily effected.
“Wish me good luck, Mrs. M.,” he said, as he opened the door. “I am going to make another attempt.”
“Good luck to you, Tony! Come back soon.”
“As soon as my business is completed. If I get the money, we will leave for Philadelphia this evening. You may as well be packing up.”
“I am afraid the landlady7 won't let us carry away our baggage unless we pay our bill.”
“Never mind! Pack it up, and we'll run our chance.”
Felix Montgomery left the house with the ring carefully deposited in his vest pocket. To judge from his air of easy indifference8, he might readily have been taken for a substantial citizen in excellent circumstances; but then appearances are oftentimes deceitful, and they were especially so in the present instance.
He made his way quickly to Broadway, and thence to Tiffany's, at that time not so far uptown as at present. He entered the store with a nonchalant air, and, advancing to the counter, accosted9 the same clerk to whom Paul had shown the ring earlier in the day.
“I have a valuable ring which I would like to sell,” he said. “Will you tell me its value?”
The clerk no sooner took it in his hand than he recognized it.
“I have seen that ring before,” he said, looking at Mr. Montgomery keenly.
“Yes,” said the latter, composedly; “this morning, wasn't it?”
“Yes.”
“My boy brought it in here. I ought not to have sent him, for he came very near losing it on the way home. I thought it best to come with it myself.”
This was said so quietly that it was hard to doubt the statement, or would have been if information had not been brought to the store that the ring had been stolen.
“Yes, boys are careless,” assented10 the clerk, not caring to arouse Mr. Montgomery's suspicions. “You wish to sell the ring, I suppose.”
“Yes,” answered the other; “I don't like to carry a ring of so great value. Several times I have come near having it stolen. Will you buy it?”
“I am not authorized11 to make the purchase,” said the clerk. “I will refer the matter to Mr. Tiffany.”
“Very well,” said Mr. Montgomery. “I am willing to accept whatever he may pronounce a fair price.”
“No doubt,” thought the clerk.
He carried the ring to his employer, and quickly explained the circumstances.
“The man is doubtless a thief. He must be arrested,” said the jeweler.
“If I go for an officer, he will take alarm.”
“Invite him to come into the back part of the shop, and I will protract12 the negotiation13 while you summon a policeman.”
The clerk returned, and at his invitation Mr. Montgomery walked to the lower end of the store, where he was introduced to the head of the establishment. Sharp though he was, he suspected no plot.
“You are the owner of this ring?” asked Mr. Tiffany.
“Yes, sir,” said the adventurer. “It has been in our family for a long time.”
“But you wish to sell it now?”
“Yes; I have come near losing it several times, and prefer to dispose of it. What is its value?”
“That requires some consideration. I will examine it closely.”
Mr. Montgomery stood with his back to the entrance, waiting patiently, while the jeweler appeared to be engaged in a close examination of the ring. He congratulated himself that no questions had been asked which it might have been difficult for him to answer. He made up his mind that after due examination Mr. Tiffany would make an offer, which he determined14 in advance to accept, whatever it might be, since he would consider himself fortunate to dispose of it at even two-thirds of its value.
Meanwhile the clerk quietly slipped out of the store, and at a short distance encountered a policeman, upon whom he called for assistance. At the same moment Paul and Mr. Preston came up. Our hero, on being released from arrest, had sought Mr. Preston, and the latter obligingly agreed to go with him to Tiffany's, and certify15 to his honesty, that, if the ring should be brought there, it might be retained for him. Paul did not recognize the clerk, but the latter at once remembered him.
“Are you not the boy that brought a diamond ring into our store this morning?” he asked.
“Into Tiffany's?”
“Yes.”
“Have you seen anything of it?” asked our hero, eagerly. “I am the one who brought it in.”
“A man just brought it into the store,” said the clerk.
“Is he there now?”
“He is talking with Mr. Tiffany. I came out for a policeman. He will be arrested at once.”
“Good!” ejaculated Paul; “I am in luck. I thought I should never see the ring again. What sort of a man is he?”
From the description, Paul judged that it was Felix Montgomery himself, and, remembering what a trick the adventurer had played upon him at Lovejoy's Hotel, he felt no little satisfaction in the thought that the trapper was himself trapped at last.
“I'll go along with you,” he said. “I want to see that man arrested.”
“You had better stay outside just at first, until we have secured him.”
Meanwhile Mr. Tiffany, after a prolonged examination, said: “The ring is worth two hundred and fifty dollars.”
“That will be satisfactory,” said Mr. Montgomery, promptly16.
“Shall I give you a check for the amount?” asked the jeweler.
“I should prefer the money, as I am a stranger in the city, and not known at the banks.”
“I can make the check payable17 to bearer, and then you will have no difficulty in getting it cashed.”
While this conversation was going on, the clerk entered the store with the policeman, but Mr. Montgomery's back was turned, and he was not aware of the fact till the officer tapped him on the shoulder, saying: “You are my prisoner.”
“What does this mean? There is some mistake,” said the adventurer, wheeling round with a start.
“No mistake at all. You must come with me.”
“What have I done? You take me for some one else.”
“You have stolen a diamond ring.”
“Who says so?” demanded the adventurer, boldly. “It is true I brought one here to sell, but it has belonged to me for years.”
“You are mistaken, Mr. Montgomery,” said Paul, who had come up unperceived. “You stole that ring from me this morning, after dosing me with chloroform at Lovejoy's Hotel.”
“It is a lie,” said the adventurer, boldly. “That boy is my son. He is in league with his mother to rob me. She sent him here this morning unknown to me. Finding it out, I took the ring from him, and brought it here myself.”
Paul was certainly surprised at being claimed as a son by the man who had swindled him, and answered: “I never saw you before this morning. I have no father living.”
“I will guarantee this boy's truth and honesty,” said Mr. Preston, speaking for the first time. “I believe you know me, Mr. Tiffany.”
“I need no other assurance,” said the jeweler, bowing. “Officer, you may remove your prisoner.”
“The game is up,” said the adventurer, finding no further chance for deception18. “I played for high stakes, and I have lost the game. I have one favor to ask. Will some one let my wife know where I am?”
“Give me her address,” said Paul, “and I will let her know.”
“No. —— Amity street. Ask her to come to the station-house to see me.”
“I will go at once.”
“Thank you,” said Mr. Montgomery; “as I am not to have the ring, I don't know that I am sorry it has fallen into your hands. One piece of advice I will venture to offer you, my lad,” he added, smiling. “Beware of any jewelers hailing from Syracuse. They will cheat you, if you give them a chance.”
“I will be on my guard,” said Paul. “Can I do anything more for you?”
“Nothing, thank you. I have a fast friend at my side, who will look after me.”
The officer smiled grimly at the jest, and the two left the store arm in arm.
“Do you still wish to sell this ring?” asked Mr. Tiffany, addressing Paul.
“Yes, sir.”
“I renew my offer of this morning. I will give you two hundred and fifty dollars.”
“I shall be glad to accept it.”
The sale was quickly effected, and Paul left the store with what seemed to him a fortune in his pocket.
“Be careful not to lose your money,” said Mr Preston.
“I should like to place a hundred and fifty dollars in your hands,” said Paul, turning to Mr. Preston.
“I will willingly take care of it for you, and allow you interest upon it.”
The transfer was made, and, carefully depositing the balance of the money in his pocketbook, our hero took leave of his friend and sought the house in Amity street.

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1 lodgings f12f6c99e9a4f01e5e08b1197f095e6e     
n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍
参考例句:
  • When he reached his lodgings the sun had set. 他到达公寓房间时,太阳已下山了。
  • I'm on the hunt for lodgings. 我正在寻找住所。
2 tangible 4IHzo     
adj.有形的,可触摸的,确凿的,实际的
参考例句:
  • The policy has not yet brought any tangible benefits.这项政策还没有带来任何实质性的好处。
  • There is no tangible proof.没有确凿的证据。
3 pawnbroker SiAys     
n.典当商,当铺老板
参考例句:
  • He redeemed his watch from the pawnbroker's.他从当铺赎回手表。
  • She could get fifty dollars for those if she went to the pawnbroker's.要是她去当铺当了这些东西,她是可以筹出50块钱的。
4 doff gkAzs     
v.脱,丢弃,废除
参考例句:
  • The peasants doff their hats.农民脱下了他们的帽子。
  • When he received me informally,he doffed the uniform of state and always wore a long chinese coat.当他非正式接见我的时候,他不穿礼服而总是穿中国长袍。
5 amity lwqzz     
n.友好关系
参考例句:
  • He lives in amity with his neighbours.他和他的邻居相处得很和睦。
  • They parted in amity.他们很友好地分别了。
6 garb JhYxN     
n.服装,装束
参考例句:
  • He wore the garb of a general.他身着将军的制服。
  • Certain political,social,and legal forms reappear in seemingly different garb.一些政治、社会和法律的形式在表面不同的外衣下重复出现。
7 landlady t2ZxE     
n.女房东,女地主
参考例句:
  • I heard my landlady creeping stealthily up to my door.我听到我的女房东偷偷地来到我的门前。
  • The landlady came over to serve me.女店主过来接待我。
8 indifference k8DxO     
n.不感兴趣,不关心,冷淡,不在乎
参考例句:
  • I was disappointed by his indifference more than somewhat.他的漠不关心使我很失望。
  • He feigned indifference to criticism of his work.他假装毫不在意别人批评他的作品。
9 accosted 4ebfcbae6e0701af7bf7522dbf7f39bb     
v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 );跟…搭讪;(乞丐等)上前向…乞讨;(妓女等)勾搭
参考例句:
  • She was accosted in the street by a complete stranger. 在街上,一个完全陌生的人贸然走到她跟前搭讪。
  • His benevolent nature prevented him from refusing any beggar who accosted him. 他乐善好施的本性使他不会拒绝走上前向他行乞的任何一个乞丐。 来自《简明英汉词典》
10 assented 4cee1313bb256a1f69bcc83867e78727     
同意,赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The judge assented to allow the prisoner to speak. 法官同意允许犯人申辩。
  • "No," assented Tom, "they don't kill the women -- they're too noble. “对,”汤姆表示赞同地说,“他们不杀女人——真伟大!
11 authorized jyLzgx     
a.委任的,许可的
参考例句:
  • An administrative order is valid if authorized by a statute.如果一个行政命令得到一个法规的认可那么这个命令就是有效的。
12 protract NtQyj     
v.延长,拖长
参考例句:
  • The inspector informed us that he was to protract his stay for some days.督察通知我们他将在此多呆几天。
  • Let's not protract the debate any further.我们不要再继续争论下去了。
13 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。
14 determined duszmP     
adj.坚定的;有决心的
参考例句:
  • I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
  • He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。
15 certify tOozp     
vt.证明,证实;发证书(或执照)给
参考例句:
  • I can certify to his good character.我可以证明他品德好。
  • This swimming certificate is to certify that I can swim one hundred meters.这张游泳证是用以证明我可以游100米远。
16 promptly LRMxm     
adv.及时地,敏捷地
参考例句:
  • He paid the money back promptly.他立即还了钱。
  • She promptly seized the opportunity his absence gave her.她立即抓住了因他不在场给她创造的机会。
17 payable EmdzUR     
adj.可付的,应付的,有利益的
参考例句:
  • This check is payable on demand.这是一张见票即付的支票。
  • No tax is payable on these earnings.这些收入不须交税。
18 deception vnWzO     
n.欺骗,欺诈;骗局,诡计
参考例句:
  • He admitted conspiring to obtain property by deception.他承认曾与人合谋骗取财产。
  • He was jailed for two years for fraud and deception.他因为诈骗和欺诈入狱服刑两年。


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