"What makes you say we?" asked Sam, uneasily. "You don't expect any of the reward, do you?"

 

"I only expect you to pay me back what you owe me, Sam. The ring was found by you, and you are entitled to the reward."

 

Sam looked relieved.

 

"Of course I'll pay you all I owe you, as soon as I get the twenty-five dollars," he said.

 

"Have you got the advertisement? Can you tell the name and number of the advertiser?"

 

"Yes, his name is John Chester, and his office is at No. 49 Wall Street."

 

"Good. We must go down directly, or he will be gone."

 

The boys hurried to the office, which was on the third floor of the building. A young man, of eighteen or nineteen, was in sole possession. It may be remarked, by the way, that Mr. Chester was a lawyer, and this young man had just entered the office as student.

 

"That can't be Mr. Chester," said Henry, in a low voice, as the young man turned upon their entrance, and fixed¹ his eyes inquiringly upon them.

 

"I'll ask," said Sam.

 

"Are you Mr. Chester?" he inquired.

 

The youth looked flattered at being mistaken for his employer.

 

"Mr. Chester has gone home," he answered, consequentially²; "but, perhaps, I can do well. Do you come on business?"

 

"Yes," said Sam.

 

"Ahem! law business, I suppose," said the lawyer's assistant, looking wise. "State your case, and I may be able to assist you. Is it a case of trespass³, or do you wish to obtain a habeas corpus, or a caveat⁴, or a nisi prius?"

 

"What a lot he knows!" thought Sam, respectfully. "I don't want none of those things."

 

"Perhaps you want to obtain a divorce," said the budding barrister, in a jocular tone. "I am afraid we can't manage that for you."

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