Part 29 (2/2)
”Do you remember my offering you a diamond ring for sale this morning?”
he asked.
”Yes, I remember it very well. Have you got it with you?”
”No, it has been stolen from me.”
”Indeed! How was that?” asked the clerk, with interest.
”I met in the cars a well-dressed man, who called himself a jeweler from Syracuse. He examined the ring, and offered me more than Mr. Tiffany, but asked me to bring it to him at Lovejoy's Hotel. When I got there, he drugged me with chloroform, and when I recovered he was gone.”
”You have been unlucky. There are plenty of such swindlers about. You should have been careful about displaying the ring before strangers.”
”I was showing it to a friend.”
”Have you notified the police?”
”Not yet. I came here to let you know, because I thought the thief might bring it in here to sell.”
”Very likely. Give me a description of him.”
Paul described Mr. Felix Montgomery to the best of his ability.
”I think I should know him from your description. I will speak to Mr.
Tiffany, and he will no doubt give orders to detain any person who may offer the ring for sale.”
”Thank you.”
”If you will give me your address, we will notify you in case the ring is brought in.”
Paul left his address, and went out of the store, feeling that he had taken one step toward the recovery of his treasure. He next visited the police headquarters, and left a detailed description of the man who had relieved him of the ring and of the circ.u.mstances attending the robbery.
Then he went home.
His mother looked up as he entered.
”Well, Paul?” she said, inquiringly.
”I've got bad news, mother,” he said.
”What is it? Tell me quick!” she said, nervously.
”The ring has been stolen from me.”
”How did it happen, Paul?”
”First, I must tell you how much the ring is worth. I went up to Tiffany's, and showed the ring to Mr. Tiffany himself. He told me that he would give me two hundred and fifty dollars for it, if I would satisfy him that I had a right to sell it.”
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