"To buy a diamond ring, I suppose," said Barry, jocosely.
"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 jewelry."
"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 exclamation 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 pa.s.sed 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 motives 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 memorandum 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 strictly 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?"