"Yes, sir."
"Very well, then, I will expect you. Inquire for me at the desk, and ask the servant to conduct you to my room--you remember my name?"
"Yes, sir--Mr. Felix Montgomery."
"Quite right. Good-by, then, till we meet."
Mr. Felix Montgomery went into the Astor House, and remained about five minutes. He then came out on the steps, and, looking about him to see if Paul was anywhere near, descended the steps, and walked across to Lovejoy"s Hotel. Going up to the desk, he inquired:
"Can you accommodate me with a room?"
"Yes, sir; please enter your name."
The stranger entered his name with a flourish, as Felix Montgomery, Syracuse.
"Room No. 237," said the clerk; "will you go up now?"
"Yes, I think so."
"Any luggage?"
"My trunk will be brought from the St. Nicholas in the course of the afternoon."
"We require payment in advance where there is no luggage."
"Very well. I will pay for one day. I am not sure but I shall get through my business in time to go away to-morrow."
Here the servant appeared to conduct Mr. Montgomery to his room.
"By the way," he said, turning back, as if it were an afterthought, "I directed a boy to call here for me in about half an hour. When he comes you may send him up to my room."
"Very well, sir."
Mr. Montgomery followed the servant upstairs to room No. 237. It was rather high up, but he seemed well pleased that this was the case.
"Hope you won"t get tired of climbing, sir," said the servant.
"No--I"ve got pretty good wind."
"Most gentlemen complain of going up so far."
"It makes little difference to me."
At length they reached the room, and Mr. Montgomery entered.
"This will answer very well," he said, with a hasty glance about him.
"When my trunk comes, I want it sent up."
"Yes, sir."
"I believe that is all; you can go."
The servant retired and Mr. Felix Montgomery sat down upon the bed.
"My little plot seems likely to succeed," he said to himself. "I"ve been out of luck lately, but this boy"s ring will give me a lift. He can"t suspect anything. He"ll be sure to come."
Probably the reader has already suspected that Mr. Felix Montgomery was not a jeweler from Syracuse, nor had he any claim to the name under which he at present figured. He was a noted confidence man, who lived by preying upon the community. His appearance was in his favor, and it was his practice to a.s.sume the dress and air of a respectable middle-aged citizen, as in the present instance. The sight of the diamond ring had excited his cupidity, and he had instantly formed the design of getting possession of it, if possible. Thus far, his plan promised success.
Meanwhile, Paul loitered away the time in the City Hall Park for half an hour or more. He did not care to go home until his negotiation was complete, and he could report the ring sold, and carry home the money.
"Won"t mother be astonished," he thought, "at the price I got for the ring? I"m in luck this morning."
When the stipulated time had pa.s.sed, Paul rose from the bench on which he was seated, and walked to Lovejoy"s Hotel, not far distant.
"Has Mr. Felix Montgomery a room here?" he asked.
"Yes," answered the clerk. "Did you wish to see him?"
"Yes, sir."
"He mentioned that a boy would call by appointment. Here, James, show this boy up to No. 237--Mr. Montgomery"s room."
A hotel servant appeared, and Paul followed him up several flights of stairs till they stood before No. 237.
"This is the room, sir," said James. "Wait a minute, and I"ll knock."
In answer to the knock, Mr. Montgomery himself opened the door.
"Come in," he said to Paul; "I was expecting you."
So Paul, not suspecting treachery, entered No. 237.
CHAPTER XVIII
A CLEVER THIEF
"Take a seat," said Mr. Montgomery. "My friend will be in directly.
Meanwhile will you let me look at the ring once more?"
Paul took it from his pocket, and handed it to the jeweler from Syracuse, as he supposed him to be.
Mr. Montgomery took it to the window, and appeared to be examining it carefully.
He stood with his back to Paul, but this did not excite suspicion on the part of our hero.
"I am quite sure," he said, still standing with his back to Paul, "that this will please my friend. From the instructions he gave me, it is precisely what he wanted."