"
"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 passed 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.
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