"Is that genuine?" asked the lady.
"It's the real thing."
"What a beauty! Where did you get it?"
"It was kindly presented me by a young man of the tender age of
fifteen or thereabouts, who had no further use for it."
"You did him out of it, that is. Tell me how you did it."
Mr. Montgomery told the story. His wife listened with interest
and appreciation.
"That was a smart operation, Tony," she said.
"I should say it was, Maria."
"How much is the ring worth?"
"Two hundred and fifty dollars."
"Can you get that for it?"
"I can get that for it."
"Tony, you are a treasure."
"Have you just found that out, my dear?"
CHAPTER XX
THE THIEF IN DISGUISE
It will be inferred, from the preceding conversation, that Mrs.
Montgomery was not likely to be shocked by the lack of honesty in
her husband. Her conscience was as elastic as his; and she was
perfectly willing to help him spend his unlawful gains.
"How soon are you going to sell the ring?" she asked.
"I should like to dispose of it at once, Maria."
"You will need to. Mrs. Flagg wants her bill paid at once."
"I quite understand the necessity of promptness, my dear. Only,
you know, one has to be cautious about disposing of articles
obtained in this way.
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