"
"There is no mistake about the matter," said Paul, walking on
with them. "The ring is mine, and I must have it."
"My dear, will you explain about the ring? He may credit your
testimony."
"I don't see that any explanation is necessary," said the lady.
"However, since you wish it, I will say that the ring was handed
you by Mrs. Benton, a wealthy lady of your parish, with
instructions to sell it, and devote the proceeds to charitable
purposes."
"Is that explanation satisfactory?" asked Mr. Montgomery.
"No, it is not," said Paul, resolutely. "I don't believe one
word of it. I recognize you in spite of your dress. You gave me
chloroform this morning in a room in Lovejoy's Hotel, and when I
was unconscious you made off with the ring which I expected to
sell you. You had better return it, or I will call a policeman."
"I am not the person you take me for," said Felix Montgomery.
"You are the jeweler from Syracuse who swindled me out of my
ring."
"I never was a jeweler, and never lived in Syracuse," said the
adventurer, with entire truth.
"You may be right, but that is what you told me this morning."
"I wish you would go away, and cease to annoy us," said the lady,
impatiently.
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