"I want my ring."
"We have no ring of yours."
"Show me the ring, and if it is not mine I will go away."
"You are a very impudent fellow, upon my word," said Mrs.
Montgomery, sharply, "to accuse a gentleman like my husband of
taking your ring. I don't believe you ever had one."
"My dear," interposed her husband, mildly, "I dare say my young
friend here really thinks we have his ring. Of course it is a
great mistake. Imagine what our friends in Hayfield Centre would
think of such a charge! But you must remember that he is
unacquainted with my standing in the community. In order to
satisfy his mind, I am willing to let him see the ring."
"To let him see the ring?" repeated the lady, in surprise.
"Yes. Here, my lad," taking the ring from his pocket, "this is
the ring. You will see at once that it is not yours."
"I see that it is mine," said Paul, taking the proffered ring,
and preparing to go, astonished at his own good fortune in so
easily recovering it.
"Not so fast!" exclaimed Mr. Montgomery, seizing him by the
shoulder. "Help! Police!"
An officer had turned the corner just before, and it was this
that had suggested the trap. He came up quickly, and, looking
keenly from one to the other, inquired what was the matter.
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