"I should think that would be sufficient. You may mention that
to Mr. Ball or Mr. Black, if you please. I presume after that he
will not be afraid to purchase."
Mr. Montgomery said this with an air of conscious respectability
and high standing, which might readily impose upon strangers.
But, by bad luck, what he had said was heard by a person able to
confute him.
"Did you say you were from Hayfield Centre?" asked a gentleman,
standing a few feet distant.
"Yes," said Mr. Montgomery.
"I think you said your name was Barnes?"
"Yes, sir."
"And that you have been preaching there for the last seven
years?"
"Yes, sir," answered Mr. Montgomery, but there was rather less
confidence in his tone. In fact he was beginning to feel uneasy.
"It is very strange," said the other. "I have a sister living in
Hayfield Centre, and frequently visit the place myself, and so of
course know something of it. Yet I have never heard of any
clergyman named Barnes preaching there."
Mr. Montgomery saw that things looked critical.
"You are strangely mistaken, sir," he said. "However, I will not
press the sale. If you will return the ring (to the clerk) I
will dispose of it elsewhere.
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