Part 25 (1/2)
”This is a very valuable ring,” he said.
”So I thought,” said Paul. ”How much is it worth?”
”Do you mean how much should we ask for it?”
”No; how much would you give for it?”
”Probably two hundred and fifty dollars.” Paul was quite startled on finding the ring so much more valuable than he had supposed. He had thought it might possibly be worth a hundred dollars; but he had not imagined any rings were worth as much as the sum named.
”Will you buy it of me?” he asked.
The clerk regarded Paul attentively, and, as he thought, a little suspiciously.
”Does the ring belong to you?” he asked.
”No, to my mother.”
”Where did she buy it?”
”She didn't buy it at all. She found it one day at Central Park. It belongs to her now. She advertised for an owner, and examined the papers to see if it was advertised as lost, but could hear nothing of the one to whom it belonged.”
”How long ago was this?”
”Two years ago.”
”I will show this ring to Mr. Tiffany,” said the clerk.
”Very well.”
Paul took a seat and waited.
Soon Mr. Tiffany came up.
”Are you the boy who brought in the ring?” he asked.
”Yes, sir.”
”You say your mother found it two years ago in Central Park?”
”Yes, sir.”
”It is a valuable ring. I should be willing to buy it for two hundred and fifty dollars, if I were quite certain that you had a right to dispose of it.”
”I have told you the truth, Mr. Tiffany,” said Paul, a little nettled at having his word doubted.
”That may be, but there is still a possibility that the original owner may turn up.”
”Won't you buy it, then?” asked Paul, disappointed, for, if he were unable to dispose of the ring, he would have to look elsewhere for the means of buying out Barry's street stand.