Part 38 (1/2)
”The ring has already been offered there. They might remember it.”
”If they do, say that he is your son.”
”A good thought,” answered the husband. ”I will act upon it. But, on the whole, I'll doff this disguise, and a.s.sume my ordinary garments. This time, my dear, I shall not need your a.s.sistance.”
”Well, the sooner it's done the better. That's all I have to say.”
”As soon as possible.”
Mr. Montgomery returned to his lodgings in Amity street, and, taking off his clerical garb, appeared in the garb in which we first made his acquaintance. The change was very speedily effected.
”Wish me good luck, Mrs. M.,” he said, as he opened the door. ”I am going to make another attempt.”
”Good luck to you, Tony! Come back soon.”
”As soon as my business is completed. If I get the money, we will leave for Philadelphia this evening. You may as well be packing up.”
”I am afraid the landlady won't let us carry away our baggage unless we pay our bill.”
”Never mind! Pack it up, and we'll run our chance.”
Felix Montgomery left the house with the ring carefully deposited in his vest pocket. To judge from his air of easy indifference, he might readily have been taken for a substantial citizen in excellent circ.u.mstances; but then appearances are oftentimes deceitful, and they were especially so in the present instance.
He made his way quickly to Broadway, and thence to Tiffany's, at that time not so far uptown as at present. He entered the store with a nonchalant air, and, advancing to the counter, accosted the same clerk to whom Paul had shown the ring earlier in the day.
”I have a valuable ring which I would like to sell,” he said. ”Will you tell me its value?”
The clerk no sooner took it in his hand than he recognized it.
”I have seen that ring before,” he said, looking at Mr. Montgomery keenly.
”Yes,” said the latter, composedly; ”this morning, wasn't it?”
”Yes.”
”My boy brought it in here. I ought not to have sent him, for he came very near losing it on the way home. I thought it best to come with it myself.”
This was said so quietly that it was hard to doubt the statement, or would have been if information had not been brought to the store that the ring had been stolen.
”Yes, boys are careless,” a.s.sented the clerk, not caring to arouse Mr.
Montgomery's suspicions. ”You wish to sell the ring, I suppose.”
”Yes,” answered the other; ”I don't like to carry a ring of so great value. Several times I have come near having it stolen. Will you buy it?”
”I am not authorized to make the purchase,” said the clerk. ”I will refer the matter to Mr. Tiffany.”
”Very well,” said Mr. Montgomery. ”I am willing to accept whatever he may p.r.o.nounce a fair price.”
”No doubt,” thought the clerk.