"There's your money and ticket."

And with these the poor Italian departed, giving one last lingering
glance at his precious violin, as Eliakim took it roughly and deposited
it upon a shelf behind him. But he thought of his little daughter at
home, and the means of relief which he held in his hand, and a smile
of joy lightened his melancholy features. The future might be dark and
unpromising, but for three days, at any rate, she should not want bread.

Paul's turn came next.

"What have you got?" asked the pawnbroker.

Paul showed the ring.

Eliakim took it, and his small, beadlike eyes sparkled avariciously as
he recognized the diamond, for his experience was such that he
could form a tolerably correct estimate of its value. But he
quickly suppressed all outward manifestations of interest, and said,
indifferently, "What do you want for it?"

"I want twenty dollars," said Paul, boldly.

"Twenty dollars!" returned the pawnbroker. "That's a joke."

"No, it isn't," said Paul. "I want twenty dollars, and you can't have
the ring for less."

"If you said twenty shillings, I might give it to you," said Eliakim;
"but you must think I am a fool to give twenty dollars."

"That's cheap for a diamond ring," said Paul. "It's worth a good deal
more."

The pawnbroker eyed Paul sharply. Did the boy know that it was a diamond
ring? What chance was there of deceiving him as to its value? The old
man, whose business made him a good judge, decided that the ring was not
worth less than two hundred and fifty dollars, and if he could get it
into his possession for a trifle, it would be a paying operation.

"You're mistaken, boy," he said. "It's not a diamond."

"What is it?"

"A very good imitation."

"How much is it worth?"

"I'll give you three dollars."

"That won't do. I want to raise twenty dollars, and if I can't get that,
I'll keep the ring."

The pawnbroker saw that he had made a mistake. Paul was not as much
in need of money as the majority of his customers. He would rather pay
twenty dollars than lose the bargain, though it went against the grain
to pay so much money. But after pronouncing the stone an imitation, how
could he rise much above the offer he had already made? He resolved to
approach it gradually. Surveying it more closely, he said:

"It is an excellent imitation. I will give you five dollars."

Paul was not without natural shrewdness, and this sudden advance
convinced him that it was, after al