ssary," said the lady.
"However, since you wish it, I will say that the ring was handed you by
Mrs. Benton, a wealthy lady of your parish, with instructions to sell
it, and devote the proceeds to charitable purposes."

"Is that explanation satisfactory?" asked Mr. Montgomery.

"No, it is not," said Paul, resolutely. "I don't believe one word of
it. I recognize you in spite of your dress. You gave me chloroform this
morning in a room in Lovejoy's Hotel, and when I was unconscious you
made off with the ring which I expected to sell you. You had better
return it, or I will call a policeman."

"I am not the person you take me for," said Felix Montgomery.

"You are the jeweler from Syracuse who swindled me out of my ring."

"I never was a jeweler, and never lived in Syracuse," said the
adventurer, with entire truth.

"You may be right, but that is what you told me this morning."

"I wish you would go away, and cease to annoy us," said the lady,
impatiently.

"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.

"This boy has just purloined a ring from my wife," said Mr. Montgomery.
"Fortunately I caught him in the act."

"Give up the ring, you young scoundrel!" said the officer, imposed upon
by the clerical appearance of the advent