other handed him, and read as
follows:

NEW YORK, Sept 15, 18--.

Three days from date I promise to pay Mr. Ephraim Young ten dollars.

JOTHAM BARNES, of Hayfield Centre.

"How will that do?" asked the adventurer. "By waiting three days you
double your money."

"You'll be sure to send it," said Ephraim, doubtfully.

"My young friend, I hope you do not doubt me," said the Rev. Mr. Barnes,
impressively.

"I guess it's all right," said Ephraim, "only I thought I might like to
spend the money in the city."

"Much better save it up," said the other. "By and by it may come in
useful."

Ephraim carefully folded up the note, and deposited it in an immense
wallet, the gift of his father. He would have preferred the money which
it represented: but three days would soon pass, and the ten dollars
would be forwarded to him. He took leave of his new acquaintances, Mr.
Montgomery shaking his hand with affectionate warmth, and requesting him
to give his best respects to his parents. When Ephraim was out of sight
he returned to his wife, with a humorous twinkle in his eye, and said:

"Wasn't that cleverly done, old lady?"

"Good enough!" remarked the lady. "Now you've got the ring back again,
what are you going to do with it?"

"That, my dear, is a subject which requires the maturest consideration.
I shall endeavor to convert it as soon as possible into the largest
possible sum in greenbacks. Otherwise I am afraid our board bill, and
the note I have just given to my rural friend, will remain unpaid."

CHAPTER XXIV

MR. MONTGOMERY'S ARREST

Having shaken off his country acquaintance, of whom he had no further
need, Mr. Montgomery started to return to his lodgings. On the whole,
he was in good spirits, though he had not effected the sale of the ring.
But it was still in his possession, and it had a tangible value.

"I am sorry you did not sell the ring," said Mrs. Montgomery.

"So am I," said her husband. "We may have to sell it in some other
city."

"We can't leave the city without money."

"That's true," returned her husband, rather taken aback by what was
undeniably true.

"We must sell the ring, or raise money on it, in New York."

"I don't know but you are right. The trouble is, there are not many
places where they will buy so expensive an article. Besides, they will
be apt to ask impertinent questions."

"You might go to a pawnbroker's."

"And get fleeced. If I got a quarter of the value from a paw