bbing me of a diamond
ring."

"Where is he?" demanded Mrs. Montgomery, not so much excited or overcome
as she would have been had this been the first time her husband had
fallen into the clutches of the law.

"At the street station-house. He wants you to come and see him."

"Have you got the ring back?"

"Yes."

Mrs. Montgomery was sorry to hear it. She hoped her husband might
be able to secrete it, in which case he would pass it over to her to
dispose of. Now she was rather awkwardly situated, being without money,
or the means of making any.

"I will go," she said.

Paul, who was sitting next to the door, opened it suddenly, with
unexpected effort, for the landlady, whose ear was fast to the keyhole,
staggered into the room involuntarily.

"So you were listening, ma'am, were you?" demanded Mrs. Montgomery,
scornfully.

"Yes, I was," said the landlady, rather red in the face.

"You were in good business."

"It's a better business than stealing diamond rings," retorted the
landlady, recovering herself. "I've long suspected there was something
wrong about you and your husband, ma'am, and now I know it. I don't want
no thieves nor jail birds in my house, and the sooner you pay your bill
and leave, the better I'll like it."

"I'll leave as soon as you like, but I can't pay your bill."

"I dare say," retorted the landlady. "You're a nice character to cheat
an honest woman out of four weeks' board."

"Well, Paul, what news?" asked Barry.

"I am ready to buy your stand," said Paul.

"Can you pay me all the money down?"

"On the spot."

"Then it is all settled," said Barry, with satisfaction. "I am glad of
it, for now I shall be able to go on to Philadelphia to-morrow."

Paul drew a roll of bills from his pocket, and proceeded to count
out thirty-five dollars. Barry noticed with surprise that he had a
considerable amount left.

"You are getting rich, Paul," he said.

"I am not rich yet," answered Paul, "but I mean to be some time if I can
accomplish it by industry and attention to business."

"You'll be sure to succeed," said George Barry. "You're just the right
sort. Good-by, old fellow. When you come on to Philadelphia come and see
me."

"I may establish a branch stand in Philadelphia before long," said Paul,
jocosely.

CHAPTER XXVI

CONCLUSION

When Paul was left in charge of the stand, and realized that it was his
own, he felt a degree of satisfaction which can be imagined. He ha