to the
burglars, and gave it me previous to his death, begging me to keep it,
unless some one were arrested, whose property it might prove to be. I
have not opened it, or looked upon it, and do not know even what it is."

He passed it to the judge, who, untying the paper, drew forth a small
box, such as is usually used to contain articles of jewelry. Lifting the
lid, he held up to view a superb diamond ring, the curious setting of
which Guly recognized at once, as being the same as on a diamond ring,
of like appearance, he had seen the prisoner wear. While examining it,
some words engraved on the inside, caught the judge's eye, and turning
it to the light, he read, in full, clear tones, the name of "_Clinton
Delancey_."

At that moment there was a sudden opening in the crowd, and Mr. Delancey
tottered forward, with features ashy pale, and the strong eyes softened
almost to tears.

"My son, my son!"

A gleam of triumph shot into Clinton's gaze, as stretching forth his
hand, he exclaimed:--

"Aye, father, behold your son! It was not here I thought next to see
you when we parted last; but it is one of those retributive meetings,
which come sometimes, God-appointed. What you see me, you have made me.
By your own false pride I was forced to beg or steal. In taking from
you, I felt I took but my just due. This shame be upon your own head!"

A dead silence fell upon all, and a glance of sympathy for Mr. Delancey
ran round the court and the crowd of spectators; but, after a strong
effort, the merchant drew himself to his full height, and, in a moment,
all his coldness and flintiness of manner had returned to him. Turning
to the Court, he said, firmly:--

"Let the law pursue its course," and passed from the room, striking his
cane heavily down with each step, as Guly had often heard him do before.

The prisoner dropped his eyes, with a look of keen disappointment, and,
at this moment, the strange figure of the dwarf forced itself in through
the crowd, and, balancing himself on his crutches, stopped full in front
of the judge.

"Hih! hih! Monsieur," he panted, turning his one eye up at the grave
face of the officer, "I got something to say; please, sir, may I be
heard?"

"Testimony with regard to this matter?"

"Yes, Monsieur; I hang round the courts, I find out what this man has
done; I understand then something I saw him do. I may tell?"

The Court assented; and he went on to state where he had seen Clinton
depo