"but,
perhaps, I can do well. Do you come on business?"

"Yes," said Sam.

"Ahem! law business, I suppose," said the lawyer's assistant, looking
wise. "State your case, and I may be able to assist you. Is it a case
of trespass, or do you wish to obtain a habeas corpus, or a caveat, or
a _nisi prius?_"

"What a lot he knows!" thought Sam, respectfully. "I don't want none
of those things."

"Perhaps you want to obtain a divorce," said the budding barrister, in
a jocular tone. "I am afraid we can't manage that for you."

"We want to see Mr. Chester on particular business," said Henry
Martin.

"Well, you can't see him to-night. He's gone home."

"Where does he live?"

"He don't see clients at his house. It won't be any use going there."

"I guess he'll see us. We'll take the risk."

"What is your business about?" asked the young man, with curiosity.

"It's private," said Henry.

"Very important, no doubt," said the disappointed neophyte.

"Mr. Chester will think so," said Sam. "Where did you say he lived?"

"Did you come about the ring?" asked the young man, with a sudden
thought.

"What ring?" asked Sam, cunningly.

"Mr. Chester lost a ring in Wall Street yesterday and advertised it in
the _Herald._ I didn't know but you had found it."

"Suppose we had?" said Sam.

"Then you can give it to me, and I'll take it up to Mr. Chester."

"Thank you, but if I've found it I'll carry it up myself."

"Have you got it?"

"You can ask Mr. Chester about it to-morrow morning. Where does he
live?"

"I've a great mind not to tell you," said the law student,
resentfully.

"Then I'll find out in the 'Directory' and let Mr. Chester know you
wouldn't tell us."

Upon this Sam got the desired information.

He was told that Mr. Chester lived in West Thirty-fifth Street.

"Let us go," said Henry.

Sam followed him out.

"Shall we go up there to-night?" he asked.

"Yes; it is no doubt very valuable, and the sooner we get it into the
hands of the owner, the better."

They took the University Place cars, and in a little more than half an
hour reached Thirty-fifth Street. They heard the neighboring clocks
strike six as they rang the bell.

The door was opened by a colored man.

"Does Mr. Chester live here?" asked Sam.

"Yes," was the reply.

"Can I see him?"

"He's just gone in to dinner."

"I only want to see him a minute."

"Mr. Chester don't like to be disturbed when he's at dinner. You can
come