"
"I'll give you ten," said the old man, whose eagerness increased with
Paul's indifference.
"No, you won't. Give me back the ring."
"I might give eleven, but I should lose money."
"I don't want you to lose money, and I've concluded to keep the ring,"
said Paul, rightly inferring from the old man's eagerness that the ring
was much more valuable than he had at first supposed.
But the old pawnbroker was fascinated by the sparkling bauble. He
could not make up his mind to give it up. By fair means or foul he must
possess it. He advanced his bid to twelve, fourteen, fifteen dollars,
but Paul shook his head resolutely. He had made up his mind to carry
it to Ball & Black's, or some other first-class jewelers, and ascertain
whether it was a real diamond or not, and if so to obtain an estimate of
its value.
"I've changed my mind," he said. "I'll keep the ring. Just give it back
to me."
CHAPTER XVI
THE JEWELER'S PRICE
But to give it back was not Eliakim's intention. Should he buy it at
twenty dollars, he would make at least two hundred, and such bargains
were not to be had every day. He decided to give Paul his price.
"I will give you twenty dollars," he said; "but it is more than the ring
is worth."
"I have concluded not to take twenty dollars," said Paul. "You may give
it back."
"You agreed to take twenty dollars," said Eliakim, angrily.
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