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Alger, Horatio, 1832-1899

"Paul the Peddler, or the Fortunes of a Young Street Merchant"

He at once acted upon
this thought, and, hailing a Broadway stage, for no time was to be lost,
soon reached his destination. Entering the store, he walked up to the
counter and addressed the clerk to whom he had before shown the ring.
"Do you remember my offering you a diamond ring for sale this morning?"
he asked.
"Yes, I remember it very well. Have you got it with you?"
"No, it has been stolen from me."
"Indeed! How was that?" asked the clerk, with interest.
"I met in the cars a well-dressed man, who called himself a jeweler from
Syracuse. He examined the ring, and offered me more than Mr. Tiffany,
but asked me to bring it to him at Lovejoy's Hotel. When I got there, he
drugged me with chloroform, and when I recovered he was gone."
"You have been unlucky. There are plenty of such swindlers about. You
should have been careful about displaying the ring before strangers."
"I was showing it to a friend."
"Have you notified the police?"
"Not yet. I came here to let you know, because I thought the thief might
bring it in here to sell."
"Very likely. Give me a description of him."
Paul described Mr. Felix Montgomery to the best of his ability.
"I think I should know him from your description. I will speak to Mr.
Tiffany, and he will no doubt give orders to detain any person who may
offer the ring for sale."
"Thank you.


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