"You swindled me out of it this
morning."
"My young friend, you must certainly be insane," said Mr. Montgomery,
shrugging his shoulders. "My dear, did you hear that?"
"He is an impudent boy," said the lady. "I am surprised that you should
be willing to talk to him."
"If you leave here I will put a policeman on your track," said Paul.
He looked so determined that Mr. Montgomery found that he must parley.
"You are under a strange hallucination, my young friend," he said.
"If you will walk along with me, I think I can convince you of your
mistake."
"There is no mistake about the matter," said Paul, walking on with them.
"The ring is mine, and I must have it."
"My dear, will you explain about the ring? He may credit your
testimony."
"I don't see that any explanation is necessary," said the lady.
"However, since you wish it, I will say that the ring was handed you by
Mrs. Benton, a wealthy lady of your parish, with instructions to sell
it, and devote the proceeds to charitable purposes."
"Is that explanation satisfactory?" asked Mr. Montgomery.
"No, it is not," said Paul, resolutely. "I don't believe one word of
it. I recognize you in spite of your dress. You gave me chloroform this
morning in a room in Lovejoy's Hotel, and when I was unconscious you
made off with the ring which I expected to sell you. You had better
return it, or I will call a policeman.
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