Mr. Schuyler returned the boxes to Mark, who opened them to see if the rings were inside.
"You will go down in an hour then?" he said.
"Yes, or—upon second thought you had better come right back with the genuine rings. I have an appointment at the Windsor Hotel, but will be back to receive them."
Mark understood why Schuyler did not care to go to the jeweler's. He could not get possession of the genuine rings without paying for them, whereas, if Mark should bring them, he could carry out his original plan and retain them by stratagem.
Schuyler accompanied Mark to the front door.
"Now hurry down and back," he said. "My aunt is anxious to catch the evening train."
"Very well, Mr. Schuyler."
At this moment Schuyler noted for the first time a familiar look in Mark's face.
"Haven't I seen you before?" he asked abruptly.
"Very likely," said Mark with self-possession. "Perhaps you have been in the store."