“That ring is mine,” said Paul. “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.