“See there, what I found on the floor,” exclaimed Johnny, as he entered the room, and held up before Eric’s astonished gaze a jewelled ring, that flashed and sparkled in the sunlight.
“Good gracious!” exclaimed Eric; “on the floor of this room?”
“Yes,” answered Johnny, “on the floor, just where you’re standing. It’s a mercy we haven’t stepped on it. Don’t you think so?”
“We must find the owner at once. Isn’t it splendid!” said Eric, admiringly; “three diamonds and an emerald; it must have cost a fortune.”
Just at this juncture the door opened, and the landlord, followed by a French officer and a civilian, entered the room. The landlord exclaimed, in German,—
“I beg your pardon, young gentlemen, but a serious loss has occurred in the house, and as you are about leaving it, perhaps you will be kind enough to let us inspect—”
“Ah! mon Dieu! il y ait!”[1] screamed the French civilian, darting towards Eric and John, and, snatching the ring from Johnny’s hand, displayed it triumphantly before the landlord and the officer.
“I found it on the floor,” said Johnny. “Is it yours?”
“A likely story!” muttered the Frenchman.
“I’m very glad you’ve got it,” said Eric, with dignity. “My cousin found it on the floor a minute ago, and we were on the point of taking it to the landlord when you came in.”