"Yes, sir, I received a curious note, and don't know what to make of it. Please explain your business. We are strangers, and you will excuse me that I am always cautious with strangers, whoever they may be." He had evidently taken the lesson of the night before to heart. "But," asked I, "are Mr. and Mrs. Clemens ready to receive me, as I requested in my note?" "Yes, and Mrs. Hale too." "Can I see them all immediately, for I've but little time to spare?" "Yes, sir," said he, quite rigidly; "follow me, sir." I followed him to a small side parlor, where sat Mr. Clemens and the two ladies. "This is the gentleman who left the note here to-day, and says he knows Bob McDonald," said Mr. Hale, as he bowed me to a chair, and cast a furtive glance at his friends as he spoke McDonald's name. "Pardon me, sir," I broke in. "I did not say that I _knew_ Mr. McDonald, but that I was a 'true friend' of him, as you'll observe on looking at the note, if you have it, and as I guess I shall prove." "O, then you don't know my cousin, Mr. McDonald?" asked Mrs. Hale. "I am glad you do not, sir, for I was beginning to fear you if you did. We've seen one of cousin's friends here of late to our regret." "Well, ladies and gentlemen," said I, "I'll make my story short. You have, indeed, had occasion to regret meeting one of Mr. McDonald's pretended friends. Perhaps he does know him too, personally. But I do not; and I am a 'true friend' to Mr. McDonald, in that I would serve his friends as he would desire to have me, if he knew your late loss." There were glances from the eyes of each into those of the others--a momentary silence and wonder-looking--when Mrs. Clemens tremulously exclaimed, "Why, sir, do you know all about it? Have you found the ring?" "Foolish woman!" said Mr. Clemens. "How do you suppose anybody could find what wasn't lost--only stolen?" "But I have something here for you, sir," said I, as I took the ring from my pocket, and held it up in the light. "The same!" "That's it!" "Where did you get it?" "Did he lose it, and you find it?" "How glad I am!" etc., burst from their excited lips. "Be calm, and I'll tell you all about it," said I; and taking their seats, for all had risen to their feet, they listened attentively to my story. I told them my business; how I came to notice them; all that I did--all except what transpired in Pine Street, making a short tale of that. I had handed the ring, as I commenced my story, to Mr. Clemens, who placed it upon a book lying on the table, where it lay throughout our discourse, which was carried on for nearly an hour. Near the conclusion, Mr. Clemens said, "But after all this I do not feel that the ring is yet justly mine. You have earned a part of it, at least, and I wish you to tell me how much I shall pay you for your trouble. I should have lost the ring wholly but for you, and I am willing to pay you half its value, seven hundred and fifty dollars."