"Where will you get it?"

"I ain't obliged to tell that. It don't make no difference to you."

"Well, if you get the money to-morrow you can come round to-morrow,"

said the old man, with the air of one who had announced his ultimatum.

"But I want it to-day, particular," persisted Sam.

"Why do you want it to-day, particular?" asked the pawnbroker, looking curious.

"I'm going to a party to-night," said Sam, whose imagination was always to be relied upon. "I want to wear the ring there."

"Did you expect to go to the party without a vest?" queried the old man.

"Oh, I've got another at home," said Sam, composedly.

"You'll have to do without the ring till you bring me the money," said the pawnbroker, finally.

Sam saw from his manner that he was in earnest, and as perplexed as ever he left the shop.

"What am I going to do now?" he thought. "It's a shame to give up the reward on account of that mean old man. Why can't he trust me, I'd like to know? Does he think I would cheat him?"

Then a new fear disturbed Sam.

The pawnbroker might see the reward, and himself go to the advertiser and claim it.

"I wonder whether he takes the _Herald?_" thought our hero.

Something must be done, and at once. It was quite impossible to let such a golden chance slip by. So, finally, he determined to see Henry Martin, and if absolutely necessary tell him the whole story, and get him to accompany him to the pawnbroker's shop.

On his way back he happened to overtake Henry in the street, and broached the subject to him. Henry listened to him attentively.

"So that is where you got your supply of money from, Sam?" he said.

"Yes."

"I thought you must have raised some somewhere, or you would have been borrowing of me."

"I want to borrow three dollars of you now, or three fifty, to make sure I have enough."

"You had no right to pawn that ring, Sam. You ought to have remembered that it was not yours."

"I couldn't help it. I was out of money. Besides, I didn't know whose it was."

"It was your duty to find out, or try to find out."

"Could I go round the city asking everybody if the ring belonged to them?"

"No, but you could have advertised it in some paper.".

"How could I when I was dead broke? You know I couldn't."

"Well, what do you propose to do now?"

"I want you to lend me money enough to get back the ring. Then I'll go round to Wall Street and return it and get the twenty-five dollars reward, and pay you back every cent I owe you."

Henry reflected.

"I don't know but that's the best way," he said; "but I must go with you to see that it's all right."

"Of course you can. I want you to," said Sam, relieved.

"We can't go now, for there isn't time. Come into my place as soon as you get away, and we'll go round together."

"All right, Henry. You're a trump, and no mistake. I thought you'd help me out."

Sam's cheerfulness returned, and he went to work with more alacrity.

All the afternoon he was forming plans for the disposal of the reward when it came into his hands.

About a quarter after five the two boys entered the pawnbroker's office.

The latter was not particularly pleased to see Sam, and his countenance showed it.

"I guess I'll take that ring, mister," said Sam, in an independent tone.

"What ring?"

"Oh, you know well enough."

"Have you brought the money?"

"Yes; I've got it here."

"It will be five dollars and a half."

"That is too much, but I'll give it to you; so just hand it over."

"Wait a minute, my friend," said the pawnbroker. "Where did you get the ring?"

"I've told you already."

"You said your grandmother left it to you; but I don't believe it."

"I can't help what you believe. Just hand it over."

"I have a strong suspicion, my young friend, that it is stolen."

"It's a lie!" said Sam, angrily.