Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-12-09

eler when he discovered, in the
invalid Mr.. Il, the swindler
who had some years previously de-
him in the assumed char
acter of the Russian Prince Garga-
rim! For a few moments he was
struck dumb with amazement.
However, he recovered himself, ana
deeming it prudent not to betray
the discovery he had made, he dis
played his rings; several were Sc
lected, and their price amounted to
about six thousand francs.
at is a large sum Of money for
a poor, ruined man." said NJ. T..
II have not ready cash enough to
settle the whole amount, and !
shall feel obliged if you will take
in payment this curious old snuff
box, which is Of great value"
He asked for his dressing case,
and opening it, took out an octagon
shaped snuff box, ornamented with |
ten miniatures by Clinchsteil, set in
gold and rabies. 1t was perfectly |
unique, and OF inestimable value.
The snuff box which NJ. T
presented to him was one which
had been stolen from him a few
days before the robbery Of his dia-
monds. The box was loo remark
able to admit of the possibility Of
mistake. Besides, it had a secret
spring, by means of which all the
miniatures could be taken out Of
their settings, and on the reyerses
were painted similar subjects, but
treated in the style Of indelicacy
peculiar to the age of Louis XIV.
This circumstance was important
in proof Of his claim to the posses
sion of the box. When NJ. r
asked to set a value on it, he said
without hesitation:
81 consider it worth more than
fifty thousand francs"
"Flfty thousand francsw ex-
claimed NJ. T; 81 thought it
valuable, but this far exceeds my
estimation Of it"
"Sir," resumed the jeweler, 81
will not retract what | have said. |
am an expert dealer, and to me it
may possibly be worth far more. /
will make this proposition to you;
you shall take the rings you have
selected, and you shall put the box
under an envelope stating it to be
my property; and, if it does not
bring more than fifty thousand
francs, you shall have my rings for
nothing.
NJ. Il was completely blinded
by this deep-laid scheme. He was a
good connoisseur of objects of virtu,
and he was not a little gratifed to
find his box so much overvalued
and to be enabled to obtain the
rings without opening his purse.
The most exaggerated valuation Of
| the snuff box would scarcely have
exceeded seven or eight thousand
| francs. He sent for two Of his
peighbors, one of whom was a no
tary, and the matter was arranged
conformably with the jewelers.
proposition, This being done, the
j invalid said,
"Who will fix the price Of the
box%
"You, sir" coolly replied the
jeweler.
"Me? You are jesting!9
II assure you, sir, | am quite
serious. | would willingly lay Il
good wager that you viii value the
box at five bpA9rpd thousand
francs"
NJ. T directed at the two
witnesses a look which seemed to
say-the man is mad; but the jew
/ eler added;
You will value it at that price,
| am sure you will. But first of all,
| have to acquaint you with a cir
! cumstance connected with this box,
which will enable yoa to perceive
it's real value"
M. Il, full of curiosity and
r anxiety, consented to hear the jew
: eler's communication in private
e The two neighbors, taking the boz
a with them, adjourned to the draw
4 ing-room; and NJ. T. and tht
G ieweler being left alone, the lattel
c said:
n "Sir, it is now about sixteer
t. years ago since that snuff-box wa
stolen from me; and a short tim,
q after you robbed me ofiifty Thousand
|. crowns worth oil diamonds unde
o the assumed name Of Prince Gar