"The plan worked to a charm. When Hager, my father's chief of police,arrived, he was completely taken in. He kept on your trail day andnight, and my purpose was accomplished. We had taken rooms in what Iconsidered the most out-of-the-way locality in New York. When I wentout it was always after dark and wearing a semidisguise. In spite ofevery care, however, fate seemed to be against me, and caused Hager tochoose this very house for the culmination of his little drama. Myrooms are just back of this. Through the door I heard all that passed;and, when I found that my uncle was expected, I realized that the betterway would be to end everything at once and be free from furtherpersecution. I can only close, Mr. Lawrence, by offering my most sincereapologies for the annoyance to which you have been subjected."
"There is not the slightest need of that, your highness," Barry returnedhastily. "I am more grateful to you than I can say, for without youraid I should probably have missed--the greatest happiness of my life."
"You are good to say that," the prince said simply. "I am very happy."
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Lawrence asked as they arose.
The crown prince looked slightly puzzled. "I'm afraid I do notunderstand."
"This," explained Lawrence, drawing the emerald ring from his finger andholding it out. "It belongs to you, you know."
"Not at all. That is yours. It is part of the bargain, and I am sureyou have earned it."
"But it's worth a king's ransom," Barry protested. "I really can't takeit. You have given me more than enough without that. Besides, it ismuch too rare a jewel for me to be wearing."
The prince darted a mischievous glance at Shirley Rives.
"Perhaps there is some one else who might be willing to relieve you ofits care," he murmured, his fine eyes twinkling.
There was no mistaking his meaning, and the girl dropped her lids, whilea rush of color crimsoned her lovely face. The next instant, however,she lifted them again and looked bravely into Barry's questioning eyes.
"Perhaps--some day," she murmured.
THE END.
"Frank Merriwell, Jr.'s, Athletic Team" will be the title of the nextvolume of THE NEW MEDAL LIBRARY, No. 816. Burt L. Standish, in theforthcoming story, has given our readers a most delightful andentertaining account of the activities of "Chip" and his friends.
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The Riddle and the Ring; or, Won by Nerve Page 18