particularly anxious that the work should be done in two days at
the very latest, and also that the new ring, in form, colour, and
in the engraving on the inside, should be a perfect counterpart of
the first. He explained his order by saying that his wife was ill,
and that she was grieving over the loss of her wedding ring which
had somehow disappeared. The new ring could be found somewhere as
if by chance and the sick woman's anxiety would be over. Two days
later, as arranged, the same gentleman appeared again and I handed
him the two rings.

"He left the shop, greatly satisfied with my work and apparently
much relieved in his mind. But he left me uneasy in spirit because
I had deceived him. It had not been possible for me to reproduce
exactly the composition of the original ring, and as I believed that
the work was to be done in order to comfort an invalid, and I was
getting no profit, but on the contrary a little extra work out of
it, I made two new rings, lettered them according to the original
and gave them to my customer. The original ring I am now, on this
seventh day of December, giving to Mr. Joseph Mullet, who has shown
me his legitimation as a member of the Secret Police. I am willing
to put myself at the service of the authorities if I am called for."

"You are willing to do this, aren't you?" asked Muller when the
goldsmith had arrived at the end of the notice.

"Of course."

"Have you anything to add to this?"

"No, it is quite complete. I will sign it at once."