"No, he did not exactly say that. I went with the gentleman, at his
request. Martin weighed the ring, and, after doing so, simply stated
that gold of the quality of which the ring was made was worth a
certain price per pennyweight. By multiplying the number of
pennyweights contained in the ring with the price mentioned, he
showed that you either lost one dollar on the ring, or filled the
centre with some baser metal."

"Well?" The blood had, by this time, risen to the very brow of the
jeweller.

"'Cut the ring,' said my friend. It was done, and, to my
mortification and astonishment, it proved to be even as he had said.
The ring was not solid!"

For some moments, Mr. Grant hung his head in painful confusion.
Then, looking up, he said--

"It was his own fault."

"How so?" was inquired.

"He would not pay the price for a solid ring, and I could not give
him my work for nothing."

"Did you ask him a fair price?"

"Yes; and he answered, that my neighbour over the way had offered to
make him a solid ring, for just one dollar less. I knew exactly what