It was in one time owned by Robert the Norman, who presented it to my greatest ancestor." He drew an odd-shaped ring from his pocket and handed it to the American.

It was of dull gold and set with a half dozen flat-cut garnets.

Perhaps antique; perhaps not; but of little intrinsic value.
"This ring I have decided to sell, and it shall be yours, Signor Merreek, at a price far less than is represented by its historic worth.
I am sure you will be glad to buy it." "For how much ?" asked Uncle John, curiously.
"A trifle; a mere hundred thousand lira." "Twenty thousand dollars!" "The ring of King Roger.

How cheap! But, nevertheless, you shall have it for that sum." Uncle John smiled.
"My dear Duke," he replied, "you have made a sad mistake.

I am a comparatively poor man.