“’This watch I received as a gift from our late Czar.  You know that several years ago our late Czar visited Taganrog.  On this occasion the people of Taganrog wished to give him a magnificent horse, but they could not find an appropriate saddle.  It happened that I had one that would do, and when they heard of it, they came to me and told me for what they needed the saddle.  Who would not be ready to make such a sacrifice for the Czar?  Indeed, who would not only sacrifice a costly saddle (and this one was not worth much), but even his life, gladly, if need be?  Therefore, I immediately hired a wagon, and taking this extraordinary saddle with me and then on to Taganrog to the governor’s.

“’"Your Highness seeks a saddle?” I asked.

“’"Yes, indeed,” he answered.

“’"Here it is,” said I.

“’"Thank you,” he said, and pressed my hand.  Then he led me into his own room.  By George! it looked like one in a king’s castle.  He had me sit down, served me with tea, invited me to dine at his table:  in a word, he treated me well.  At my departure, he took out of a drawer a ring set with genuine brilliants, gave it to me, and said, “Take this from me as a gift, and what I receive from the Czar I will give to you also.”  And he kept his word.  The Czar really came, and they gave him the horse with my saddle.  His Majesty thanked me for it and gave me this watch.  Look, now, what a beautiful one it is!’

“’Yes, truly, it is a pretty thing.  Show me it again.  I wish to see what kind of a watch it is,’ said Hemorrhoid Jack, examining the watch.  ’And have you the ring by you?  Can I see it?  Oh, let me see what kind of a thing it is.  I like to see such things, particularly if they come from persons of high rank.’

“‘Is the ring not in the chest of drawers?’ said Sarkis, looking around toward his wife.

“‘Yes, I keep it there,’ answered Mairam, faintly, for she might well foresee something evil.  ’Who is it routs about in the chest of drawers in the night?’

“‘Good Auntie Mairam,’ began Jack, in a wheedling tone, ’I beg of you, bring the ring, that I may see it.  Be so kind!  When I see such a rare thing my heart leaps in my breast with delight.  It is true joy for me to hold such things in my hand and look at them.  Bring me the ring, I beg of you.’

“I looked at him at that moment, and he seemed to me like a veritable gypsy.  Had I not been obliged to consider those present, I should certainly have spit in his face, so great was my aversion to this scoundrel.  Yes, what the proverb says is true:  ’If a rich man becomes poor, he is scented for years with his wealth; if a poor man grows rich he stinks of poverty for forty years!’ That was the way with this Hemorrhoid Jack.  Oh, if it had been in my power I would have seized the scoundrel by the collar and thrown him out of the gate.  But Sarkis was not of my temperament; he had a gentle heart and was meek as a lamb.  I went up to him, pushed his elbow, and whispered: