"There!" he went on, holding out what she saw at once was the lost ring.
"I am so glad!" she said, and took it in her hand. "Where was it found?"
"There's the point!" he returned. "That is just why I sent for you! Can you suggest any explanation of the fact that it was found, after all, in a corner of my wife's jewel-box? Who searched the box last?"
"I do not know, sir."
"Did you search it?"
"No, sir. I offered to help Mrs. Redmain to look for the ring, but she said it was no use. Who found it, sir?"
"I will tell you who found it, if you will tell me who put it there."
"I don't know what you mean, sir. It must have been there all the time."
"That's the point again! Mrs. Redmain swears it was not, and could not have been, there when she looked for it. It is not like a small thing, you see. There is something mysterious about it."
He looked hard at Mary.