“Yes,” said Shield, somewhat to her surprise, “it is a good plot, but if you do find the ring you must on no account remove it, Miss Thane. Make a sketch of that particular portion of the frieze so that we may easily find it again, and leave the rest to me.”
“Certainly,” said Miss Thane. “But there is just one thing—”
“Where’s the sense in leaving it there?” interrupted Ludovic. “I want my ring. I haven’t had a day’s good luck since I lost it.”
“There is just one thing,” began Miss Thane again, “which perhaps I ought to—”
“Of course, he must have the ring at once!” declared Eustacie. “Why should she leave it?”
“Because we must be able to prove that the ring is in the Beau’s possession. Steal it, and it is merely a matter of your word against his. Once we can prove that the Beau has it, Ludovic is cleared. Until then Ludovic is the last person in the world to hold the ring. If Miss Thane can find the panel, and sketch the frieze for us—”
“Yes,” said Miss Thane. “But I have been trying to tell you for quite some time now that there is a—a trifling hitch. I cannot draw.”
They stared at her in incredulity. “Can’t draw?” repeated Ludovic. “Nonsense, of course you can! All females can draw!”
“I can’t.”
“I thought,” said Sir Tristram, with a touch of scorn, “that drawing and water-colour painting were taught in every young ladies’ seminary?”