Lamont Cranston spoke slowly as he watched his companion.
“Perhaps you will recall some one who lived in Russia,” he said. “A man who had great wealth — who still retains much of it. Perhaps his name will come to you. Does it?”
“No,” answered Albion, his eyes still upon the fire opal.
“The name is in my mind,” said Cranston. “It will be in yours, if you watch the gem. Listen. I shall reveal it.”
As he ended the sentence, Cranston pressed his fingers tightly together. The fire opal sprang back upon a hinge.
Beneath it, in the base of the ring, was a gold surface, upon which was engraved a seven-pointed star.
“Prince Zuvor!” whispered Lamont Cranston.
RICHARD ALBION uttered a low exclamation. He gripped the arms of his chair, and, half rising, he cast a startled look at the man before him.
Then his eyes reverted to the ring on Lamont Cranston’s hand. The fire opal had dropped back into place. The red gem now glowed where the seven-pointed star had been.
“Do you recognize the name?” questioned Lamont Cranston, with a slight smile.