“Certainly.”
Stonor addressed the woman. “You say you are unmarried?”
“What are you doing with a wedding-ring?”
“It’s my mother’s ring. She gave it to me when she died.”
“Tole,” said Stonor, “take that ring off and hand it to me.” To the Major he added in explanation: “Wedding-rings usually have the initials of the contracting parties and the date.”
“Of course!”
The ring was removed and handed to Stonor.
Examining it he said: “There is an inscription here, sir. It is: ‘J.I. to A.A., March 3rd, 1886.’ It stands to reason this woman’s mother was married long before 1886.”
“She was married twice,” muttered the woman.