While Douglas was speaking, he unconsciously toyed with the ring upon his finger. At last Harrison fixed his eyes upon the glittering jewel, and remarked:
“That’s a beautiful and valuable ring you wear, my young friend. May I ask you to let me see it?”
Silently Douglas drew it off and placed it in his companion’s outstretched hand. Scarcely had it dropped into Harrison’s palm, ere he started and cried:
“Douglas, where did you get this?”
Ross was disconcerted. His face flushed as he stammered:
“A—a friend gave it to me, General.”
“And where did your friend get it?” the commander demanded excitedly.
“I—I——” Ross began; but Harrison interrupted.
“There—you needn’t tell me. However, I know the ring. I can’t be mistaken. Several years ago I saw it upon the finger of Tenskwatawa, the Shawnee Prophet, when he came to visit me at Vincennes. At that time I took note of its beauty and value. He told me it was a gift from an English officer, who had obtained it in the far East, and hinted to me that it was possessed of some magic power. That stone”—tapping the gem with his finger,—“is a diamond of the first water. It’s quite large, as you see, and worth a considerable sum of money. You are fortunate to possess so valuable and beautiful an ornament.”
With the words, he returned the ring to Douglas. The latter sat looking at the jewel for some moments. Then raising his eyes to the commander’s face, he said earnestly: