"I don't suspect either of you," said Mrs. Vernon. "I will look again in my own room."
"Aunt, that will be well, but I insist on your searching my room also, and Mr. Frost is willing to have you search his."
Reluctantly Mrs. Vernon followed her nephew upstairs, and first examined her own chamber, but the ring was not found.
Next she entered Frederic's room. He made great ado of opening all the drawers of his bureau, and searching every available place, but again the ring was not found.
"You see, the search is unnecessary, Frederic," said his aunt.
"Still I shall feel better for its having been made."
"Then we will stop here."
"If Robert does not want his room searched he can say so," said Vernon significantly.
Robert colored, for he felt the insinuation.
"I wish you to search my room," he said proudly.