"That was one of your valuable rings, wasn't it, dear?" asked Miss Pennington, in deliberate tones.
"It certainly was—the best diamond I had. I simply won't let it be lost—or taken. I'm going to have it back!"
She spoke in a loud tone, and the door of Estelle's room, farther down the hall, opened. Estelle looked out. She was in negligée, and she seemed to be suffering.
"Has anything happened?" she asked.
"Yes," answered Miss Dixon. "Something has happened. Some one has stolen my diamond ring!"
"Oh!" gasped Ruth, "you shouldn't say that!"
"Say what?"
"Stolen. It's such a—such a harsh word."
"Well, I feel harsh just now. I'm not going to lose that ring. It was on my dresser when I went down to supper, and now it's gone. It was stolen—or taken, if you like that word better. Perhaps you want me to say it was—borrowed?" and she looked scornfully at Ruth.
"It may have slipped down behind your dresser."