Ruth did not answer, and Alice came running up the stairs. She came to a halt as she saw the trio standing in the hall.
"Well, for the love of trading stamps! what's it all about?" she asked. "Are you posing for Faith, Hope and Charity?"
"Certainly not Charity," murmured Ruth.
"And I certainly have lost what little faith I had, though I hope I do get my ring back," sneered Miss Dixon.
"Your ring? What's the matter?" asked Alice. "Have you lost something?"
"My diamond ring was taken off my dresser," said the actress.
"And that Estelle Brown was up here ahead of us, and all alone," said Miss Pennington. "She may have borrowed it and forgotten to return it."
"That's what one gets for leaving one's valuable diamond rings around where these extra players are allowed to have free access," sneered Miss Dixon.
"You mean that little chip diamond ring of yours with the red garnets around it?" asked Alice.
"It isn't a chip diamond at all!" fired back Miss Dixon. "It was a valuable ring."