She said it suddenly, hurling the news among them and waiting ferret-like for some indications in the chorus that broke out.
"Stolen!"
"Oh, my dear Mrs. Kildair!"
"Stolen—by Jove!"
"You don't mean it!"
"What! Stolen here—to-night?"
"The ring has been taken within the last twenty minutes," continued Mrs. Kildair in the same determined, chiseled tone. "I am not going to mince words. The ring has been taken and the thief is among you."
For a moment nothing was heard but an indescribable gasp and a sudden turning and searching, then suddenly Cheever's deep bass broke out:
"Stolen! But, Mrs. Kildair, is it possible?"
"Exactly. There is not the slightest doubt," said Mrs. Kildair. "Three of you were in my bedroom when I placed my rings on the pincushion. Each of you has passed through there a dozen times since. My sapphire ring is gone, and one of you has taken it."