"Wait—it's in the second act," answered the sarcastic note of a man.
"Ah, the love scene," said the woman mollified.
The two young men rose, giving their places to arriving visitors, and went into the corridors on their rounds. Beecher was thoughtful. He had at last assured himself that he had not been mistaken—Miss Charters was present. He had detected her with her glasses on his box, but he had not succeeded in seeing who was her companion.
"I'd give a good deal to know how well Mrs. Cheever knows Mapleson," said Gunther eagerly.
"I say, what do you mean by poking me?" asked Beecher suddenly.
"Didn't you get on? Mapleson is the head of Sontag & Company; Sontag & Company sold the ring to Slade. Now if Mapleson and Mrs. Cheever are intimate it's possible—just a chance—Mrs. Cheever may have known the facts. See?"
Beecher shrugged his shoulders.
"It's a long shot."
"But a chance. I'll pick up some one here in five minutes who can tell me."
Beecher entered the Bloodgood box and, making his way to the front, gave his hand to Mrs. Bloodgood. Four or five men, impelled by curiosity, were before him, mentally registering their reports to add to the fund of gossip. Mrs. Bloodgood, glad to avail herself of the opportunity, had turned her back on the audience and was holding her head against these social scouts, who discussed Slade, which was a manner of discussing Majendie.