"Teddy, be a good boy and place Mr. Slade somewhere," she said, resting her hand purposely on the young man's shoulder. "I'll take off my apron and be back immediately."
She stopped near Majendie, who had returned to the punch-table for an extra glass, and, seeing that her movements were followed by Slade, said:
"Bernard, believe me, I did not plan it. I had no idea he was coming."
"It makes not the slightest difference," he said instantly. "Mr. Slade and I have no quarrel. Please don't worry about me."
"You're an awfully good sort," she said abruptly.
"That is high praise from you," he said, with a little critical smile which showed he was not entirely the dupe of her maneuvers.
She went into her bedroom, and, divesting herself of her apron, hung it in the closet. Then, going to her dressing-table, she drew the hatpin from the pin-cushion and carelessly slipped the rings on her fingers. All at once she frowned and looked quickly at her hand. Only two rings were there. The third one—the ring with the ruby—was gone!
CHAPTER III
Her first emotion was of irritation.
"How stupid!" she said to herself, and, returning to her dressing-table, began to search among the silver and ivory boxes. All at once she stopped. She remembered with a vivid flash putting the pin through the three rings.