She turned suddenly in her seat and faced him, saying sharply:
"What do you mean?"
"May I speak frankly?"
"I ask you to do so," she said peremptorily.
"I think—in fact, I am convinced—that you suspect who took the ring in the first place."
The cab was grinding against the curb. She put out her hand hurriedly, as if the impulse were to jump from the carriage. But immediately she checked the movement, and turned, saying very simply and directly:
"Do you wish to be my friend?"
"You know I do," he said, surprised.
"Then, if you do, and trust me, never ask that question again—or make the slightest reference to it."
She held out her hand. He took it, but without an answer, opened the door, saw her to her vestibule, and returned silent and moody, turning over again and again in his mind the sudden contradiction in her character.