“‘You must let Miss Wallingford examine the ring, madame,’ said the judge as he leaned over his desk and watched Lottie with eager looks.
“Mrs. Ragland took the ring from her finger and handed it to Lottie, at the same time casting on her a gaze of intense hate.
“‘Where and when did you lose the set out of this ring, Mrs. Ragland?’
“‘I lost it somewhere about the 1st of last February, but I do not know where I lost it.’
“‘Would you recognize the set if you were to see it again?’
“‘I would, if I were to find it in an African desert, for it is a genuine diamond, for which I paid three hundred dollars.’
“‘Did you ever pass through a secret opening at the back part of your garden, and enter the street that leads near it?’
“‘Why should I pass through that way to get into the street, when we have two gates that open into the front street?’
“‘I did not ask you why you did it, but I asked you if you ever did do it?’
“‘Very well, miss, then I answer, No!’