"It is either what I
propose or ruin. I give you fair warning that I will stick at
nothing where my reputation is concerned. You and yours shall be
trod in the dirt before I allow a spot on my character!"
To Mary's relief they were here interrupted by the hurried
entrance of Mrs. Redmain. She almost ran up to her, and took her
by both hands.
"You dear creature! You have brought me my ring!" she cried.
Mary shook her head with a little sigh.
"But you have come to tell me where it is?"
"Alas! no, dear Mrs. Redmain!" said Mary.
"Then you must find it," she said, and turned away with an
ominous-looking frown. "I will do all I can to help you find it."
"Oh, you _must_ find it! My jewel-case was in your charge."
"But there has been time to lose everything in it, the one after
the other, since I gave it up. The sapphire ring was there, I
know, when I went."
"That can not be. You gave me the box, and I put it away myself,
and, the next time I looked in it, it was not there."
"I wish I had asked you to open it when I gave it you," said
Mary.
"I wish you had," said Hesper. "But the ring must be found, or I
shall send for the police."
"I will not make matters worse, Mrs. Redmain," said Mary, with as
much calmness as she could assume, and much was needed, "by
pointing out what your words imply. If you really mean what you
say, it is I who must insist on the police being sent for.
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