"How can I go playing such loose, skinny things," he would say,
"when here are such perfect shapes all ready to my hand!"
But Mary said to herself that, if these were shapes, his were
odors.
CHAPTER XLV.
THE SAPPHIRE.
One morning, as Mary sat at her piano, Mewks was shown into the
room. He brought the request from his master that she would go to
him; he wanted particularly to see her. She did not much like it,
neither did she hesitate.
She was shown into the room Mr. Redmain called his study, which
communicated by a dressing-room with his bedroom. He was seated,
evidently waiting for her.
"Ah, Miss Marston!" he said; "I have a piece of good news for
you--so good that I thought I should like to give it you myself."
"You are very kind, sir," Mary answered.
"There!" he went on, holding out what she saw at once was the
lost ring.
"I am so glad!" she said, and took it in her hand. "Where was it
found?"
"There's the point!" he returned. "That is just why I sent for
you! Can you suggest any explanation of the fact that it was
found, after all, in a corner of my wife's jewel-box? Who
searched the box last?"
"I do not know, sir."
"Did you search it?"
"No, sir. I offered to help Mrs. Redmain to look for the ring,
but she said it was no use. Who found it, sir?"
"I will tell you who found it, if you will tell me who put it
there.
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