under! I had been in it but a few days; already I could feel the
weight. At no time could I surmount the isolation; there was
something going from me minute by minute. With the girl there
could be no evasion; it were better that she have the truth. I
made a clean breast of the whole affair.

"And he told you no more about the ring?"

"That is all," I answered. "He would have told us much more,
undoubtedly, had he not--"

"You saw him go--you saw this thing?"

"That is just it, Miss Holcomb. We saw nothing. One minute we were
looking at Chick, and the next at nothing. Hobart understood it
better than I. At least he forbade my crossing the room. There is
a danger point, a spot that may not be crossed. He threw me back.
It was then that the Rhamda came upon the scene." She frowned
slightly.

"Tell me about the Nervina. When Chick spoke of her, I could
always feel jealous. Is she beautiful?"

"Most beautiful, the most wonderful girl I have ever seen, though
I would hardly class her as one to be jealous of. But she wants
the ring. I've promised Watson, and of course I shall keep it. But
I would like its history."

"I think I can give you some information there," she answered.
"The ring, or rather the jewel, was given to father about twenty