"And that gave out--when?" demanded Mr. Parminter.

"Last week."

"And so--you took your watch to the pawnshop. And--yesterday--your
expected money not having arrived, you were obliged to visit the pawnshop
again? Taking with you, you said just now, two rings--your own property.
Am I correct?"

"Quite correct--two rings--my own property."

Mr. Parminter turned and spoke to a police official, who, lifting aside a
sheet of brown paper which lay before him, revealed the tray of rings
which Lauriston and Ayscough had found on the table in Multenius's
parlour. At the same time, Mr. Parminter, lifting his papers, revealed
Lauriston's rings. He picked them up, laid them on the palm of his hand,
and held them towards the witness.

"Are these the rings you took to the pawnshop?" he asked.

"Yes!" replied Lauriston. "They were my mother's."

Mr. Parminter indicated the tray.

"Did you see this tray lying in the parlour in which you found the dead
man?" he enquired.

"I did."