There was a moment’s silence. Then— “As you please,” said Hubert carelessly. The girl hesitated. “I—I’m afraid I can’t give you back your ring, because I’ve lost it.” “What?” “Lost it,” said Julia coolly. “You know. Like ‘mislaid’—only worse. I know I had it this morning when we started out: but it was a bit big, if you remember, and it must have slipped off.” Challenger swallowed violently. “When did you miss it?” he demanded. “About two minutes ago—when you first went off the deep end. I started to take it off then, only it wasn’t there. I’ve been wondering what to do ever since. You see, it’s never happened to me before, and for the moment I was rather nonplussed. Then it occurred to me that, after all, a ring’s only a symbol, and its giving or restoration purely a matter of form—so why worry? As soon as I find it, I’ll send it you.” “I see,” said Hubert drily. “Well, I’m afraid I don’t quite agree. For one thing, this happened to be rather a good, er, symbol. For another, I might very well need it to offer to somebody else. For another, you’re only human.” “What do you mean?” Challenger rose. “I mean that if the search for a symbol which is no longer symbolic, the discovery of which will only benefit a man you dislike, is to be seriously prosecuted, some incentive is necessary. Pending, therefore, its return, I shall not regard our engagement, however inconvenient, as broken off.” Miss Willow yawned. “I’m not concerned with how you regard it,” she said. “I’m sure of that,” said Hubert suavely. “But I think other people’s views might interest you. Should anybody seem to think that we are no longer engaged, I shall explain the position.” Speechless with indignation, Julia regarded him. At length— “I should bring an action,” she flamed, “for Breach of Promise.” Mournfully Hubert shook his head. “I’ve nothing in writing,” he said. “Besides, it’s the symbol I want. So the correct action would be one for Detinue. I wonder which one you dropped it in,” he added musingly. “I seem to remember some felt being down somewhere, and it may have been there. That would account for our not hearing it fall.” He knitted his brows. “Now, where was that blinkin’ felt? Oh, I know. It was at The Eighty-nine Steps.” “Must you rush off?” said Julia shakily. “Must, I’m afraid,” said Hubert, opening the door. “Sleep well, sweetheart. I’ll ring up one day next week—just to say I’m alive.” A moment later he let himself out of the house. * * * * * Twenty-four hours had gone by. “George,” said Miss Willow, “do you love me?” Setting his elbows upon the severing march of table-cloth, George Fulke crowded into his eyes as much devotion as they would hold. “You are my star,” he said fervently. “Good,” said Julia. “Well, now let’s come down to earth. I wired for you because I’m in need of a—a——” “Knight?” suggested George Fulke.