"Miss Dare,"--all the District Attorney spoke in the manner of Mr. Ferris now,--"if you refused Mr. Mansell his ring, you must have returned it to him?" She looked at him with an anguish that bespoke her full appreciation of all this question implied, but unequivocally bowed her head. "It was in his possession, then," he continued, "when you left him on that day and returned to your home?" "Yes," her lips seemed to say, though no distinct utterance came from them. "And you did not see it again till you found it on the floor of Mrs. Clemmens' dining-room the morning of the murder?" "No." "Miss Dare," said he, with greater mildness, after a short pause, "you have answered my somewhat painful inquiries with a straightforwardness I cannot sufficiently commend. If you will now add to my gratitude by telling me whether you have informed any one else of the important facts you have just given me, I will distress you by no further questions." "Sir," said she, and her attitude showed that she could endure but little more, "I have taken no one else into my confidence. Such knowledge as I had to impart was not matter for idle gossip." And Mr. Ferris, being thus assured that his own surmises and that of Hickory were correct, bowed with the respect her pale face and rigid attitude seemed to demand, and considerately left the house. XXII. CRAIK MANSELL. Bring me unto my trial when you will.--HENRY VI. "HE is here." Mr. Ferris threw aside his cigar, and looked up at Mr. Byrd, who was standing before him. "You had no difficulty, then?" "No, sir. He acted like a man in hourly expectation of some such summons. At the very first intimation of your desire to see him in Sibley, he rose from his desk, with what I thought was a meaning look at Mr. Goodman, and after a few preparations for departure, signified he was ready to take the next train." "And did he ask no questions?" "Only one. He wished to know if I were a detective. And when I responded 'Yes,' observed with an inquiring look: 'I am wanted as a witness, I suppose.' A suggestion to which I was careful to make no reply." Mr. Ferris pushed aside his writing and glanced toward the door. "Show him in, Mr. Byrd," said he. A moment after Mr. Mansell entered the room. The District Attorney had never seen this man, and was struck at once by the force and manliness of his appearance. Half-rising from his seat to greet the visitor, he said: "I have to beg your pardon, Mr. Mansell. Feeling it quite necessary to see you, I took the liberty of requesting you to take this journey, my own time being fully occupied at present." Mr. Mansell bowed--a slow, self-possessed bow,--and advancing to the table before which the District Attorney sat, laid his hand firmly upon it and said: "No apologies are needed." Then shortly, "What is it you want of me?"