“I would like to see him try it,” said the young fellow, clenching his fist. And young Howard was as good as his word. It was very interesting to an onlooker to see the way the different parties took it. Mrs. Tremain seemed to be partly amused with the boy, and think it all rather good fun. Glendenning scowled somewhat, and tried to be silent; but, finding that made no particular difference, began to make allusions to the extreme youth of young Howard, and seemed to try to provoke him, which laudable intention, to young Howard’s great credit, did not succeed. One evening I came down the forward narrow staircase, that leads to the long corridor running from the saloon, and met, under the electric light at the foot, Mrs. Tremain, young Howard, and Glendenning. They were evidently about to ascend the stairway; but, seeing me come down, they paused, and I stopped for a moment to have a chat with them, and see how things were going on. Glendenning said, addressing me, “Don’t you think it’s time for children to be in bed?” “If you mean me,” I answered, “I am just on my way there.” Mrs. Tremain and young Howard laughed, and Glendenning after that ignored both Howard and myself. He said to Mrs. Tremain, “I never noticed you wearing that ring before. It is a very strange ornament.” “Yes,” answered Mrs. Tremain, turning it round and round. “This is a Mexican charmed ring. There is a secret about it, see if you can find it out.” And with that she pulled off the ring, and handed it to Glendenning. “You ought to give it to him as a keepsake,” said young Howard, aggressively. “The ring, I notice, is a couple of snakes twisted together.” “Little boys,” said Mrs. Tremain, laughing, “shouldn’t make remarks like that. They lead to trouble.” Young Howard flushed angrily as Mrs. Tremain said this. He did not seem to mind it when Glendenning accused him of his youth, but he didn’t like it coming from her. Meanwhile Glendenning was examining the ring, and suddenly it came apart in his hand. The coils of the snake were still linked together, but instead of composing one solid ring they could now be spread several inches apart like the links of a golden chain. Mrs. Tremain turned pale, and gave a little shriek, as she saw this. “Put it together again,” she cried; “put it together quickly.” “What is the matter?” said Glendenning, looking up at her. She was standing two or three steps above him; Glendenning was at the bottom of the stair; young Howard stood on the same step as Mrs. Tremain, and I was a step or two above them. “Put it together,” cried Mrs. Tremain again. “I am trying to,” said Glendenning, “is there a spring somewhere?” “Oh, I cannot tell you,” she answered, nervously clasping and unclasping her hands; “but if you do not put it together without help, that means very great ill-luck for both you and me.” “Does it?” said Glendenning, looking up at her with a peculiar glance, quite ignoring our presence.