"But, my dear Mrs. Kildair," said Mrs. Jackson with a little nervous catch of her breath, "what is it? I'm getting terribly worked up! My nerves--" "Miss Lille?" said the voice of command. "Yes." The journalist, calmer than the rest, had watched the proceedings without surprise, as though forewarned by professional instinct that something of importance was about to take place. Now she rose quietly with an almost stealthy motion. "Put the candelabrum on this table--here," said Mrs. Kildair, indicating a large round table on which a few books were grouped. "No, wait. Mr. Jackson, first clear off the table. I want nothing on it." "But, Mrs. Kildair--" began Mrs. Jackson's shrill voice again. "That's it. Now put down the candelabrum." In a moment, as Mr. Cheever proceeded methodically on his errand, the brilliant crossfire of lights dropped in the studio, only a few smoldering wicks winking on the walls, while the high room seemed to grow more distant as it came under the sole dominion of the three candles bracketed in silver at the head of the bare mahogany table. "Now listen!" said Mrs. Kildair, and her voice had in it a cold note. "My sapphire ring has just been stolen." She said it suddenly, hurling the news among them and waiting ferret-like for some indications in the chorus that broke out. "Stolen!" "Oh, my dear Mrs. Kildair!" "Stolen--by Jove!" "You don't mean it!" "What! Stolen here--to-night?" "The ring has been taken within the last twenty minutes," continued Mrs. Kildair in the same determined, chiseled tone. "I am not going to mince words. The ring has been taken and the thief is among you." For a moment nothing was heard but an indescribable gasp and a sudden turning and searching, then suddenly Cheever's deep bass broke out: "Stolen! But, Mrs. Kildair, is it possible?" "Exactly. There is not the slightest doubt," said Mrs. Kildair. "Three of you were in my bedroom when I placed my rings on the pincushion. Each of you has passed through there a dozen times since. My sapphire ring is gone, and one of you has taken it." Mrs. Jackson gave a little scream, and reached heavily for a glass of water. Mrs. Cheever said something inarticulate in the outburst of masculine exclamation. Only Maude Lille's calm voice could be heard saying: "Quite true. I was in the room when you took them off. The sapphire ring was on top."