“Very!” in his most serious manner. She complied with his request, and they withdrew from the hearing of others. “Miss Gerald,” he began abruptly, “have you lost a ring?” She gazed at him in surprise. “I have.” “Is this it? I believe I recognize it as one you have worn.” “It is.” Gwendoline’s look swerved toward Bob. “But—” she began. “You do not understand how it came in my possession?” he asked, in an even monotonous tone. “I certainly did not think that you—” “You didn’t think I had it?” Seriously. “I did not.” And again she looked toward Bob. “I did not know I had it myself,” he observed gravely, “until just this minute. You believe me, I trust?” “Yes,” she said slowly, “I believe you. But how—?” Again she paused. “Did I come by it? A certain young lady I danced with just now placed it in my waistcoat pocket.” The hammer-thrower held himself squarely, with a poise that expressed rectitude. He was rather well satisfied with what he had done. He argued that his action, from Miss Gerald’s point of view, must be that of an innocent man. If he (the hammer-thrower) had taken the ring it wasn’t likely he would step up to Miss Gerald and offer it back to her. His bold move complicated the issue; but he did not doubt, however, that he would emerge from the affair with credit. “Of course I am aware that it is a serious charge to make,” went on the hammer-thrower, “but what was I to do? I never was put in a more painful position.” “Painful, indeed,” replied Miss Gerald sympathetically. “Of course it was a joke.” “I am glad you take that view of it,” he replied. “You can see that naturally I found it deucedly awkward. Things have been disappearing in so many country-houses, don’t you know. It wouldn’t have been a joke for me if I hadn’t fortunately discovered it as I did. Under the circumstances, I don’t really appreciate Miss Dolly’s jokes.” “But mightn’t it have been some one else?” suggested Gwendoline. “I danced only with you and Miss Dolly.” “Well, naturally, it wouldn’t be I,” said Gwendoline with a smile. “There’s Dolly now talking with Mr. Bennett and Lord Stanfield, Suppose we speak to her. But I wouldn’t have any one else know for the world. I’m really very sorry Dolly’s heedlessness should have caused one of my aunt’s guests any embarrassment.” Miss Gerald was graciousness itself. In spite of the thrill of the moment, the hammer-thrower couldn’t prevent an expression of honest approval gleaming from his eyes. “You are very kind,” he said in a low tone. “You will never know all this visit has meant to me. I, too, regret exceedingly that what you regard as one of Miss Dolly’s mad pranks—and we all know how prone she is to do the unconventional—should have involved me in a little episode that, perhaps, isn’t so agreeable as it should be. I trust, though, you don’t blame me for coming to you at once about the matter?” “Why should I blame you?” The violet eyes full on the deep serious ones.