'It is not the ring; you are right. It is not the ring which she used to keep in the box. The stone in that, I think, was larger. It had a crest on it, I remember. And inside there was a name engraved, "George Burton." She showed it me one day, and she said, "I shall have to have this stone remounted. I cannot wear a man's name upon my finger, especially that man's name." I remember very well. Oh, no, this is not the ring at all.' Mr Burton turned in triumph to Mr Cox. 'You hear? Now, who's right?' 'You have seen the ring which you describe?' 'It is certain; more than once. When was the last time? Not many days ago. It was in this box. She took it out of this box, she put it back into the box, and the box she put into the little bottom drawer. I remember it very well. When I heard of Mr Burton's will, I thought of it at once.' 'Then where is it now?' 'She must have taken it out of the box and put it somewhere else.' 'But where? Think!' 'How do I know? how can I think? She must have put it with some of her other jewels. They are everywhere--all over the place.' Mr Cox and Mr Burton exchanged glances. The young gentleman took up the running. 'In that case, we'll look for it all over the place.' 'What do you mean?' 'My dear Lou, I'm going to have that ruby, and before I leave these premises. So, now, you've got it.' 'You will not touch her things?' 'I've no desire to do anything so indelicate. You tell us where it is, or give us a hint.' 'I have not the slightest notion.' 'Then we'll investigate for ourselves.' 'You shall not touch her things!' 'Lou, you gave Guy Holland the tip. You helped him to commit a burglary. Why should you be squeamish now?' 'That was different.' 'Of course it was. He's not attached to you like I am; he doesn't worship the ground you stand upon. It isn't as though you were smitten with Miss Bewicke, because you're not; you've told me so a hundred times. She's going to play some pretty trick on her own account; that's the meaning of her taking out the ruby, which she knew you knew was in that box. And it's a thousand to nothing that she means to play it at my expense. If I can help it, I don't mean to let her have the chance. Your fortune's bound with mine; we sink or swim together. If I don't get that ruby, and to-night, it'll probably mean that I go under, and, if I go, you'll go too. My dear girl, you know you will. Come, be sensible; be something like your dear own self. Do only half for me what you did for Guy. Let me just have a look round for that wretched ruby. By your own account, it must be somewhere close at hand. I'm sure to get it, and, when I do get it, I'll not forget the part you played. It'll not be my fault if I don't still make you the best husband a woman ever had.' 'I was not here when Mr Holland came. I did not see what he did. I knew nothing.'