“There was nothing—nothing whatever found of the kind you mention,” replied Griggs with a shake of the head. Then, after a pause, he gave a little deprecatory cough and added: “As I have no wish to hide anything in connection with the affair, it may perhaps be as well to mention that my sister’s boxes contained a quantity of wearing apparel such as seemed, both to me and my wife, far above her station in life, and the only conclusion we could come to was, that it had most likely been a present to her from the lady who had died. After keeping it for three or four years in case any inquiry should be made about it, my wife gradually used it up in the manufacture of garments for our numerous olive branches.” Although Mrs. Griggs made a third at the interview, as yet she had not spoken more than a dozen words, but in the pause that now ensued she suddenly said: “The ring, Kirby—have you forgotten the ring? That might perhaps supply the gentleman with the clue he is looking for.” Griggs started, and his pale face took on an unwonted blush. “I had indeed forgotten the ring,” he said, “but that it will in any way help to clear up the affair, I don’t for one moment believe.” Then turning to Everard, he added: “The ring to which my wife refers is a quite plain hoop of gold, in fact, just like a wedding-ring, except that it is about four times as massive. It was the only article of jewellery found among my sister’s luggage, although she was said to have been wearing a gold watch and chain and several dress rings at the time she fell overboard. Unfortunately, about four years ago I was very much pressed for money and was compelled to put the ring in pledge, obtaining on it an advance of thirty shillings. I am sorry to say that I have never since been in a position to redeem it, but it has not been lost, because I have been careful to pay the interest as it fell due.” “As you say,” replied Everard, “there is not much likelihood of a ring such as you describe this one as being helping me in any way to discover what I am in search of. Still, I should very much like to see and examine it, and if you will allow me to pay the cost of taking it out of pledge I shall be greatly obliged to you.” “Truth to tell, sir,” answered Griggs with a shrug, “I haven’t money enough of my own to spare to enable me to do so. But in any case, nothing can be done in the matter till to-morrow.” So Everard left money for the redemption of the ring and went his way.