At this remark quite in the style of the old transpontine drama, the door opened and Donna Maria, followed by Torry, entered the room. Darrel explained to the lady that he had discovered an old schoolfellow in Mr. Roderick Blake, and presented the detective to his friend and to Miss Hargone. This accomplished, he asked Torry if he had been successful. "No," said the detective dismally. "I've found out nothing. Not one of the servants have seen the fellow." As he spoke Torry mechanically looked at Miss Hargone's face. She was staring at him hard; therefore, with some embarrassment, his eyes dropped to her hands. Then he made a discovery, for on the third finger of her right hand was a silver ring set with three blue stones. CHAPTER XIII A SOLDIER OF FORTUNE Having garnered all obtainable evidence, for the time being at Wray House; the detective and his coadjutor returned to town. Before their departure, however, Blake noted the address of his old schoolfellow, and promised to pay him a visit at an early date. Darrel, knowing that Roderick wished to assist in finding out the mystery, resolved to ask Torry if he would permit him to do so. This request he made when they were in the train on their way back to Waterloo. "What do you think of my friend Blake?" he asked, abruptly. "A nice fellow, but flippant," replied Torry. "Not much earnestness of purpose there." "I am sorry you think so, as Blake is anxious to assist us in this matter. It seems that he was a great friend of Mr. Grent's, and is naturally angered by his cowardly assassination; also, he has nothing to do, and wishes to employ his time. What do you say?" "Humph! Mr. Blake is the lover of Miss Hargone?" "Yes he is engaged to marry her. Is that any bar to your utilising his services?" "It may be, sir. You see, this Lydia Hargone is the woman who called at Grent's chambers on that Saturday." "Are you sure?" said Frank, somewhat startled. "As sure as one can be, in this world of mistakes," replied Torry drily. "At all events, she wears on the third finger of her right hand a silver ring set with three turquoise stones, Meek noticed that ring as worn by the veiled lady who visited Grent. At first, owing to the confused manner of Donna Maria, I fancied she might be the individual. However I was wrong. The evidence of the ring assures me that Lydia Hargone paid that visit. Why?" "There is nothing peculiar in her paying a visit to her employer." "Grent was not her employer then. She had left his service some time. Now, Donna Maria is----" "I won't hear a word against that lady," interrupted Darrel hotly. "Because she is beautiful; your romance again. Well as you please; but you must admit that it was strange she should faint at the sight of the Blue Mummy." "Vass fainted in the same way."