"I neglected to tell you," said McKenna, watching him, "that I know whom the ring was pawned with, and this evening the gentleman himself will tell me who pawned it. The time I keep you depends a good deal on what he says." "Then, this evening I will be free," said Garraboy joyfully, with such evident confidence that both young men were struck by it and McKenna, a little disturbed in his theory, continued staring at the face of Garraboy, which was illumined with a slight, malicious smile. *CHAPTER XXII* Half an hour later Gunther and Beecher, leaving McKenna’s office with a promise to return that evening, went up town. In Beecher’s pocket was a check on McKenna representing the amount of Miss Charters’ account. Garraboy remained in the custody of the detective. "Well, what do you think of it?" said Gunther. "I think Garraboy lied," said Beecher. "Oh, about the reason he tried to take the ring—yes, naturally. He could make a plausible reason for that—you’d hardly expect him to say in so many words that he was a thief, if he really didn’t get the ring, as he says." "I think he cooked up the lie right there," said Beecher obstinately. "I don’t believe a word of it." "I don’t know—I sort of think he told the truth." "Do you think any woman would have the nerve to go on after she had felt a hand on hers and knew that some one had a clue, not absolutely definite but almost so?" "But, Ted, if any one denounced her, wouldn’t he have to acknowledge the fact of his own motive? That would be enough to shut any one up." "I think Garraboy lied," persisted Beecher. "I think he had a part in the theft and at least I am sure he knows all about it." "Listen to reason," said Gunther warmly. "If Garraboy signed a confession like McKenna handed him, he wouldn’t stop at returning a ring—particularly when he knows that McKenna will keep hold of him till the affair is closed up. No, no; Garraboy says he’s cleared $200,000—you may be sure he’s got considerably more. He’s satisfied. He wants to get away from here quick. McKenna’s not the only one on his track, you may be sure of that. No, it doesn’t stand to reason he’d balk at a little matter like the ring." Beecher was silent, digesting the argument. "There may be one explanation," he said at length. "You noticed that the fellow was particularly anxious to know if Mrs. Kildair was behind us?" "Yes, I noticed all that." "Now McKenna thinks, and I do too, that Mrs. Kildair all along has known who took the ring and has only been held up before this from prosecuting on account of a possible scandal." "But, that’s over now—nothing can be said—it was an engagement ring, of course." "Exactly; and that’s the reason why I’m going to make this guess—that Garraboy, knowing the game was up, returned the ring this morning." "By George!" "And that’s the reason he told the lie he did—knowing that everything will blow over in twenty-four hours."