"No—and I am not sure I wish her to know." "Is she employing detectives?" "Yes." "Whom did the ring belong to?" "To Mrs. Kildair," said Beecher, annoyed that he had forgotten this rather important detail. "Let me see the plan," said McKenna, who glanced at it a moment and nodded. "Now go on." "There were eleven persons present, including Mrs. Kildair," said Beecher, after a moment’s pause. McKenna took the pencil and prepared to inscribe the list. "Myself, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Cheever—" "I can give you a pointer on them," said Gunther, speaking for the first time. "Unnecessary," said McKenna. "I know the card episode." "Mr. and Mrs. Bloodgood." "Mrs. Bloodgood—yes." "Mr. Garraboy." "Joseph L. or Edward C., the broker?" "The broker. Miss Nan Charters." "The actress—yes." "Miss Maud Lille." "Know anything about her?" "She’s a journalist; writes books too, I believe." "Well?" "Bernard L. Majendie and John Slade." The detective raised his eyebrows in surprise. "They were there—together?" "They came separately. Slade joined the party at the last moment; he was not expected." "A very interesting crowd," said the detective slowly, studying the list. "What servants?" "None." "You are sure?" "Mrs. Kildair has only two, a Japanese butler and a lady’s maid, both of whom were out." "You are positive?" "Absolutely. The occasion was an informal supper. Mrs. Kildair, while preparing the dishes, placed her three rings on the pin-cushion of her dressing-table—at this point here on the plans—fastening them with a hatpin. The table, as you see, can be easily seen both from the studio and the dining-room." "What were the circumstances of her placing the rings on the pin-cushion? First, when did it occur? After all the guests had arrived?" "Yes," said Beecher, who immediately corrected himself. "No, I’m wrong; Slade arrived later. But, as I say, he was a surprise. Majendie was the last of the invited party to come. Immediately afterward Mrs. Kildair went into her bedroom to put on an apron and take off her rings." "Who was in the room?" "Mrs. Cheever, Miss Lille, and Garraboy," said Beecher slowly. "They saw her take off the ring?" "Yes; they even announced it later." "Was there much passing to and fro?" "All the time. I am quite sure every one was in the room several times." "Did any one use the hall?" said the detective, indicating it on the plan. "I see it opens into the dining-room also." "Quite a number," said Beecher. "I remember using it myself. We were all going and coming, carrying dishes, glasses, bottles, provisions." "One question: did you notice the ring on the pin-cushion yourself?" "Yes; I distinctly remember seeing two or three rings, I don’t remember which." "Go on." "After about three quarters of an hour of preparation, we took our places at the table, with the exception of Mrs. Kildair, who was still moving about us. It was then that Slade came in, was introduced, and took his place."