The old captain had won these rings from the young lord and put them for safety in the horse; Borland suspected, probably charged him with false play; they fought, and his lordship carried away the stick to recover his own; but had failed to find the rings, taking the boxes in the bamboo for all there was of stowage in it. It was by degrees, however, that this theory formed itself in his mind; now he saw only a glimmer of it here and there. In the meantime he was not a little disappointed. Was this all the great mystery of the berimed horse? It was as if a supposed opal had burst, and proved but a soap-bubble! Joan sat silent, looking at the signet-ring, and the tears came slowly in her eyes. “I _may_ keep this ring, may I not, Cosmo?” she said. “My dear Joan!” exclaimed Cosmo, “the ring is not mine to give anybody, but if you will give me the stick, I shall be greatly obliged to you.” “I will give it you on one condition, Cosmo,” answered Joan, “--that you take the ring as well. I do not care about rings.” “I do,” answered Cosmo; “but sooner than take this from you, Joan, I would part with the hope of ever seeing you again. Why, dear Joan, you don’t know what this diamond is worth!--and you have no money!” “Neither have you,” retorted Joan. “--What is the thing worth?” “I do not like to say lest I should be wrong. If I could weigh it, I should be better able to tell you. But its worth must anyhow be, I think--somewhere towards two hundred pounds.” “Then take it, Cosmo. Or if you won’t have it, give it to your father, with my dear love.” “My father would say to me--‘How could you bring it, Cosmo!’ But I will not forget to give him the message. _That_ he will be delighted to have.” “But, Cosmo! it is of no use to me. How could I get the money you speak of for it? If I were to make an attempt of the kind, my brother would be sure to hear of it. It would be better to give it him at once.” “That difficulty is easily got over,” answered Cosmo. “When I go, I will take it with me; I know where to get a fair price for it--not always easy for anything; I will send you the money, and you will be quite rich for a little while.” “My brother opens all my letters,” replied Joan. “I don’t think he cares to read them, but he sees who they are from.” “Do you have many letters, Joan?” “Not many. Perhaps about one a month, or so.” “I could send it to Dr. Jermyn.” Joan hesitated a moment, but did not object. The next instant they heard the doctor’s step at the door, and his hand on the lock. Joan rose hastily, caught up her bonnet, and sat down a little way off. Cosmo drew the ring and the pieces of the horse under the bed-clothes.