"Because, my dear boy," she said,
softly, "it's a mystery! It's one of those fascinating
mysteries that come once in a lifetime."
Loder made no movement. "You must explain," he said, very
quietly.
Lillian smiled. "That's just what I want to do. When I was
in my tent on the night of Blanche's party, a man came to be
gazed for. He came just like anybody else, and laid his hands
upon the table. He had strong, thin hands like--well, rather
like yours But he wore two rings on the third finger of his
left hand--a heavy signet-ring and a plain gold one."
Loder moved his hand imperceptibly till the cushion covered
it. Lillian's words caused him no surprise, scarcely even any
trepidation. He felt now that he had expected them, even
waited for them, all along.
"I asked him to, take off his rings," she went on, "and just
for a second he hesitated--I could feel him hesitate; then he
seemed to make up his mind, for he drew them off. He drew
them off, Jack, and guess what I saw! Do guess!"
For the first time Loder involuntarily drew back into his
corner of the couch.
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