The Argosy — page 276: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

In the Dead of Night. 259 on the watch. I must look to their dinners myself, and leave them nothing to complain of. But I shall be pleased—very much pleased indeed when they call for their bill. ‘To-night I will write and tell - everything to Mr. St. George.” Said Tom to Lionel, as they were walking arm-in-arm towards the pump-room: ‘‘ Did you notice that magnificent ring which Janvard wore on the third finger of his left hand ? ” “T could not fail to notice it. I was thinking about it at the very moment you spoke.” ‘“‘T have not seen so splendid a ruby for a long time. ‘The setting, too, is rather unique.” “Yes, it was the peculiar setting that caused me to recognise it again.” ‘“‘'That caused you to recognise it! Youdon’t mean to say that you have ever seen the ring before ?” ‘IT certainly have seen it before.” —wectcr ‘On the finger of Percy Osmond.” Tom halted suddenly and stared at Lionel as if he could hardly believe the evidence of his ears. “T am stating nothing but the simple truth,” continued Lionel. ‘*The moment I saw the ring on Janvard’s finger the thought flashed through me that I had certainly seen it somewhere before. All the time I was talking to Janvard I was trying to call that somewhere to mind, but it did not come to me till after we had left the hotel—not, in fact, till a minute before you spoke about it.” ' Are you sure you are not mistaken? ‘There are many ruby rings — In the world.” . “‘T don’t for one moment think that I am mistaken,” answered Lionel deliberately. ‘‘ If the ring worn by Janvard be the one I mean, it has three initial letters engraved inside the hoop. What particular letters they are I cannot now recollect. JI chanced to express my ad- miration of the ring one night in the billiard-room, and Osmond took it off his finger in order that I might examine it. It was then I saw the letters, but without noticing them with sufficient particularity to remember them again.” “‘T always had an idea,” said Tom, “ that Janvard was in some way mixed up with the murder, and this would seem to prove it. He must have stolen the ring from Osmond’s room either immediately before or immediately after the murder.” “IT must see that ring,” said Lionel decisively. ‘It must come into my possession, if only for a minute or two, if only while I ascertain whether the initials are really there.” “TI don’t think that there will be much difficulty about that,” said Tom. “The fellow has no suspicion as to whom you really are, or as connicloooks (SO)