The Argosy — page 278: what you’re looking at

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

In the Dead of Night. 261 smoking a last cigar before turning in for the night. In this there was nothing unusual—nothing to excite suspicion. “Hallo! Janvard, is that you?” cried Tom, assuming the tone and manner of a man who has takena little too much wine. ‘I was just wondering what had become of you. This is my birthday;so you must come upstairs with us, and drink my health in some of your own wine.” ‘‘ Another time, sir, J shall be most happy; but to-night és ‘But me no buts,” cried Tom. “I'll have no excuses—none. Come along, Dering, and we’ll crack another bottle of Janvard’s Madeira. We'll poison mine host with his own tipple.” He seized Janvard by the arm and dragged him up-stairs, trolling out the last popular air as he did so. Lionel followed leisurely. “Vou’re a good sort, Janvard—a very good sort !” said Tom. “Monsieur is very kind,” said Janvard, with a smile and a shrug ; and then in obedience to a waive from Tom’s hand, he sat down at table. Tom now began to fumble with a bottle and a corkscrew. ‘‘ Allow me, monsieur,” said Janvard politely, as he relieved Tom of the articles in question, and proceeded to open the bottle with the ease of long practice. ‘““That’s a sweet thing in rings you’ve got on your finger,” said Tom admiringly. ‘Ves, it is rather a fine stone,” said Janvard drily. ‘May I be allowed to examine it?” asked ‘om, as he poured out the wine with a hand that was slightly unsteady. ‘‘T should be most happy to oblige monsieur,” said Janvard hastily, ‘“‘ but the ring fits meso tightly that I am afraid I should have some difficulty in getting it off my finger.” ‘“‘ Hang it all, man, the least you can do is to try,” cried Tom. The Frenchman flushed slightly, drew off the ring with some little difficulty, and passed it across the table to Tom. Tom’s fingers clutched it like a vice. Janvard saw the movement and half rose as if to reclaim the ring ; but it was too late, and he-sat down without speaking. Tom pushed the ring carelessly over one of his fingers and turned it towards the light. “A very pretty gem, indeed!” he said. ‘And worth something considerable in sovereigns, I should say.” “Will you allow me to examine it for a moment?” asked Lionel gravely, as he held out his hand. For the second time Janvard half rose from his seat, and for the second time he sat down without a word. Tom handed the ring across to Lionel. “A magnificent stone indeed,” said the latter, ‘‘ but somewhat old- fashioned in the setting. But that only makes it the more valuable in my eyes. A family heirloom, without doubt. And see! inside the hoop are three initials ; somewhat difficult to decipher, but if I read them aright they are M. K. L.” “ Yes, yes, monsieur,” said Janvard uneasily. ‘‘ As you say, M. K. L. comicbhoo SS (S©)