nment to offer a guest."

"Oh, I meant no offence, old man, I assure you. We will drop the subject
of course."

This was followed by a silence. Mr. Randolph was at his wits' end to
find a way to force Mr. Mitchel to talk. He felt that nothing had been
accomplished. Mr. Barnes, however, thought differently, for he had at
last come to a positive conclusion. From Mr. Mitchel's tone of voice and
the words of his last speech, the detective felt certain that whatever
part Mr. Mitchel himself may have played in the robbery Miss Remsen was
innocent. He also wondered whether the conversation would now drift back
to the ruby. Perhaps it would not have done so had not Mr. Thauret, who
up to this point had scarcely spoken during the progress of the meal,
once more broached the subject.

"I beg pardon, Mr. Mitchel," said he, "but your remark just now, that
there is something special about the lost ruby, has greatly excited my
curiosity. Unless you have some private reason for not doing so, I beg
that you will tell us the history of the gem, if it has one."

There was a pause, during which Mr. Mitchel looked at his plate and
seemed as though studying a problem. Mr. Randolph was delighted that Mr.
Thauret had come to his assistance in this unexpected way, and as he
observed Mr. Mitchel's hesitation it seemed to him that there was a
contest going on in his mind, between a powerful desire to talk on his
hobby, and some prudential whisper that silence would be better. The
detective also waited with some anxiety, a piece of a sweetbread on his
fork, carried but half-way to his mouth.

"Well, gentlemen," at last said Mr. Mitchel, "I will tell you the
story." Mr. Barnes took the tidbit from his fork with a smile that
showed his teeth as they bit it incisively. "First join me in a glass,"
continued Mr. Mitchel; "drink this ruby-colored wine and pledge me that
you will not repeat what I say. This only because I do not wish to
attain the unenviable reputation of being a romancer, as I certainly
should if some reporter should hear and publish the story now, whilst
the loss of the gem is fresh in the memory of all."

The pledge was given, and Mr. Mitchel continued.

"That you might better appreciate this stone, I might begin with a
dissertation on rubies, explaining to you the difference between the
true Oriental gem, which is rare of any magnitude, and the poorer
specimens, known as spinels. However, you would only accuse me of
ventilat