do with Dr. Merriam. He is a skilful man; he would see
through any imposture."

"I have a sick friend," I ruminated. "And by the way, his case is
obscure and curious. I could interest any doctor in it in five minutes."

"That is good; consult him in regard to your friend; meantime--while you
are waiting for the interview, I mean--take notice of a large box you
will find placed on a side-table. Do not seem to fix your attention on
it, but never let it be really out of your sight from the moment the
door is unlocked at ten till you are forced by the doctor's importunity
to leave the room at twelve. If you are alone there for one minute
(and you will be allowed to remain there alone if you show no haste to
consult the doctor) unlock that box--here is the key--and look carefully
inside. No one will interfere and no one will criticize you; there is
more than one person who has access to that box."

"But--" I put in.

"You will discover there," she whispered, "a hand of bronze lying on
an enamelled cushion. On the fingers of this hand there should be, and
doubtless are, rings of forged steel of peculiar workmanship. _If there
is one on the middle finger_, my cause is lost, and I can only await the
end." Her cheek paled. "_But if there is not_, you may be sure that an
attempt will be made by some one to-morrow--I do not know whom--to put
one there before the office closes at noon. The ring will be mine--the
one stolen from my hand just now--and it will be your business to
prevent the box being opened for this purpose, by any means short of
public interference involving arrest and investigation; for this, too,
would be fatal. The delay of a day may be of incalculable service to me.
It would give me time to think, if not to act. Does the undertaking seem
a hopeless one? Am I asking too much of your inexperience?"

"It does not seem a hopeful one," I admitted; "but I am willing to
undertake the adventure. What are its dangers? And why, if I see the
ring on the finger you speak of, cannot I take it off and bring it back
to you?"

"Because," said she, answering the last question first, "the ring
becomes a part of the mechanism the moment it is thrust over the last
joint. You could not draw it off. As for the dangers I allude to, they
are of a hidden character, and part of the secret I mentioned. If,
however, you exercise your wit, your courage, and a proper amount of
strategy, you may escape. Interference must be _proved_ aga