gy, pure and simple? Was there
at the bottom of his words the wish to see me nearer or was he just
playing with the credulity of such believers as the man next me, for
instance? I did not stop to determine. My anxiety to see Madame, without
the illusion of even the short distance between us, induced me to join
the file of the faithful who were slowly approaching the seated woman.
I would not kiss her robes, but I would look into her eyes and make sure
that she was as far away from us all as she was said to be.

But as I drew nearer to her I forgot all about her eyes in the interest
awakened by her hands. And when it came my turn to pause before her,
it was upon the middle finger of her right hand my eyes were fixed. For
there I saw THE RING; the veritable ring of my fair neighbor, if the
description given by her was correct.

To see it there was to have it; or so I vowed in my surprise and
self-confidence. Putting on an air of great dignity, I bowed to the
woman and passed on, resolving upon the course I would pursue, which
must necessarily be daring in order to succeed. At the door I paused
till all who followed me had passed out; then I turned back, and once
again faced Madame.

She was alone. Her watchful guardian had left her side, and to all
appearances the room. The opportunity surpassed my expectations, and
with a step full of nerve I pushed forward and took my stand again
directly in front of her. She gave no token of seeing me; but I did not
hesitate on that account. Exerting all my will power, I first subjected
her to a long and masterful look, and then I spoke, directly and to the
point, like one who felt himself her superior,

"Madame," said I, "the man you wish for is here. Give me the ring, and
trust no more to weak or false emissaries."

The start with which she came to life, or to the evidence of life,
was surprising. Lifting her great lids, she returned my gaze with one
equally searching and powerful, and seeing with what disdain I sustained
it, allowed an almost imperceptible tremor to pass across her face,
which up to now had not displayed the shadow even of an emotion.

"You!" she murmured, in a dove-like tone of voice; "who are you that I
should trust you more than the others?"

"I am he you expect," said I, venturing more as I felt her impassibility
giving way before me. "Have you had no premonition of my coming? Did you
not know that he who controls would be in your presence to-day?"

She