done the same thing myself
when we've been playing on circuit. It's all right--if you give things
back."

"But I haven't taken anything of yours!" cried Estelle. "I never went
into your room!"

"Perhaps you have forgotten about it," suggested Miss Pennington coldly.
"You seem to have a headache, and sometimes those headache remedies are
so strong----"

"I am tired, but I have no headache," said Estelle simply, "nor have I
taken any strong headache remedies, as you seem to suggest. I haven't
been walking in my sleep, either. And I certainly was not in your room,
Miss Dixon, nor do I know anything about your ring," and with that she
turned and entered her room, whence, presently, came the sound of
sobbing.

For a moment Ruth stood still, looking at the two rather flashy
actresses, and wondering if they really meant what they had insinuated.
Then Alice's voice was heard calling:

"I say, Ruth, are you and Estelle coming? The boys have the auto and
they'll take us in. Come on."

Ruth did not answer, and Alice came running up the stairs. She came to a
halt as she saw the trio standing in the hall.

"Well, for the love of trading stamps! what's it all about?" she asked.
"Are you posing for Faith, Hope and Charity?"

"Certainly not Charity," murmured Ruth.

"And I certainly have lost what little faith I had, though I hope I do
get my ring back," sneered Miss Dixon.

"Your ring? What's the matter?" asked Alice. "Have you lost something?"

"My diamond ring was taken off my dresser," said the actress.

"And that Estelle Brown was up here ahead of us, and all alone," said
Miss Pennington. "She may have borrowed it and forgotten to return it."

"That's what one gets for leaving one's valuable diamond rings around
where these extra players are allowed to have free access," sneered Miss
Dixon.

"You mean that little chip diamond ring of yours with the red garnets
around it?" asked Alice.

"It isn't a chip diamond at all!" fired back Miss Dixon. "It was a
valuable ring."

"Comparatively, perhaps, yes," and Alice's voice was coolly sneering,
though she rarely allowed herself this privilege. "I'm sorry it is
lost----"

"Why don't you say taken?" asked Miss Pennington.

"Because I don't believe it was," snapped Alice. "Either you forgot
where you laid it or it has dropped behind something. As for thinking
Estelle Brown even borrowed it, that's all nonsense! I don't believe a
word of it."

"Nor I!" exclaimed Rut