She knew that she would have
more pleasure in peeping surreptitiously at the secret blue diamond than
in seeing the "obvious" white one on her finger.
"I can't give it up!" she said, laughing. "But I hope it isn't one of
those dreadful historic stones which have had murders committed for it,
like famous jewels one reads of. I should hate anything that came from
_you_ to bring bad luck."
"So should I hate it. If there's any bad luck coming, I want it myself,"
Knight said, gravely.
"I wish I hadn't spoken of bad luck to-day!" the girl remorsefully
exclaimed. "But I am not afraid. Give me the ring."
He gave it, and pulled from his pocket the slight gold chain on which he
meant it to hang. He was leisurely threading the ring upon this when two
men looked in at the door of the reading room.
One of the pair was of more than middle age. He was tall, thin, and
slightly stooping. His respectable clothes seemed too loose for him. His
hair and straggling beard were gray, contrasting with the sallow darkness
of his skin. He wore gold-rimmed spectacles, and peered through them as
if they were not strong enough for his failing sight.
Pages:
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137