Mewks came.
"Show Miss Marston out," said his master; "and tell my coachman to bring the hansom round directly." "For Miss Marston ?" inquired Mewks, who had learned not a little cunning in the service.
"No!" roared Mr.Redmain; and Mewks darted from the room, followed more leisurely by Mary.
"I don't know what's come to master!" ventured Mewks, as he led the way down the stair.
But Mary took no notice, and left the house.
For about a week she heard nothing.
In the meantime Mr.Redmain had been prosecuting certain inquiries he had some time ago begun, and another quite new one besides.

He was acquainted with many people of many different sorts, and had been to jewelers and pawnbrokers, gamblers and lodging-house keepers, and had learned some things to his purpose.
Once more Mary received from him a summons, and once more, considerably against her liking, obeyed.

She was less disinclined to go this time, however, for she felt not a little curious about the ring.
"I want you to come back to the house," he said, abruptly, the moment she entered his room.
For such a request Mary was not prepared.

Even since the ring was found, so long a time had passed that she never expected to hear from the house again.

But Tom was now so much better, and Letty so much like her former self, that, if Mrs.Redmain had asked her, she might perhaps have consented.
"Mr.Redmain," she answered, "you must see that I can not do so at your desire." "Oh, rubbish! humbug!" he returned, with annoyance.