And then, with a lightning-like transition of thought, the gleam of the hand with that self-same ring, raised to strike a murderous blow, which he had seen for a moment through the doors of the Milan.

The red seal ring upon the finger--what did it mean?
A doubt chilled him for a moment.
He told himself with passionate insistence, that it was not possible that she could know of these things.

Her words were idle, her theories a jest.

He turned away from the window and caught up a morning paper, resolved to escape from his thoughts.

The first headline stared up at him: THE ROSARIO MURDER.
SENSATIONAL ARREST EXPECTED.
RUMORED EXTRAORDINARY DISCLOSURES.
He threw the paper down again.