COLONEL RAY'S RING The ring lay on the table between us.

Colonel Ray had not yet taken it up.

In grim silence he listened to my faltering words.

When I finished he smiled upon me as one might upon a child that needed humouring.
"So," he said, slipping the ring upon his finger, "you have saved me from the hangman.

What remains?
Your reward, eh ?" "It may seem to you," I answered hotly, "a fitting subject for jokes.