I cannot stay here now; but you will recollect that if ever you _want_ me--as a friend or brother, you know--a single line will be enough to bring me to your help.

Finally, I beg of you, for the sake of old times, to wear the ring I send.

I bought it for you--you ought to have no scruple in accepting a keepsake from your oldest friend, MAURICE LEIGH." In the little box was the ring bought so long ago in Liverpool.

It flashed, as if with the light of living eyes, as Lucia opened the lid.
She regarded it for a moment almost with fear, then took it out and placed it on her finger--the third finger of her left hand.

It fitted perfectly, and seemed to her like the embodiment of a watchful guardian who would keep her from wrong and from evil.