EPISODE 2 (THE LOST RING)

'I guess I'd better take a look at those as well, he said.

I turned to take the tray out of the self and then turned quickly back again to put the start on the counter. It was then that I saw that the diamond and Ruby ring had disappeared.

I made a sign to Miss Susskind, another assistant and she came and stood beside me. Then I said to the American, 'I see that you have decided on the flowers ring, sir. If you will kindly hand it to me , I will find a suitable box for it.'

I held out my hand for the ring .

'I haven't decided on anything yet,' the American said. I am not the one who's going to decide. I am just picking out two or three rings for my wife to choose from. She will be coming in later this morning to make her choice.

But the flower ring! Where is it? I asked in dismay . Then I turned to Miss Susskind . Will you please ask Mr Regnier to come here? I asked .

I came out from my side of the counter and begin searching for the ring . The American joined in the search, and so did Mr Regnier was most upset he was doing his best to keep calm.

Then Miss Susskind said , I think that you ought to look in the turn-ups of his trousers.

The suggestion was a reasonable one. It is quite easy for searching small to drop in the burn-ups of a trouser legs. And Miss Susskind, who is very kind person, meant him no harm, but he turned in her with a very ugly look.His face turned redder than before, and I noticed that he had stopped chewing His jaws moved as if he were a fierce dog ready to bite.It was a dangerous moment and I felt afraid, but Miss Susskind stood there perfectly calm. Then the American bent down and felt round his turn-ups and I helped him too , but there was nothing.

The American laughed . I suppose you're thinking that I've stolen it, he said.

'Oh , no sir, Of course not , '. Mr Regnier protested . Of course I do not suspect you. But when I report the matter to the Insurance Company, I shall have to inform them that I made a thorough search - even on you , sir, if you will excuse me.

OK , said the American and went off quite cheerfully to Mr Regnier searched his clothes- without finding any trace of the ring.

While this was happening another customer came in. It was the young lady who had been looking at the funeral display of the undertaker's windows for a such a long time.

Her coming in at this moment struck me as rather strange.

I looked at her across the counter and I noticed several things. Her handbag was of an expensive brand but it was old and worn and very shabby. The same was true of true of her clothes. Clearly , she had been well-off once, but now she was living in poverty . She had not come here to buy anything. More likely, she had come with something to sell.

She put her handbag down on the counter and, taking a little paper packet out of it , she put that down beside her bag. She had not come here to buy anything. More likely, she had come with something to sell.

To be continued-

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