With This Ring by Amanda Quick Read Free Book Online

with a key fashioned from a pair of Rings. The statue and the Rings disappeared shortly thereafter." Leo spread his hands. "Treasure seekers have searched for them from time to time down through the years, but neither the Rings nor the statue has ever been found."
    "Is that all there is to the tale?"
    "That is the essence of the matter, yes. There have been a number of fakes produced over the years. It is quite conceivable that in spite of his instincts for antiquities, your uncle fell victim to a scheme designed to make him believe that he had purchased the actual Forbidden Rings."
    "Yes, I know that it is possible he purchased some fraudulent artifacts. But I have no choice. I must pursue the matter."
    "Assuming that he somehow managed to obtain a pair of Rings, genuine or otherwise, what makes you believe that he was murdered because of them?"
    Beatrice released the back of the chair and went to stand at the window again. "In addition to the fact that his house was torn apart the very night he died, Uncle Reggie left some notes in his appointment book. They indicated that he was becoming quite anxious about something. He wrote that he thought someone was following him around London."
    "You said he was a noted eccentric."
    "Yes, but his was not a fearful or overanxious temperament. I also find it rather suspicious that he died shortly after purchasing the Forbidden Rings."
    A chill of dread stirred the hair on the back of Leo's
     
    Q u i c k
    arms. Control yourself, man. You study legends, you do not believe in them. "Mrs. Poole, if, for the sake of argument, you were to find the Rings, what would you do with them?"
    "Sell them, of course." She sounded surprised by the question. "It is the only way we can hope to recover at least some of my uncle's money."
    "I see."
    She turned away from the window. "My lord, is there anything else you can tell me about this matter?"
    He hesitated. "Only that it can be dangerous to get involved in an affair that lures treasure hunters. They are not a stable lot. The prospect of discovering a great treasure, especially an ancient, legendary one, has unpredictable effects on some people."
    "Yes, yes, I can well understand that." She br 'ushed his warning aside with a graceful flick of her wrist. "But can you tell me anything more about the Rings?"
    "I heard an unsubstantiated rumor that a while back they turned up in a rather poor antiquities shop operated by a man named Ashwater," he said slowly.
    "Forgive me, my lord, but I already know that much about the business. I went to see Mr. Ashwater. His establishment is closed. His neighbors informed me that he had left on an extended tour of Italy."
    It occurred to him that she was losing her patience. He did not know whether to be annoyed or amused. She was the uninvited guest here. This was his house. She was the one who had descended on him without a by-your-leave and demanded answers to questions.
    "You have already begun to make inquiries?" he asked. "Of course. How do you think I came to learn of your expertise in legendary antiquities, my lord? Your articles, after all, are published in somewhat obscure journals. I had never even heard your name before.1 began my investigations."
    W i t h T h i s R i n g
    He wondered if he should be insulted. "It's quite true that I am not an author of popular novels, such as Mrs. York."
    She gave him a smile that bordered on the condescending. "Do not feel too bad about it. We cannot all write well enough to make a living, sir."
    "I write," he said through his teeth, "for a different audience than does Mrs. York."
    "Fortunately, in your case, there is no need to convince people to actually purchase your work, is there? The Monkcrest fortune is the stuff of legend, according to my aunt. You can afford to write for journals that do not pay for your articles."
    "We seem to be straying from the subject, Mrs. Poole." "Indeed, we do." Her smile was very cool. There were dangerous sparks in her eyes. "My lord,