Gandalf, however, disbelieved Bilbo's first story, as soon as he heard
it, and he continued to be very curious about the ring. Eventually he
got the true tale out of Bilbo after much questioning, which for a
while strained their friendship; but the wizard seemed to think the
truth important. Though he did not say so to Bilbo, he also thought it
important, and disturbing, to find that the good hobbit had not told
the truth from the first: quite contrary to his habit. The idea of a
'present' was not mere hobbitlike invention, all the same. It was
suggested to Bilbo, as he confessed, by Gollum's talk that he
overheard; for Gollum did, in fact, call the ring his 'birthday
present', many times. That also Gandalf thought strange and
suspicious; but he did not discover the truth in this point for many
more years, as will be seen in this book.
     Of Bilbo's later adventures little more need be said here. With the
help of the ring he escaped from the orc-guards at the gate and
rejoined his companions. He used the ring many times on his quest,
chiefly for the help of his friends; but he kept it secret from them
as long as he could. After his return to his home he never spoke of it
again to anyone, save Gandalf and Frodo; and no one else in the Shire
knew of its existence, or so he believed. Only to Frodo did he show