Themanontheothersideglancedathim，Ithought，alittlecuriously。
“Ifyoucangivemereferences，orsatisfymeinanywayastoyourbonafides，Iampreparedtogiveyouforthisdiamondanopencheckfortenthousandpounds，orifyoupreferit，thecashinstead。“
Istared；Iwasnotaccustomedtoseebusinesstransactedonquitesuchlinesasthose。
“We’lltakeit，“murmuredPugh；Ibelievehewastoomuchovercomebyhisfeelingstodomorethanmurmur。Iinterposed。
“Mydearsir，youwillexcusemysayingthatyouarriveveryrapidlyatyourconclusions。Inthefirstplace，howcanyoumakesurethatitisadiamond？“