“I”vehalfamindtogetahammer，andtry，astheysayinthecookerybooks，anotherway。”
UnfortunatelyIhadpromisedPughtoabstainfromusingforce。I
mighthaveshiveredtheboxopenwithmyhammer，andthenexplainedthatithadfallen，orgottrodupon，orsatupon，orsomething，andsogotshattered，onlyIwasafraidthatPughwouldnotbelieveme。Themanishimselfsuchanuntruthfulmanthatheisinachronicstateofsuspicionaboutthetruthfulnessofothers。
“Well，ifyou”renotgoingtoblowup，oropen，orsomething，I”llsaygoodnight。”
Igavetheboxafinalrapwithmyknucklesandafinalshake，replaceditonthetable，putoutthegas，andreturnedtobed。
Iwasjustsinkingagainintoslumber，whenthatboxbeganagain。
ItwastruethatPughhadpurchasedthepuzzle，butitwasevidentthatthewholeenjoymentofthepurchasewasdestinedtobemine。
Itwasuselesstothinkofsleepwhilethatperformancewasgoingon。Isatupinbedoncemore。
“ItstrikesmethatthepuzzleconsistsinfindingouthowitispossibletogotosleepwithPugh”spurchaseinyourbedroom。Thisisfarbetterthantheold-fashionedprescriptionofcatsonthetiles。”
Itstruckmethenoisewasdistinctlylouderthanbefore；thisappliedbothtothetick，tick，tick，andthescreeching。
“Possibly，“Itoldmyself，asIrelightedthegas，“theexplosionistocomeoffthistime。”
Iturnedtolookatthebox。Therecouldbenodoubtaboutit；thenoisewaslouder。And，ifIcouldtrustmyeyes，theboxwasmoving——givingaseriesoflittlejumps。Thismighthavebeenanopticaldelusion，butitseemedtomethatateachticktheboxgavealittlebound。Duringthescreeches——whichsoundedmorelikethecriesofananimalinanagonyofpaineventhanbefore——ifitdidnottiltitselffirstononeend，andthenonanother，Ishallneverbewillingtotrusttheevidenceofmyowneyesagain。Andsurelytheboxhadincreasedinsize；Icouldhaveswornnotonlythatithadincreased，butthatitwasincreasing，evenasIstoodtherelookingon。Ithadgrown，andstillwasgrowing，bothbroader，andlonger，anddeeper。Pugh，ofcourse，wouldhaveattributedittosupernaturalagency；thereneverwasamanwithsuchanoseforaghost。Icouldpicturehimoccupyingmyposition，shiveringinhisnightshirt，ashebeheldthatmiracletakingplacebeforehiseyes。Thesolutionwhichatoncesuggesteditselftome——andwhichwouldNEVERhavesuggesteditselftoPugh！——
wasthattheboxwasfashioned，asitwere，inlayers，andthattheingeniousmechanismitcontainedwasforcingthesidesatoncebothupwardandoutward。Itookitinmyhand。Icouldfeelsomethingstrikingagainstthebottomofthebox，likethetap，tap，tappingofatinyhammer。
“ThisisaprettypuzzleofPugh”s。Hewouldsaythatthatisthetappingofadeathwatch。FormypartIhavenotmuchfaithindeathwatches，ethocgenusomne，butitcertainlyisacurioustapping；Iwonderwhatisgoingtohappennext？“
Apparentlynothing，exceptacontinuationofthosemysterioussounds。ThattheboxhadincreasedinsizeIhad，andhave，nodoubtwhatever。Ishouldsaythatithadincreasedagoodinchineverydirection，atleasthalfaninchwhileIhadbeenlookingon。
ButwhileIstoodlookingitsgrowthwassuddenlyandperceptiblystayed；itceasedtomove。Onlythenoisecontinued。
“Iwonderhowlongitwillbebeforeanythingworthhappeningdoeshappen！Isupposesomethingisgoingtohappen；therecan”tbeallthisto-dofornothing。Ifitisanythingintheinfernalmachineline，andthereisgoingtobeanexplosion，Imightaswellbeheretoseeit。IthinkI”llhaveapipe。”
Iputonmydressing-gown。Ilitmypipe。Isatandstaredatthebox。IdaresayIsatthereforquitetwentyminuteswhen，asbefore，withoutanysortofwarning，thesoundwasstilled。Itssuddencessationratherstartledme。
“Hasthemechanismagainhungfire？Or，thistime，istheexplosioncomingoff？“Itdidnotcomeoff；nothingcameoff。
“Isn”ttheboxevengoingtoopen？“
Itdidnotopen。Therewassimplysilenceallatonce，andthatwasall。Isatthereinexpectationforsomemomentslonger。ButIsatfornothing。Irose。Itooktheboxinmyhand。Ishookit。
“ThispuzzleISapuzzle。”Iheldtheboxfirsttooneear，thentotheother。Igaveitseveralsharprapswithmyknuckles。
Therewasnotanansweringsound，noteventhesortofreverberationwhichPughandIhadnoticedatfirst。Itseemedhollowerthanever。Itwasasthoughthesouloftheboxwasdead。
“IsupposeifIputyoudown，andextinguishthegasandreturntobed，inabouthalfanhourorso，justasIamdroppingofftosleep，theperformancewillberecommenced。Perhapsthethirdtimewillbelucky。”
ButIwasmistaken——therewasnothirdtime。WhenIreturnedtobedthattimeIreturnedtosleep，andIwasallowedtosleep；
therewasnocontinuationoftheperformance，atleastsofarasI
know。FornosoonerwasIoncemorebetweenthesheetsthanIwasseizedwithanirresistibledrowsiness，adrowsinesswhichsomasteredmethatI——Iimagineitmusthavebeeninstantly——sankintoslumberwhichlastedtilllongafterdayhaddawned。WhetherornotanymoremysterioussoundsissuedfromthebowelsofPugh”spuzzleismorethanIcantell。Iftheydid，theydidnotsucceedinrousingme。
Andyet，whenatlastIdidawake，Ihadasortofconsciousnessthatmywakinghadbeencausedbysomethingstrange。WhatitwasI
couldnotsurmise。MyownimpressionwasthatIhadbeenawakenedbythetouchofaperson”shand。Butthatimpressionmusthavebeenamistakenone，because，asIcouldeasilyseebylookingroundtheroom，therewasnooneintheroomtotouchme。
Itwasbroaddaylight。Ilookedatmywatch；itwasnearlyeleveno”clock。Iamaprettylatesleeperasarule，butIdonotusuallysleepaslateasthat。ThatscoundrelBobwouldletmesleepalldaywithoutthinkingitnecessarytocallme。IwasjustabouttospringoutofbedwiththeintentionofringingthebellsothatImightgiveBobapieceofmymindforallowingmetosleepsolate，whenmyglancefellonthedressing-tableonwhich，thenightbefore，IhadplacedPugh”spuzzle。Ithadgone！
ItsabsencesotookmebysurprisethatIrantothetable。ItHAD
gone。Butithadnotgonefar；ithadgonetopieces！Therewerethepieceslyingwheretheboxhadbeen。Thepuzzlehadsolveditself。Theboxwasopen，openwithavengeance，onemightsay。
LikethatunfortunateHumptyDumpty，who，sothechroniclerstellus，satonawall，surely“alltheking”shorsesandalltheking”smen“nevercouldputPugh”spuzzletogetheragain！
Themarquetryhadresolveditselfintoitscomponentparts。Howthosepartshadeverbeenjoinedwasamystery。Theyhadbeenlaiduponnofoundation，asisthecasewithordinaryinlaidwork。Theseveralpiecesofwoodwerenotonlyofdifferentshapesandsizes，buttheywereasthinasthethinnestveneer；yettheboxhadbeenformedbysimplyjoiningthemtogether。Themanwhomadethatboxmusthavebeenpossessedofingenuityworthyofabettercause。
Iperceivedhowthepuzzlehadbeenworked。Theboxhadcontainedanarrangementofsprings，which，onbeingreleased，hadexpandedthemselvesindifferentdirectionsuntiltheirmereexpansionhadrenttheboxtopieces。Therewerethesprings，lyingamidtheruintheyhadcaused。
Therewassomethingelseamidthatruinbesidesthosesprings；
therewasasmallpieceofwritingpaper。Itookitup。Onthereversesideofitwaswritteninaminute，crabbedhand：“A
PresentForYou。”Whatwasapresentforme？Ilooked，and，notforthefirsttimesinceIhadcaughtsightofPugh”spreciouspuzzle，couldscarcelybelievemyeyes。
There，poisedbetweentwouprightwires，thebentendsofwhichhelditaloftintheair，waseitherapieceofglassor——acrystal。Thescrapofwritingpaperhadexactlycoveredit。I
understoodwhatitwas，whenPughandIhadtappedwiththehammer，hadcausedtheansweringtapstoproceedfromwithin。Ourtapscausedthewirestooscillate，andintheseoscillationsthecrystal，whichtheyheldsuspended，hadtouchedthesideofthebox。
Ilookedagainatthepieceofpaper。“APresentForYou。”WasTHISthepresent——thiscrystal？Iregardeditintently。
“ItCAN”Tbeadiamond。”
Theideawasridiculous，absurd。Nomaninhissenseswouldplaceadiamondinsideatwopenny-halfpennypuzzlebox。Thethingwasasbigasawalnut！Andyet——Iamaprettygoodjudgeofpreciousstones——ifitwasnotanuncutdiamonditwasthebestimitationI
hadseen。Itookitup。Iexamineditclosely。ThemorecloselyIexaminedit，themoremywondergrew。
“ItISadiamond！“
Andyettheideawastoopreposterousforcredence。Whowouldpresentadiamondasbigasawalnutwithatrumperypuzzle？
Besides，allthediamondswhichtheworldcontainsofthatsizearealmostaswellknownastheKoh-i-noor。
“Ifitisadiamond，itisworth——itisworth——Heavenonlyknowswhatitisn”tworthifit”sadiamond。”
Iregardeditthroughastrongpocketlens。AsIdidsoIcouldnotrestrainanexclamation。
“TheworldtoaChinaorange，itISadiamond！“
Thewordshadscarcelyescapedmylipsthantherecameatappingatthedoor。
“Comein！“Icried，supposingitwasBob。ItwasnotBob，itwasPugh。InstinctivelyIputthelensandthecrystalbehindmyback。
AtsightofmeinmynightshirtPughbegantoshakehishead。
“Whathours，Tress，whathours！Why，mydearTress，I”vebreakfasted，readthepapersandmyletters，cameallthewayfrommyhousehere，andyou”renotup！“
“Don”tIlookasthoughIwereup？“
“Ah，Tress！Tress！“Heapproachedthedressing-table。Hiseyefellupontheruins。“What”sthis？“
“That”sthesolutiontothepuzzle。”
“Haveyou——haveyousolveditfairly，Tress？“
“Ithassolveditself。Ourhandling，andtapping，andhammeringmusthavefreedthespringswhichtheboxcontained，andduringthenight，whileIslept，theyhavecausedittocomeopen。”
“Whileyouslept？Dearme！Howstrange！And——whatarethese？“
Hehaddiscoveredthetwouprightwiresonwhichthecrystalhadbeenpoised。
“Isupposethey”repartofthepuzzle。”
“Andwasthereanythinginthebox？What”sthis？“hepickedupthescrapofpaper；Ihadleftitonthetable。Hereadwhatwaswrittenonit：“”APresentForYou。”What”sitmean？Tress，wasthisinthebox？“
“Itwas。”
“What”sitmeanaboutapresent？Wasthereanythingintheboxbesides？“
“Pugh，ifyouwillleavetheroomIshallbeabletodress；Iamnotinthehabitofreceivingquitesuchearlycalls，orIshouldhavebeenpreparedtoreceiveyou。Ifyouwillwaitinthenextroom，IwillbewithyouassoonasI”mdressed。ThereisalittlesubjectinconnectionwiththeboxwhichIwishtodiscusswithyou。”
“Asubjectinconnectionwiththebox？Whatisthesubject？“
“Iwilltellyou，Pugh，whenIhaveperformedmytoilet。”
“Whycan”tyoutellmenow？“
“Doyoupropose，then，thatIshouldstandhereshiveringinmyshirtwhileyouareprosingatyourease？Thankyou；Iamobliged，butIdecline。MayIaskyouoncemore，Pugh，towaitformeintheadjoiningapartment？“
Hemovedtowardthedoor。Whenhehadtakenacoupleofsteps，hehalted。
“I——Ihope，Tress，thatyou”re——you”regoingtoplaynotricksonme？“
“Tricksonyou！IsitlikelythatIamgoingtoplaytricksuponmyoldestfriend？“
Whenhehadgone——hevanished，itseemedtome，withasomewhatdoubtfulvisage——Itookthecrystaltothewindow。Idrewtheblind。Iletthesunshinefallonit。Iexamineditagain，closelyandminutely，withtheaidofmypocketlens。ItWASadiamond；therecouldnotbeadoubtofit。If，withmyknowledgeofstones，Iwasdeceived，thenIwasdeceivedasnevermanhadbeendeceivedbefore。MyheartbeatfasterasIrecognizedthefactthatIwasholdinginmyhandwhatwas，inallprobability，afortuneforamanofmoderatedesires。Ofcourse，PughknewnothingofwhatIhaddiscovered，andtherewasnoreasonwhyheshouldknow。Nottheleast！TheonlydifficultywasthatifI
keptmyowncounsel，andsoldthestoneandutilizedtheproceedsofthesale，Ishouldhavetoinventastorywhichwouldaccountformysuddenaccessiontofortune。PughknowsalmostasmuchofmyaffairsasIdomyself。Thatistheworstoftheseoldfriends！
WhenIjoinedPughIfoundhimdancingupanddownthefloorlikeabearuponhotplates。Hescarcelyallowedmetoputmynoseinsidethedoorbeforeattackingme。
“Tress，givemewhatwasinthebox。”
“MydearPugh，howdoyouknowthattherewassomethingintheboxtogiveyou？“
“Iknowtherewas！“
“Indeed！Ifyouknowthattherewassomethinginthebox，perhapsyouwilltellmewhatthatsomethingwas。”
Heeyedmedoubtfully。Then，advancing，helaiduponmyarmahandwhichpositivelytrembled。
“Tress，you——youwouldn”tplaytricksonanoldfriend。”
“Youareright，Pugh，Iwouldn”t，thoughIbelievetherehavebeenoccasionsonwhichyouhavehaddoubtsuponthesubject。Bytheway，Pugh，IbelievethatIamtheoldestfriendyouhave。”
“I——Idon”tknowaboutthat。There”s——there”sBrasher。”
“Brasher！Who”sBrasher？Youwouldn”tcomparemyfriendshiptothefriendshipofsuchamanasBrasher？Thinkofthetasteswehaveincommon，youandI。We”rebothcollectors。”
“Ye-es，we”rebothcollectors。”
“Imakemyinterestsyours，andyoumakeyourinterestsmine。
Isn”tthatso，Pugh？“
“Tress，what——whatwasinthebox？“
“Iwillbefrankwithyou，Pugh。Iftherehadbeensomethinginthebox，wouldyouhavebeenwillingtogohalveswithmeinmydiscovery？“
“Gohalves！Inyourdiscovery，Tress！Givemewhatismine！“
“Withpleasure，Pugh，ifyouwilltellmewhatisyours。”
“If——ifyoudon”tgivemewhatwasintheboxI”ll——I”llsendforthepolice。”
“Do！ThenIshallbeabletohandtothemwhatwasintheboxinorderthatitmayberestoredtoitsproperowner。”
“Itsproperowner！I”mitsproperowner！“
“Excuseme，butIdon”tunderstandhowthatcanbe；atleast，untilthepolicehavemadeinquiries。Ishouldsaythattheproperownerwasthepersonfromwhomyoupurchasedthebox，or，moreprobably，thepersonfromwhomhepurchasedit，andbywhom，doubtless，itwassoldinignorance，orbymistake。Thus，Pugh，ifyouwillonlysendforthepolice，weshallearnthegratitudeofapersonofwhomweneverheardinourlives——Ifordiscoveringthecontentsofthebox，andyouforreturningthem。”
AsIsaidthis，Pugh”sfacewasastudy。Hegaspedforbreath。Heactuallytookouthishandkerchieftowipehisbrow。
“Tress，I——Idon”tthinkyouneedtouseatonelikethattome。
Itisn”tfriendly。What——whatwasinthebox？“
“Letusunderstandeachother，Pugh。Ifyoudon”thandoverwhatwasintheboxtothepolice，Igohalves。”
Pughbegantodanceaboutthefloor。
“WhatafoolIwastotrustyouwiththebox！IknewIcouldn”ttrustyou。”Isaidnothing。Iturnedandrangthebell。“What”sthatfor？“
“That，mydearPugh，isforbreakfast，and，ifyoudesireit，forthepolice。Youknow，althoughyouhavebreakfasted，Ihaven”t。
PerhapswhileIambreakingmyfast，youwouldliketosummontherepresentativesoflawandorder。”Bobcamein。Iorderedbreakfast。ThenIturnedtoPugh。“Isthereanythingyouwouldlike？“
“No，I——I”vebreakfasted。”
“Itwasn”tofbreakfastIwasthinking。Itwasof——somethingelse。
Bobisatyourservice，if，forinstance，youwishtosendhimonanerrand。”
“No，Iwantnothing。Bobcango。”Bobwent。Directlyhewasgone，Pughturnedtome。“Youshallhavehalf。Whatwasinthebox？“
“Ishallhavehalf？“
“Youshall！“
“Idon”tthinkitisnecessarythatthetermsofourlittleunderstandingshouldbeexpresslyembodiedinblackandwhite。I
fancythat，underthecircumstance，Icantrustyou，Pugh。I
believethatIamcapableofseeingthat，inthismatter，youdon”tdome。Thatwasinthebox。”
Iheldoutthecrystalbetweenmyfingerandthumb。
“Whatisit？“
“ThatiswhatIdesiretolearn。”
“Letmelookatit。”
“Youarewelcometolookatitwhereitis。Lookatitaslongasyoulike，andasclosely。”
Pughleanedovermyhand。Hiseyesbegantogleam。Heishimselfnotabadjudgeofpreciousstones，isPugh。
“It”s——it”s——Tress！——isitadiamond？“
“ThatquestionIhavealreadyaskedmyself。”
“Letmelookatit！Itwillbesafewithme！It”smine！“
Iimmediatelyputthethingbehindmyback。
“Pardonme，itbelongsneithertoyounortome。Itbelongs，inallprobability，tothepersonwhosoldthatpuzzletothemanfromwhomyouboughtit——perhapssomeweepingwidow，Pugh，orhopelessorphan——thinkofit。Letushavenofurthermisunderstandinguponthatpoint，mydearoldfriend。Still，becauseyouaremydearoldfriend，Iamwillingtotrustyouwiththisdiscoveryofmine，onconditionthatyoudon”tattempttoremoveitfrommysight，andthatyoureturnittomethemomentIrequireyou。”
“You”re——you”reveryhardonme。”Imadeamovementtowardmywaistcoatpocket。“I”llreturnittoyou！“
Ihandedhimthecrystal，andwithitIhandedhimmypocketlens。
“WiththeaidofthatglassIimaginethatyouwillbeabletosubjectittoamoreacuteexamination，Pugh。”
Hebegantoexamineitthroughthelens。Directlyhedidso，hegaveanexclamation。Inafewmomentshelookedupatme。Hiseyeswereglisteningbehindhisspectacles。Icouldseehetrembled。
“Tress，it”s——it”sadiamond，aBrazildiamond。It”sworthafortune！“
“I”mgladyouthinkso。”
“GladIthinkso！Don”tyouthinkthatit”sadiamond？“
“Itappearstobeadiamond。UnderordinaryconditionsIshouldsay，withouthesitation，thatitwasadiamond。ButwhenI
considerthecircumstancesofitsdiscovery，Iamdriventodoubts。
Howmuchdidyougiveforthatpuzzle，Pugh？“
“Ninepence；thefellowwantedashilling，butIgavehimninepence。
Heseemedcontent。”
“Ninepence！Doesitseemreasonablethatweshouldfindadiamond，which，ifitisadiamond，isthefineststoneIeversawandhandled，inaninepennypuzzle？Itisnotasthoughithadgotintothethingbyaccident，ithadevidentlybeenplacedtheretobefound，and，apparently，byanyonewhochancedtosolvethepuzzle；witnessthewritingonthescrapofpaper。”
Pughre-examinedthecrystal。
“Itisadiamond！I”llstakemylifethatit”sadiamond！“
“Still，thoughitbeadiamond，Ismellarat！“
“Whatdoyoumean？“
“Istronglysuspectthatthepersonwhoplacedthatdiamondinsidethatpuzzleintendedtohaveajokeattheexpenseofthepersonwhodiscoveredit。WhatwastobethenatureofthejokeismorethanIcansayatpresent，butIshouldliketohaveabetwithyouthatthemanwhocompoundedthatpuzzlewasaningeniouspracticaljoker。Imaybewrong，Pugh；weshallsee。But，untilIhaveprovedthecontrary，Idon”tbelievethatthemaddestmanthateverlivedwouldthrowawayadiamondworth，apparently，shallwesayathousandpounds？“
“Athousandpounds！Thisdiamondisworthagooddealmorethanathousandpounds。”
“Well，thatonlymakesmycasethestronger；Idon”tbelievethatthemaddestmanthateverlivedwouldthrowawayadiamondworthmorethanathousandpoundswithsuchutterwantonnessasseemstohavecharacterizedtheactionoftheoriginalownerofthestonewhichIfoundinyourninepennypuzzle，Pugh。”
“Therehavebeensomeeccentriccharactersintheworld，someveryeccentriccharacters。However，asyousay，weshallsee。IfancythatIknowsomebodywhowouldbequitewillingtohavesuchadiamondasthis，andwho，moreover，wouldbewillingtopayafairpriceforitspossession；Iwilltakeittohimandseewhathesays。”
“Pugh，handmebackthatdiamond。”
“MydearTress，Iwasonlygoing”
Bobcameinwiththebreakfasttray。
“Pugh，youwilleitherhandmethatatonce，orBobshallsummontherepresentativesoflawandorder。”
Hehandedmethediamond。Isatdowntobreakfastwithaheartyappetite。Pughstoodandscowledatme。
“JosephTress，itismysolemnconviction，andIhavenohesitationinsayingsoinplainEnglish，thatyou”reathief。”
“MydearPugh，itseemstomethatweshoweverypromiseofbecomingacoupleofthieves。”
“Don”tbracketmewithyou！“
“Notatall，youareworsethanI。Itisyouwhodeclinetoreturnthecontentsoftheboxtoitsproperowner。Putittoyourself，youhaveSOMEcommonsense，mydearoldfriendI——doyousupposethatadiamondworthmorethanathousandpoundsistobeHONESTLY
boughtforninepence？“
Heresumedhisoldtrickofdancingabouttheroom。
“Iwasafoolevertoletyouhavethebox！Ioughttohaveknownbetterthantohavetrustedyou；goodnessknowsyouhavegivenmesufficientcausetomistrustyou！Overandoveragain！Yourcharacterisonlytoonotorious！Youhaveplunderedfriendandfoealike——friendandfoealike！Asfortherubbishwhichyoucallyourcollection，ninetenthsofit，Iknowasapositivefact，youhavestolenoutandout。”
“WhostolemySirWalterRaleighpipe？Wasn”titamannamedPugh？“
“Lookhere，JosephTress！“
“I”mlooking。”
“Oh，it”snogoodtalkingtoyou，nottheleast！You”re——you”redeadtoallthepromptingsofconscience！MayIinquire，Mr。
Tress，whatitisyouproposetodo？“
“IPROPOSEtodonothing，exceptsummontherepresentativesoflawandorder。Failingthat，mydearPugh，Ihadsomefaint，vague，veryvagueideaoftakingthecontentsofyourninepennypuzzletoacertainfirminHattonGarden，whoaredealersinpreciousstones，andtolearnfromthemiftheyaredisposedtogiveanythingforit，andifso，what。”
“Ishallcomewithyou。”
“Withpleasure，onconditionthatyoupaythecab。”
“Ipaythecab！Iwillpayhalf。”
“Notatall。Youwilleitherpaythewholefare，orelseIwillhaveonecabandyoushallhaveanother。Itisathree-shillingcabfarefromheretoHattonGarden。Ifyouproposetosharemycab，youwillbesogoodastohandoverthatthreeshillingsbeforewestart。”
Hegasped，buthehandedoverthethreeshillings。TherearefewthingsIenjoysomuchasgettingmoneyoutofPugh！
OntheroadtoHattonGardenwewranglednearlyalltheway。IownthatIfeelacertainsatisfactioninirritatingPugh，heissuchanirritableman。HewantedtoknowwhatIthoughtweshouldgetforthediamond。
“Youcan”texpecttogetmuchforthecontentsofaninepennypuzzle，noteventhepriceofacabfare，Pugh。”
Heeyedme，butforsomeminuteshewassilent。Thenhebeganagain。
“Tress，Idon”tthinkweoughttoletitgoforlessthan——thanfivethousandpounds。”
“Seriously，Pugh，Idoubtwhether，whenthewholeaffairisended，weshallgetfivethousandpenceforit，or，forthematterofthat，fivethousandfarthings。”
“Butwhynot？Whynot？It”samagnificentstone——magnificent！
I”llstakemylifeonit。”
Itappedmybreastwiththetipsofmyfingers。
“There”sawarningvoicewithinmybreastthatoughttobeinyours，Pugh！Somethingtellsme，perhapsitistheunusuallystrongveinofcommonsensewhichIpossess，thatthecontentsofyourninepennypuzzlewillbefoundtobeamagnificentdo——aningeniouspracticaljoke，myfriend。”
“Idon”tbelieveit。”
ButIthinkhedid；atanyrate，Ihadunsettledthefoundationsofhisfaith。
WeenteredtheHattonGardenofficesidebyside；inhisanxietynottoletmegetbeforehim，Pughactuallyclungtomyarm。Theofficewasdividedintotwopartsbyacounterwhichranfromwalltowall。Iadvancedtoamanwhostoodontheothersideofthiscounter。
“Iwanttosellyouadiamond。”
“WEwanttosellyouadiamond，“interpolatedPugh。
IturnedtoPugh。I“fixed“himwithmyglance。
“Iwanttosellyouadiamond。Hereitis。Whatwillyougivemeforit？“
TakingthecrystalfrommywaistcoatpocketIhandedittothemanontheothersideofthecounter。Directlyhegotitbetweenhisfingers，andsawthatitwasthathehadgot，Inoticedasuddengleamcomeintohiseyes。
“Thisis——thisisratherafinestone。”
Pughnudgedmyarm。
“Itoldyouso。”IpaidnoattentiontoPugh。“Whatwillyougivemeforit？“
“Doyoumean，whatwillIgiveyouforitcashdownuponthenail？“
“Justso——whatwillyougivemeforitcashdownuponthenail？“
Themanturnedthecrystaloverandoverinhisfingers。“Well，that”sratheralargeorder。Wedon”toftengetachanceofbuyingsuchastoneasthisacrossthecounter。Whatdoyousayto——well——
totenthousandpounds？“
Tenthousandpounds！Itwasbeyondmywildestimaginings。Pughgasped。Helurchedagainstthecounter。
“Tenthousandpounds！“heechoed。
Themanontheothersideglancedathim，Ithought，alittlecuriously。
“Ifyoucangivemereferences，orsatisfymeinanywayastoyourbonafides，Iampreparedtogiveyouforthisdiamondanopencheckfortenthousandpounds，orifyoupreferit，thecashinstead。”
Istared；Iwasnotaccustomedtoseebusinesstransactedonquitesuchlinesasthose。
“We”lltakeit，“murmuredPugh；Ibelievehewastoomuchovercomebyhisfeelingstodomorethanmurmur。Iinterposed。
“Mydearsir，youwillexcusemysayingthatyouarriveveryrapidlyatyourconclusions。Inthefirstplace，howcanyoumakesurethatitisadiamond？“
Themanbehindthecountersmiled。
“Ishouldbeveryill-fittedforthepositionwhichIholdifI
couldnottelladiamonddirectlyIgetasightofit，especiallysuchastoneasthis。”
“Buthaveyounotestsyoucanapply？“
“Wehavetestswhichweapplyincasesinwhichdoubtexists，butinthiscasethereisnodoubtwhatever。IamassurethatthisisadiamondasIamsurethatitisairIbreathe。However，hereisatest。”
Therewasawheelclosebythespeaker。Itwasworkedbyatreadle。Itwasmorelikeasuperiorsortoftraveling-tinker”sgrindstonethananythingelse。Themanbehindthecounterputhisfootuponthetreadle。Thewheelbegantorevolve。Hebroughtthecrystalintocontactwiththeswiftlyrevolvingwheel。Therewasas——s——sh！And，inaninstant，hishandwasempty；thecrystalhadvanishedintoair。
“Goodheavens！“hegasped。Ineversawsuchalookofamazementonahumancountenancebefore。“It”ssplintered！“
POSTSCRIPT
ItWASadiamond，althoughitHADsplintered。Inthatfactlaythepointofthejoke。Themanbehindthecounterhadnotbeenwrong；
examinationofsuchdustascouldbecollectedprovedthatfactbeyondadoubt。Itwasdeclaredbyexpertsthatthediamond，atsomeperiodofitshistory，hadbeensubjectedtointenseandcontinuingheat。Theresulthadbeentomakeitasbrittleasglass。
Therecouldbenodoubtthatitsoriginalownerhadbeenanexperttoo。Heknewwherehegotitfrom，andheprobablyknewwhatithadendured。Hewasawarethat，fromamercantilepointofview，itwasworthless；itcouldneverhavebeencut。So，havingaturnforhumorofapeculiarkind，hehaddevoteddays，andweeks，andpossiblymonths，totheconstructionofthatpuzzle。Hehadplacedthediamondinside，andhehadenjoyed，inanticipationandinimagination，theAlnascharvisionsoftheluckyfinder。
Pughblamedmeforthecatastrophe。Hesaid，andstillsays，thatifIhadnot，inameasure，andquitegratuitously，insistedonatest，themanbehindthecounterwouldhavebeensatisfiedwiththeevidenceofhisorgansofvision，andweshouldhavebeenricherbytenthousandpounds。ButIsatisfymyconsciencewiththereflectionthatwhatIdidatanyratewashonest，though，atthesametime，IamperfectlywellawarethatsuchareflectiongivesPughnosortofsatisfaction。
TheGreatValdezSapphireIknowmoreaboutitthananyoneelseintheworld，itspresentownernotexcepted。Icangiveitswholehistory，fromtheCingalesewhofoundit，theSpanishadventurerwhostoleit，thecardinalwhoboughtit，thePopewhograciouslyacceptedit，thefavoredsonoftheChurchwhoreceivedit，thegayandgiddyduchesswhopawnedit，downtotheeminentprelatewhonowholdsitintrustasafamilyheirloom。
Itwilloccupyachaptertoitselfinmyforthcomingworkon“HistoricStones，“wherefulldetailsofitsweight，size，color，andvaluemaybefound。AtpresentIamgoingtorelateanincidentinitshistorywhich，forobviousreasons，willnotbepublished——which，infact，Itrustthereaderwillconsiderrelatedinstrictconfidence。
IhadneverseenthestoneitselfwhenIbegantowriteaboutit，anditwasnottilloneeveninglastspring，whilestayingwithmynephew，SirThomasActon，thatIcamewithinmeasurabledistanceofit。Adinnerpartywasimpending，and，atmyinstigation，theBishopofNorthchurchandMissPanton，hisdaughterandheiress，wereamongtheinvitedguests。
Thedinnerwasaparticularlygoodone，Irememberthatdistinctly。
Infact，Ifeltmyselfpartlyresponsibleforit，havingengagedthenewcook——atalentedyoungItalian，pupiloftheadmirableoldchefatmyclub。Wehadgoneoverthemenucarefullytogether，witharesultrefreshinginitsnovelty，butnotsodaringastodisturbthemindsoftheinnocentcountryguestswhowerebiddenthereto。
Thefirstspoonfulofsoupwasreassuring，andIlookedtotheendofthetabletoexchangeacongratulatoryglancewithLeta。Whatwasamiss？Noresponse。Herprettyfacewasflushed，hersmileconstrained，shewastalkingwithquiteunnecessaryempressementtoherneighbor，SirHarryLandor，thoughLetaisoneofthosefewwomenwhounderstandtheimportanceoflettingamansettledowntranquillyandwithanundisturbedmindtothebusinessofdining，allowingnotopicofseriousinteresttocomeonbeforethereleves，andreservingmereconversationalbrilliancyfortheentremets。
Guestsallright？Nodisappointments？Ihadgonethroughthelistwithher，selectingjusttherightpeopletobeaskedtomeettheLandors，ournewneighbors。Notamerecumbrouscountygathering，noryetashowyimportedpartyfromtown，butaskillfulblendingofboth。Hadanythinghappenedalready？Ihadbeenlatefordinnerandmissedthearrivalsinthedrawing-room。ItwasLeta”sfault。Shehasgotintoawayofcomingintomyroomandputtingthelasttouchestomytoilet。Ilether，forIamdoubtfulofmyselfnowadaysaftermanyyears”dependenceonthebestofvalets。
Hertasteisgenerallybeyonddispute，butto-dayshehadindulgedinafemininevagarythatprovokedmeandmademelatefordinner。
“Areyougoingtowearyoursapphire，UnclePaul！“shecriedinatoneofdismay。“Oh，whynottheruby？“
“YouWOULDhaveyourwayaboutthetabledecorations，“Igentlyremindedher。“withthatserviceofCrownDerbyrepousseandorchids，therubywouldlookabsolutelybarbaric。NowifyouwouldhavehadtheLimogesset，whitecandles，andayellowsilkcenter”
“Oh，but——I”mSOdisappointed——Iwantedthebishoptoseeyourruby——oroneofyourengravedgems”
“Mydear，itisonthebishop”saccountIputthison。YouknowhisdaughterisheiressofthegreatValdezsapphire”
“Ofcoursesheis，andwhenhehasthechargeofastonethreetimesasbigasyours，what”stheuseofwearingit？Theruby，dearUnclePaul，PLEASE！“
ShewasdesperatelyinearnestIcouldsee，andconsideringtheobligationswhichIamsupposedtobeundertoherandTom，itwasbutalittlemattertoyield，butitinvolvedagooddealofextratrouble。Studs，sleeve-links，watch-guard，allcarefullyselectedtogowiththesapphire，hadtobechanged，theemeraldwhichI
choseasacompromiserequiringmorefloridaccompanimentsofadeepertoneofgold；andthedinnerhourstruckasIreplacedmyjewelcase，theonerelicleftmeofaoncehandsomefortune，inmyfireproofsafe。
Theemeraldlookedverywellthatevening，however。IkeptmyeyesuponitforcomfortwhenMissPantonprovedtrying。
Shewasalean，yellow，dictatorialyoungpersonwithnoconversation。Ispokeofherfather”scelebratedsapphires。“MY
sapphires，“sheamendedsourly；“thoughIamlegallydebarredfrommakinganyprofitableuseofthem。”Shefurthermoreinformedmethatsheviewedthemasuselessgauds，whichoughttobedisposedofforthebenefitoftheheathen。Igavethesubjectup，andwhileshediscoursedoftheworkoftheBlueRibbonArmyamongtheBosjesmansItriedtounderstandacertaindislocationinthearrangementofthetable。Surelyweweremoreorlessinnumberthanweshouldbe？Oppositesideallright。Whowasextraonours？Ileanedforward。LadyLandorononesideofTom，ontheotherwho？Icaughtglimpsesofplumespinkandgreennoddingoveradinnerplate，andbeneaththemapinknoseinagreenvisagewithanutcrackerchinaltogetherunknowntome。Asharpgrayeyeshotasidewayglancedownthetableandcaughtmepeeping，andI
retreated，havingonlymarkedinadditiontwoclawlikehands，withpointedrufflesandamassofbrilliantrings，makinggoodplaywithaknifeandfork。Whowasshe？AtintervalsahighacidvoicecouldbeheardaddressingTom，andalaughthatmademeshudder；ithadthequalityofthescreamofabirdofpreyortheyellofajackal。Ihadheardthatsortoflaughbefore，anditalwaysmademefeellikeadefenselessrabbit。
EverytimeitsoundedIsawLeta”sfanfluttermorefuriouslyandhermannergrowmorenervouslyanimated。Poordeargirl！Ineverinallmyrecollectionwishedadinneratanendsoearnestlysoastoassureherofmysupportandsympathy，thoughwithoutthefaintestconceptionwhyeithershouldberequired。
Theicesatlast。Amenucardfoldedintwowaslaidbesideme。I
readitunobserved。“KeeptheB。fromjoiningusinthedrawing-
room。”TheB。？Thebishop，ofcourse。Withpleasure。Butwhy？
Andhow？THAT”Sthequestion，nevermind“why。”CouldIlurehimintothelibrary——thebilliardroom——theconservatory？Idoubtedit，andIdoubtedstillmorewhatIshoulddowithhimwhenIgothimthere。
Thebishopisagrandandstatelyecclesiasticofthemediaevaltype，broad-chested，deep-voiced，martialofbearing。Icouldpicturehimchargingmaceinhandattheheadofhisvassals，ordeliveringoveradissenteroftheperiodtotherackandthumbscrew，butnotpotteringamongrareeditions，tallcopiesandGrolierbindings，norcondescendingtoaquietcigaramongthetreefernsandorchids。Letamustandshouldbeobeyed，Iswore，nevertheless，evenifIweredriventolockthedoorinthefearlessoldfashionofabygoneday，anddeclareI”dshootanymanwholeftwhileadropremainedinthebottles。
Theladieswererising。TheladyattheheadofthelinesmirkedandnoddedherpinkplumescoquettishlyatTom，whileherhawk”seyesrovedkeenandpredatoryoverusall。Shestoppedsuddenly，creatingablockandconfusion。
“Ah，thedearbishop！YOUthere，andIneversawyou！Youmustcomeandhaveanicelongchatpresently。By-by——！“Sheshookherfanathimovermyshoulderandtrippedoff。Leta，passingmelast，gavemealookofprofounddespair。
“LadyCarwitchet！“somebodyexclaimed。“Icouldn”tbelievemyeyes。”
“Thoughtshewasdeadorinpenalservitude。NevershouldhaveexpectedtoseeherHERE，“saidsomeoneelsebehindmeconfidentially。
“WhatCarwitchet？NotthemotheroftheCarwitchetwho”
“Justso。TheCarwitchetwho-”Tomassentedwithashrug。“Weneedn”tgofarther，asshe”smyguest。Justmyluck。ImetthematBuxton，thoughtthemuncommonlygoodcompany——infact，CarwitchetlaidmeunderagreatobligationaboutahorseIwasnearlyletinforbuying——andgavethemageneralinvitationhere，asonedoes，youknow。Neverexpectedhertoturnupwithherluggagethisafternoonjustbeforedinner，tostayaweek，orafortnightifCarwitchetcanjoinher。”Agroanofsympathyranroundthetable。“Itcan”tbehelped。I”vetoldyouthisjusttoshowthatIshouldn”thaveaskedyouheretomeetthissortofpeopleofmyownfreewill；but，asitis，pleasesaynomoreaboutthem。”Thesubjectwasnotdroppedbyanymeans，andItookcarethatitshouldnotbe。Atourendofthetableonestoryafteranotherwentbuzzinground——sottovoce，outofdeferencetoTom——
butperfectlyaudible。
“Carwitchet？Ah，yes。MixedupinthatRawlingsdivorcecase，wasn”the？Abadlot。TurnedoutoftheDragoonGuardsforcheatingatcards，orpickingpockets，orsomething——remembertherowattheCeruleanClub？Scandalousexposure——andthatforgedletterbusiness——oh，thatwasthemother——prosecutionhushedupsomehow。Oughttobeservingherfourteenyears——andthatbusinessofpoorFarrars，thebanker——gotholdofsomeofhissecretsandblackmailedhimtillheblewhisbrainsout”
ItwassoexcitingthatIcleanforgotthebishop，tillalowgaspatmyelbowstartledme。Hewaslyingbackinhischair，hismightyshavenjowlaghastlywhite，hisfierceimperiouseyebrowsdroopinglimpoverhisfishlikeeyes，hissplendidfigureshrunkandcontracted。Hewastryingwithashakenhandtopouroutwine。
Thedecanterclatteredagainsttheglassandthewinespilledonthecloth。
“I”mafraidyoufindtheroomtoowarm。Shallwegointothelibrary？“
Herosehastilyandfollowedmelikealamb。
Herecoveredhimselfoncewegotintothehall，andaffablyrejectedallmyproffersofbrandyandsoda——medicaladvice——
everythingelsemylimitedexperiencecouldsuggest。Heonlydemandedhiscarriage“directly“andthatMissPantonshouldbesummonedforthwith。
ImadethebestuseIcouldofthetimeleftme。
“I”muncommonlysorryyoudonotfeelequaltostayingalittlelonger，mylord。Icountedonshowingyoumyfewtriflesofpreciousstones，thesalvagefromthewreckofmypossessions。
Nothingincomparisonwithyourowncollection。”
Thebishopclaspedhishandoverhisheart。Hisbreathcameshortandquick。
“Areturnofthatdizziness，“heexplainedwithafaintsmile。
“YouarethinkingoftheValdezsapphire，areyounot？Someday，“
hewentonwithforcedcomposure，“Imayhavethepleasureofshowingittoyou。Itisatmybanker”sjustnow。”
MissPanton”sstepswereheardintheball。“Youarewellknownasaconnoisseur，Mr。Acton，“hewentonhurriedly。“Isyourcollectionvaluable？Ifso，keepitsafe；don”ttrustaringoffyourhand，orthekeyofyourjewelcaseoutofyourpockettillthehouseisclearagain。”Thewordsrushedfromhislipsinanimpetuouswhisper，hegavemeameaningglance，anddepartedwithhisdaughter。Iwentbacktothedrawing-room，myheadswimmingwithbewilderment。
“What！Thedearbishopgone！“screamedLadyCarwitchetfromthecentralottomanwhereshesat，surroundedbymostofthegentlemen，allapparentlywellentertainedbyherconversation。“AndIwantedtotalkoveroldtimeswithhimsobadly。Hispoorwifewasmygreatestfriend。MiraMontanaro，daughterofthegreatbanker，youknow。It”snotpossiblethatthatmiserablelittleprigismypoorMira”sgirl。TheheiressofalltheMontanarosinablacklacegownworthtwopence！WhenIthinkofhermother”sbeautyandhertoilets！Doessheeverwearthesapphires？Hasanyoneeverseenherinthem？Elevenlargestonesinalovelyantiquesetting，andthegreatValdezsapphire——worththousandsandthousands——forthependant。”Noonereplied。“Iwantedtogetariseoutofthebishopto-night。ItusedtomakehimsomadwhenIworethis。”
Shefumbledamongthelacesatherthroat，andclawedoutapendantthathungtoavelvetbandaroundherneck。Ifairlygaspedwhensheremovedherhand。Asapphireofirregularshapeflashedoutitsbluelightningonus。Suchastone！Atrue，rich，cornflowerblueevenbythatwretchedartificiallight，withsoftvelvetydepthsofcoloranddazzlingclearnessoftintinitslightsandshades——astonetoremember！Istretchedoutmyhandinvoluntarily，butLadyCarwitchetdrewbackwithacoquettishsqueal。“No！no！Youmustn”tlookanycloser。Tellmewhatyouthinkofitnow。Isn”titpretty？“
“Superb！“wasallIcouldejaculate，staringattheazuresplendorofthatmiraculousjewelinasortoftrance。
Shegaveashrillcacklinglaughofmockery。
“ThegreatMr。ActontakeninbyabitofPalaisRoyalgimcrackery！
WhatanadvertisementforBogaertsetCie！Theyareperfectartistsinfrauds。Don”tyouremembertheirstandatthefirstParisExhibition？Theyhadimitationsthereofeverycelebratedstone；butIneverexpectedanythingmadebymancoulddeludeMr。
Acton，never！“Andshewentoffintoanothermockingcackle，andalltheidiotsroundherhaw-hawedknowingly，asiftheyhadseenthejokeallalong。Iwastoobewilderedtoreply，whichwasonthewholelucky。“IsupposeImustn”ttellwhyIcametogivequiteabigsuminfrancsforthis？“shewenton，tappingherclosedlipswithherclosedfan，andcockinghereyeatusalllikeaparrotwantingtobecoaxedtotalk。“It”saqueerstory。”
Ididn”twanttohearheranecdote，especiallyasIsawshewantedtotellit。WhatIDIDwantwastoseethatpendantagain。Shehadthrustitbackamongherlaces，onlytheloopwhichheldittothevelvetbeingvisible。Itwassetwiththreesmallsapphires，andevenfromadistanceIclearlymadethemouttobeimitations，andpoorones。Ifeltaqueerthrillofself-mistrust。Wasthelargestonenobetter？CouldI，evenforaninstant，havebeendazzledbyasham，andashamofthatquality？Theeventsoftheeveninghadflurriedandconfusedme。Iwishedtothinkthemoverinquiet。Iwouldgotobed。
MyroomsattheManorarethebestinthehouse。Letawillhaveitso。Imustexplaintheirpositionforareasontobeunderstoodlater。Mybedroomisinthesoutheastangleofthehouse；itopensononesideintoasitting-roomintheeastcorridor，therestofwhichistakenupbythesuiteofroomsoccupiedbyTomandLeta；
andontheothersideintomybathroom，thefirstroominthesouthcorridor，wheretheprincipalguestchambersare，tooneofwhichitwasoriginallythedressing-room。PassingthisroomInoticedacoupleofhousemaidspreparingitforthenight，anddiscoveredwithashiverthatLadyCarwitchetwastobemynext-doorneighbor。
Itgavemeaturn。
Thebishop”sstrangewarningmusthaveunnervedme。Iwasperfectlysafefromherladyship。Thedisuseddoorintoherroomwaslocked，andthekeysafeonthehousekeeper”sbunch。Itwasalsoundiscoverableonherside，therecessinwhichitstoodbeingcompletelyfilledbyalargewardrobe。Onmysidehungathicksound-proofportiere。Nevertheless，Iresolvednottousethatroomwhilesheinhabitedthenextone。Iremovedmypossessions，fastenedthedoorofcommunicationwithmybedroom，anddraggedaheavyottomanacrossit。
ThenIstowedawaymyemeraldinmystrong-box。Itisbuiltintothewallofmysitting-room，andmaskedbythelowerpartofanoldcarvedoakbureau。IputawayeventheringsIworehabitually，keepingoutonlyaninferiorcat”s-eyeforworkadaywear。IhadjustmadeallsafewhenLetatappedatthedoorandcameintowishmegoodnight。Shelookedflushedandharassedandreadytocry。
“UnclePaul，“shebegan，“Iwantyoutogouptotownatonce，andstayawaytillIsendforyou。”
“Mydear——！“Iwastooamazedtoexpostulate。
“We”vegota——apestilenceamongus，“shedeclared，herfoottappingthegroundangrily，“andtheleastwecandoistogointoquarantine。Oh，I”msosorryandsoashamed！Thepoorbishop！
I”lltakegoodcarethatnooneelseshallmeetthatwomanhere。
Youdidyourbestforme，UnclePaul，andmanagedadmirably，butitwasallnouse。Ihopedagainsthopethatwhatbetweentheduskofthedrawing-roombeforedinner，andbeingputatoppositeendsofthetable，wemightgetthroughwithoutameeting”
“But，mydear，explain。Whyshouldn”tthebishopandLadyCarwitchetmeet？Whyisitworseforhimthananyoneelse？“
“Why？Ithoughteverybodyhadheardofthatdreadfulwifeofhiswhonearlybrokehisheart。Ifhemarriedherforhermoneyitservedhimright，butLadyLandorsaysshewasveryhandsomeandreallyinlovewithhimatfirst。ThenLadyCarwitchetgotholdofherandledherintoallsortsofmischief。Sheleftherhusband——
hewasonlyarectorwithacountrylivinginthosedays——andwenttoliveintown，gotintoahorridfastset，andmadeherselfnotorious。YouMUSThaveheardofher。”
“Iheardofhersapphires，mydear。ButIwasinBrazilatthetime。”
“Iwishyouhadbeenathome。Youmighthavefoundherout。ShewasfuriousbecauseherhusbandrefusedtoletherwearthegreatValdezsapphire。IthadbeenintheMontanarofamilyforsomegenerations，andherfathersettleditfirstonherandthenonherlittlegirl——thebishopbeingtrustee。Hefeltobligedtotakeawaythelittlegirl，andsendherofftobebroughtupbysomeoldauntsinthecountry，andhelockedupthesapphire。LadyCarwitchettellsasasplendidjokehowtheygotthecopymadeinParis，anditdidjustaswellforthepeopletostareat。Nowonderthebishophatestheverynameofthestone。”
“Howlongwillshestayhere？“Iaskeddismally。
“TillLordCarwitchetcancomeandescorthertoParistovisitsomeAmericanfriends。Goodnessknowswhenthatwillbe！Dogouptotown，UnclePaul！“
Irefusedindignantly。TheveryleastIcoulddowastostandbymypooryoungrelativesintheirtroublesandhelpthemthrough。I
didso。Iworethatinferiorcat”seyeforsixweeks！
ItisatimeIcannotthinkofevennowwithoutashudder。ThemoreIsawofthatterribleoldwomanthemoreIdetestedher，andwesawaverygreatdealofher。Letakeptherword，andneitheracceptednorgaveinvitationsallthattime。WewerecutofffromallsocietybutthatofoldGeneralFairford，whowouldgoanywhereandmeetanyonetogetarubberafterdinner；thedoctor，asportingwidower；andtheDuberlys，agiddy，ratherracketyyoungcouplewhohadtakentheDowerHouseforayear。LadyCarwitchetseemedperfectlycontent。ShereveledinthesoftlivingandgoodfareoftheManorHouse，thedrivesinLeta”sbigbarouche，andDomenico”sdinners，asonetowhomshortcommonswerenotunknown。
Shehadahungrywayofgrabbingandgraspingateverythingshecould——theshillingsshewonatwhist，thebestfruitatdessert，thepostagestampsinthelibraryinkstand——thatwasinfinitelysuggestive。SometimesIcouldhavepitiedher，shewassogreedy，sospiteful，sofriendless。Shealwaysmademethinkofsomewickedoldpirateputtingintoapeacefulporttoprovisionandrepairhisbatteredoldhulk，obligedtoliveonfriendlytermswiththenatives，buthispiraticaloldnostrilsasniffforplunderandhispiraticaloldsoullongingtobeoffmaraudingoncemore。
Whenwouldthatbe？NottillthearrivalinParisofherdistinguishedAmericanfriends，ofwhomweheardagreatdeal。
“Charmingpeople，theBokumsofChicago，theAmericanbranchoftheEnglishBeauchamps，youknow！“Theyseemedtobetakinganunconscionabletimetogetthere。ShewouldhaveinsistedonbeingdrivenovertoNorthchurchtocallatthepalace，butthatthebishopwasunderstoodtobeholdingconfirmationsattheotherendofthediocese。
Iwasaloneinthehouseoneafternoonsittingbymywindow，toyingwiththekeyofmysafe，andwonderingwhetherIdaretreatmyselftoapeepatmytreasures，whenasuspiciousmovementintheparkbelowcaughtmyattention。Ablackfigurecertainlydodgedfrombehindonetreetothenext，andthenintotheshadowoftheparkpalinginsteadofkeepingtothefootpath。Itlookedqueer。I
caughtupmyfieldglassandmarkedhimatonepointwherehewasboundtocomeintotheopenforafewsteps。Hecrossedthestripofturfwithgiantstridesandgotintocoveragain，butnotquickenoughtopreventmerecognizinghim。Itwas——greatheavens！——thebishop！Inasofthatpulledoverhisforehead，withalongcloakandabigstick，helookedlikeapoacher。
GuidedbysomemysteriousinstinctIhurriedtomeethim。Iopenedtheconservatorydoor，andinherushedlikeahuntedrabbit。
WithoutexplanationIledhimupthewidestaircasetomyroom，wherehedroppedintoachairandwipedhisface。
“Youareastonished，Mr。Acton，“hepanted。“Iwillexplaindirectly。Thanks。”HetossedofftheglassofbrandyIhadpouredoutwithoutwaitingforthequalifyingsoda，andlookedbetter。
“Iaminserioustrouble。Youcanhelpme。I”vehadashockto-
day——agrievousshock。”Hestoppedandtriedtopullhimselftogether。“Imusttrustyouimplicitly，Mr。Acton，Ihavenochoice。Tellmewhatyouthinkofthis。”Hedrewacasefromhisbreastpocketandopenedit。“IpromisedyoushouldseetheValdezsapphire。Lookthere！“
TheValdezsapphire！Agreatbigshininglumpofbluecrystal——
flawlessandofperfectcolor——thatwasall。Itookitup，breathedonit，drewoutmymagnifier，lookedatitinonelightandanother。Whatwaswrongwithit？Icouldnotsay。Nineexpertsoutoftenwouldundoubtedlyhavepronouncedthestonegenuine。I，byvirtueofsomemysteriousinstinctthathashithertoalwaysguidedmearight，wastheunluckytenth。Ilookedatthebishop。Hiseyesmetmine。Therewasnoneedofspokenwordbetweenus。
“HasLadyCarwitchetshownyouhersapphire？“washismostunexpectedquestion。“Shehas？Now，Mr。Acton，onyourhonorasaconnoisseurandagentleman，whichofthetwoistheValdez？“
“Notthisone。”Icouldsaynaughtelse。
“Youweremylasthope。”Hebrokeoff，anddroppedhisfaceonhisfoldedarmswithagroanthatshookthetableonwhichherested，whileIstooddismayedatmyselfforhavingletsohastyajudgmentescapeme。Heliftedaghastlycountenancetome。“Shevowedshewouldseemeruinedanddisgraced。Imadehermyenemybycrossingsomeofherschemesonce，andsheneverforgives。Shewillkeepherword。Ishallappearbeforetheworldasafraudulenttrustee。
Icanneitherproducethevaluableconfidedtomychargenormakethelossgood。Ihaveonlyanincrediblestorytotell，“bedroppedhisheadandgroanedagain。“Whowillbelieveme？“
“Iwill，forone。”
“Ah，you？Yes，youknowher。Shetookmywifefromme，Mr。Acton。
HeavenonlyknowswhattheholdwasthatshehadoverpoorMira。
Sheencouragedhertosetmeatdefianceandeventuallytoleaveme。ShewasanswerableforallthescandalousfollyandextravaganceofpoorMira”slifeinParis——sparemethetellingofthestory。Sheleftheratlasttodiealoneanduncaredfor。I
reachedmywifetofindherdyingofafeverfromwhichLadyCarwitchetandhercrewhadfled。Shewasravingindelirium，anddiedwithoutrecognizingme。SometroubleshehadbeeninwhichI
mustneverknowoppressedher。Attheverylastsherousedfromalongstuporandspoketothenurse。”Tellhimtogetthesapphireback——shestoleit。Shehasrobbedmychild。”Thosewereherlastwords。ThenurseunderstoodnoEnglish，andtreatedthemaswandering；butIheardthem，andknewshewassanewhenshespoke。”
“Whatdidyoudo？“
“WhatcouldI？IsawLadyCarwitchet，wholaughedatme，anddefiedmetomakeherconfessordisgorge。Itookthependanttomorethanoneeminentjeweleronpretenseofhavingthesettingseento，andallhaveexaminedandadmiredwithoutgivingahintoftherebeinganythingwrong。Iallowedacelebratedmineralogisttoseeit；hegavenosign”
“Perhapstheyarerightandwearewrong。”
“No，no。Listen。IheardofanoldDutchmancelebratedforhisimitations。Iwenttohim，andhetoldmeatoncethathehadbeenallowedbyMontanarotocopytheValdez——settingandall——fortheParisExhibition。Ishowedhimthis，andheclaimeditforhisownworkatonce，andpointedouthisprivatemarkuponit。Youmusttakeyourmagnifiertofindit；aGreekBeta。HealsotoldmethathehadsoldittoLadyCarwitchetmorethanayearago。
“Itisaterribleposition。”
“Itis。Myco-trusteediedlately。Ihaveneverdaredtohaveanotherappointed。Iamboundtohandoverthesapphiretomydaughteronhermarriage，ifherhusbandconsentstotakethenameofMontanaro。”
Thebishop”sfacewasghastlypale，andthemoisturestartedonhisbrow。Irackedmybrainforsomewordofcomfort。
“MissPantonmaynevermarry。”
“Butshewill！“heshouted。“Thatistheblowthathasbeendealtmeto-day。Mychaplain——actually，mychaplain——tellsmethatheisgoingoutasatemperancemissionarytoequatorialAfrica，andhastheassurancetoaddthathebelievesmydaughterisnotindisposedtoaccompanyhim！“Hisconsummatingwrathactedasamomentarystimulant。Hesatupright，hiseyesflashingandhisbrowthunderous。Ifeltforthatchaplain。Thenhecollapsedmiserably。“Thesapphireswillhavetobeproduced，identified，revalued。HowshallIcomeoutofit？Thinkofthedisgrace，therippingupofoldscandals！EvenifIweretocompoundwithLadyCarwitchet，thesumshehintedatwastoomonstrous。Shewantsmorethanmymoney。Helpme，Mr。Acton！Forthesakeofyourownfamilyinterests，helpme！“
“Ibegyourpardon——familyinterests？Idon”tunderstand。”
“Ifmydaughterischildless，hernextofkinispoorMarmadukePanton，whoisdyingatCannes，notmarried，orlikelytomarry；
andfailinghim，yournephew，SirThomasActon，succeeds。”
MynephewTom！Leta，orLeta”sbaby，mightcometobethepossibleinheritorofthegreatValdezsapphire！ThebloodrushedtomyheadasIlookedatthegreatshiningswindlebeforeme。“Whatdiabolicjugglerywasatworkwhentheexchangewasmade？“I
demandedfiercely。
“ItmusthavebeenonthelastoccasionofherwearingthesapphiresinLondon。Ioughtnevertohaveletheroutofmysight“
“YoumustputastoptoMissPanton”smarriageinthefirstplace，“
Ipronouncedasautocraticallyashecouldhavedonehimself。
“Nottobethoughtof，“headmittedhelplessly。“Mirahasmyforceofcharacter。Sheknowsherrights，andshewillhaveherjewels。
Iwantyoutotakechargeofthe——thingforme。Ifit”sinthehouseshe”llmakemeproduceit。She”llinquireatthebanker”s。
IfYOUhaveitwecangaintime，ifbutforadayortwo。”Hebrokeoff。Carriagewheelswerecrashingonthegraveloutside。
Welookedatoneanotherinconsternation。Flightwasimperative。
Ihurriedhimdownstairsandoutoftheconservatoryjustasthedoorbellrang。Ithinkwebothlostourheadsintheconfusion。
Heshovedthecaseintomyhands，andIpocketedit，withoutathoughtoftheawfulresponsibilityIwasincurring，andsawhimdisappearintotheshelterofthefriendlynight。
WhenIthinkofwhatmyfeelingswerethatevening——ofmymurderoushatredofthatsmirking，jestingJezebelwhosatoppositemeatdinner，mywrathfulindignationatthethoughtofthepoorlittleexpectedheirdefraudederehisbirth；ofthecrushingcontemptI
feltformyselfandthebishopasapairofwitlessidiotsunabletoseeourwayoutofthedilemma；allthisboilingandsurgingthroughmysoul，Icanonlywonder——Domenicohavinggivenhimselfaholiday，andthekitchenmaiddoingherworstandwickedest——thatgoutorjaundicedidnotputanendtothisstoryatonce。
“UnclePaul！“Letawaslookinghersweetestwhenshetrippedintomyroomnextmorning。“I”venewsforyou。She，“pointingadelicateforefingerinthedirectionofthecorridor，“isgoing！
HerBokumshavereachedParisatlast，andsentforhertojointhemattheGrandHotel。”
Iwasthunderstruck。Thelonged-fordeliverancehadbutcometoremovehopelesslyandforeveroutofmyreachLadyCarwitchetandthegreatValdezsapphire。
“Why，aren”tyouoverjoyed？Iam。Wearegoingtocelebratetheeventbyadinnerparty。Tom”shospitablesoulisvexedbythelackofentertainmentwehadprovidedher。WemustasktheBrownleyssomedayorother，andtheywillbedelightedtomeetanythinginthewayofaladyship，orsuchsmartfolksastheDuberly-Parkers。ThenwemayaswellhavetheBlomfields，andairthatawfulmodernSevresdessertserviceshegaveuswhenweweremarried。”Ihadnoobjectiontomake，andshewenton，rubbinghersoftcheekagainstmyshoulderlikethepurringlittlecatshewas：
“NowIwantyoutodosomethingtopleaseme——andMrs。Blomfield。
Shehassetherheartonseeingyourrubies，andthoughIknowyouhateheraboutasmuchasyoudothatSevreschina”
“What！Wearmyrubieswiththat！Iwon”t。I”lltellyouwhatI
willdo，though。I”vegotsomecarbunclesasbigasprizegooseberries，awholeset。ThenyouhaveonlytoputthoseBohemianglassvasesandcandelabraonthetable，andletyourgardenerdohisworstwithhisgreatforced，scentless，vulgarblooms，andweshallallbeinkeeping。”Letapouted。Anideastruckme。“OrI”lldoasyouwish，ononecondition。YougetLadyCarwitchettowearherbigsapphire，anddon”ttellherIwishit。”
Ilivedthroughthenextfewdaysasoneinsomeevildream。Thesapphires，liketwinspecters，hauntedmedayandnight。Wasevermansotantalized？Toholdtheshadowandseethesubstancedangledtemptinglywithinreach。Thebishopmadenosignofriddingmeofmyunwelcomecharge，andthethoughtofwhatmighthappeninacaseofburglary——fire——earthquake——mademestartandtrembleatallsortsofinopportunemoments。
IkeptfaithwithLeta，andreluctantlyproducedmybeautifulrubiesonthenightofherdinnerparty。EmergingfrommyroomI
camefulluponLadyCarwitchetinthecorridor。Shewasdressedfordinner，andatherthroatIcaughtthebluegleamofthegreatsapphire。Letahadkeptfaithwithme。Idon”tknowwhatI
stammeredinreplytoherladyship”sremarks；mywholesoulwasabsorbedinthecontemplationoftheintoxicatinglovelinessofthegem。THATaPalaisRoyaldeception！Incredible！Myfingerstwitched，mybreathcameshortandfiercewiththelustofpossession。Shemusthaveseenthecovetousglareinmyeyes。A
lookofgratifiedspitefulcomplacencyoverspreadherfeatures，asshesweptonaheadanddescendedthestairsbeforeme。Ifollowedhertothedrawing-roomdoor。Shestoppedsuddenly，andmurmuringsomethingunintelligiblehurriedbackagain。
EverybodywasassembledtherethatIexpectedtosee，withanaddition。NotawelcomeonebythelookonTom”sface。Hestoodonthehearthrugconversingwithagreathulking，high-shoulderedfellow，sallow-faced，withaheavymustacheanddroopingeyelids，fromthecornersofwhichflashedoutasuddensuspiciouslookasI
approached，whichlightedupintoagreedyoneasitrestedonmyrubies，andseemedunaccountablyfamiliartome，tillLadyCarwitchettrippingpastmeexclaimed：
“Hehascomeatlast！Mynaughty，naughtyboy！Mr。Acton，thisismyson，LordCarwitchet！“
Ibrokeoffshortinthemidstofmypoliteacknowledgmentstostareblanklyather。Thesapphirewasgone！Agreatgiltcross，withaScotchpebblelikeanaciddrop，washersoledecoration。
“Ihadtoputmypendantaway，“sheexplainedconfidentially；“theclasphadgotbrokensomehow。”Ididn”tbelieveaword。
LordCarwitchetcontributedlittletothegeneralentertainmentatdinner，butfellintoconfidentialtalkwithMrs。Duberly-Parker。
Icaughtafewunintelligibleremarksacrossthetable。Theyreferred，Isubsequentlydiscovered，tothelady”slittlebookonNorthchurchraces，andIrecollectedthattheSpringMeetingwason，andto-morrow“CupDay。”AfterdinnertherewasgreattalkaboutgettingupapartytogoonGeneralFairford”sdrag。LadyCarwitchetwasinecstasiesandtriedtocoaxmeintojoining。
Letadeclinedpositively。Tomacceptedsulkily。
ThelookinLordCarwitchet”seyereturnedtomymindasIlockedupmyrubiesthatnight。Itmadehimlooksolikehismother！I
wentroundmyfasteningswithunusualcare。Safeandclosetsanddeskanddoors，Itriedthemall。Comingatlasttothebathroom，itopenedatonce。Itwasthehousemaid”sdoing。Shehadevidentlytakenadvantageofmyhavingabandonedtheroomtogiveit“athoroughspringcleaning，“andIanathematizedher。Thefurniturewasallpiledtogetherandveiledwithsheets，thecarpetandfeltcurtainweregone，therewerenewbroomsabout。AsI
peeredaround，avoicecloseatmyearmademejump——LadyCarwitchet”s！
“ItellyouIhavenothing，notapenny！IshallhavetoborrowmytrainfarebeforeIcanleavethis。They”llbegladenoughtolendit。”
Notonlyhadtheportierebeenremoved，butthedoorbehindithadbeenunlockedandleftopenforconvenienceofdustingbehindthewardrobe。Imightaswellhavebeeninthebedroom。
“Don”ttellme，“IrecognizedCarwitchet”sgrowl。“You”venotbeenhereallthistimefornothing。You”vebeencollectingforaKilburncotorgettingsubscriptionsforthedistressedIrishlandlords。Iknowyou。NowI”mnotgoingtoseemyselfruinedforthewantofapaltryhundredorso。Itellyouthecoltisadeadcertainty。IfIcouldhavegotathousandortwoonhimlastweek，wemighthaveendedourdogdaysmillionaires。Handoverwhatyoucan。You”vemoney”sworth，ifnotmoney。Where”sthatsapphireyoustole？“
“Ididn”t。Icanshowyouthereceiptedbill。AllIpossessishonestlycomeby。Whatcouldyoudowithit，evenifIgaveityou？Youcouldn”tsellitastheValdez，andyoucan”tgetitcutupasyoumightifitwerereal。”
“Ifit”sonlybogus，whyareyoualwaysinsuchaflutteraboutit？
I”lldosomethingwithit，neverfear。Handover。”
“Ican”t。Ihaven”tgotit。IhadtoraisesomethingonitbeforeIlefttown。”
“Willyouswearit”snotinthatwardrobe？Idaresayyouwill。I
meantosee。Givemethosekeys。”
Iheardastruggleandajingle，thenthewardrobedoormusthavebeenflungopen，forastreakoflightstruckthroughacrackinthewoodoftheback。Creepingcloseandpeepingthrough，Icouldseeanawfulsight。LadyCarwitchetinaflannelwrapper，minushair，teeth，complexion，pointingaskinnyforefingerthatquiveredwithrageatherson，whowasoutoftherangeofmyvision。
“Stopthat，andthrowthosekeysdownheredirectly，orI”llrousethehouse。SirThomasisamagistrate，andwilllockyouupassoonaslookatyou。”Sheclutchedatthebellropeasshespoke。
“I”llswearI”mindangerofmylifefromyouandgiveyouincharge。Yes，andwhenyou”reinprisonI”llkeepyoutheretillyoudie。I”veoftenthoughtI”ddoit。HowaboutthehotelrobberieslastsummeratCowes，eh？Mightn”tthepolicebegratefulforahintortwo？Andhowabout”
Thekeysfellwithacrashonthebed，accompaniedbysomebadlanguageinanapologetictone，andthedoorslammedto。Icrepttremblingtobed。
Thisnewandhorriblecomplicationofthesituationfilledmewithdismay。LordCarwitchet”swolfishglanceatmyrubiestookanewmeaning。Theyweresafeenough，Ibelieved——butthesapphire！Ifhedisbelievedhismother，howlongwouldshebeabletokeepitfromhisclutches？ThatshehadsomeplotofherownofwhichthebishopwouldeventuallybethevictimIdidnotdoubt，orwhyhadshenotmadeherbargainwithhimlongago？Butsupposingshetookfright，lostherhead，allowedhersontowrestthejewelfromher，orgaveconsenttoitsbeingmutilated，divided！Ilayinacoldperspirationtillmorning。
Myterrorshauntedmeallday。TheywerewithmeatbreakfasttimewhenLadyCarwitchet，trippinginsmiling，madealastattempttoinducemetoaccompanyherandkeepher“bad，badboy“fromgettingamong“thosehorridbettingmen。”
TheyhauntedmethroughthelongpeacefuldaywithLetaandthetete-a-tetedinner，buttheyswarmedaroundandbesetmesorestwhen，sittingaloneovermysitting-roomfire，Ilistenedforthereturnofthedragparty。Ireadmynewspaperandbrewedmyselfsomehotstrongdrink，buttherecomesatimeofnightwhennofirecanwarmandnodrinkcancheer。Thebishop”sdespairingfacekeptmecompany，andhistroublesandthewrongsofthefutureheirtookpossessionofme。Thentheuncannynoisesthatmakealloldhousesghostlyduringthesmallhoursbegantomakethemselvesheard。
Muffledfootstepstrodthecorridor，stoppingtolistenateverydoor，doorlatchesgentlyclicked，boardscreakedunreasonably，soundsofstealthymovementscamefromthelocked-upbathroom。Thewelcomecrashofwheelsatlast，andthesoundofthefront-doorbell。IcouldhearLadyCarwitchetmakinghershrilladieuxtoherfriendsandherstepsinthecorridor。Shewassoftlyhummingalittlesongassheapproached。Iheardherunlockherbedroomdoorbeforesheentered——anoddthingtodo。Tomcamesleepilystumblingtohisroomlater。Iputmyheadout。“WhereisLordCarwitchet？“
“Haven”tyouseenhim？Heleftushoursago。Notcomehome，eh？
Well，he”swelcometostayaway。Idon”twanttoseemoreofhim。”
Tom”sbrowwasdarkandhisvoicesurly。“Igavehimtounderstandasmuch。”Whateverhadhappened，Tomwasevidentlytoodisgustedtoexplainjustthen。
Iwentbacktomyfireunaccountablyrelieved，andbrewedmyselfanotherandastrongerbrew。Itwarmedmethistime，butexcitedmefoolishly。Theremustbesomewayoutofthedifficulty。I
feltnowasifIcouldalmostseeitifIgavemymindtoit。Why——
suppose——theremightbenodifficultyafterall！Thebishopwasanervousoldgentleman。Hemighthavebeenmistakenallthrough，Bogaertsmighthavebeenmistaken，Imight——no。Icouldnothavebeenmistaken——orIthoughtnot。IfidgetedandfumedandarguedwithmyselftillIfoundIshouldhavenopeaceofmindwithoutalookatthestoneinmypossession，andIactuallywenttothesafeandtookthecaseout。
Thesapphirecertainlylookeddifferentbylamplight。Isatandstared，andallbutover-persuadedmybetterjudgmentintogivingitaverdict。Bogaerts”smark——Isuddenlyrememberedit。Itookmymagnifierandheldthependanttothelight。There，scratcheduponthestone，wastheGreekBeta！Therecameataponmydoor，andbeforeIcouldanswer，thehandleturnedsoftlyandLordCarwitchetstoodbeforeme。Iwhippedthecaseintomydressing-
gownpocketandstaredathim。Hewasnotpleasanttolookat，especiallyatthattimeofnight。Hehadadisheveled，desperateair，hisvoicewashoarse，hisred-rimmedeyeswild。
“Ibegyourpardon，“hebegancivillyenough。“Isawyourlightburning，andthought，aswegobytheearlytrainto-morrow，youmightallowmetoconsultyounowonalittlebusinessofmymother”s。”Hiseyesrovedabouttheroom。Washetryingtofindthewhereaboutsofmysafe？“Youknowalotaboutpreciousstones，don”tyou？“
“Somyfriendsarekindenoughtosay。Won”tyousitdown？Ihaveunluckilylittlechanceofindulgingthetasteonmyownaccount，“
wasmycautiousreply。
“Butyou”vewrittenabookaboutthem，andknowthemwhenyouseethem，don”tyou？Nowmymotherhasgivenmesomething，andwouldlikeyoutogiveaguessatitsvalue。Perhapsyoucanputmeinthewayofdisposingofit？“
“Icertainlycandosoifitisworthanything。Isthatit？“I
wasinafeverofexcitement，forIguessedwhatwasclutchedinhispalm。HeheldouttometheValdezsapphire。
Howitshoneandsparkledlikeagreatbluestar！ImademyselfadeprecatingsmileasItookitfromhim，buthowdareIcallitfalsetoitsface？Aswellaccusethesuninheavenofbeingacheapimitation。Ifalteredandprevaricatedfeebly。Wherewasmymoralcourage，andwherewasthegood，honest，thumpingliethatshouldhaveaidedme？“IhavethebestauthorityforrecognizingthisasaverygoodcopyofafamousstoneinthepossessionoftheBishopofNorthchurch。”HisscowlgrewsoblackthatIsawhebelievedme，andIwentonmorecheerily：“ThiswasmanufacturedbyJohannesBogaerts——Icangiveyouhisaddress，andyoucanmakeinquiriesyourself——byspecialpermissionofthethenowner，thelateLeoneMontanaro。”
“Handitback！“heinterruptedhisotherremarkswereoutrageous，butsatisfactorytohear；butIwavedhimoff。Icouldn”tgiveitup。Itfascinatedme。Itoyedwithit，Icaressedit。Imadeitdisplayitsdifferenttonesofcolor。Imustseethetwostonestogether。Imustseeitoutshineitspaltryrival。Itwasawhimsicalfrenzythatseizedme——Icancallitbynoothername。
“Wouldyouliketoseetheoriginal？Curiouslyenough，Ihaveithere。Thebishophasleftitinmycharge。”
ThewolfishlightflamedupinCarwitchet”seyesasIdrewforththecase。HelaidtheValdezdownonasheetofpaper，andI
placedtheother，stillinitscase，besideit。Inthatmomenttheylookedidentical，exceptforthelittleloopofshamstones，replacedbyaplaingoldbandinthebishop”sjewel。Carwitchetleanedacrossthetableeagerly，thetablegavealurch，thelamptottered，crashedover，andwewereleftinsemidarkness。
“Don”tstir！“Carwitchetshouted。“Theparaffinisallovertheplace！“Heseizedmysofablanket，andflungitoverthetablewhileIstoodhelpless。“There，that”ssafenow。Haveyoucandlesonthechimney-piece？I”vegotmatches。”
Helookedverywhiteandexcitedashelitup。“Mighthavebeenanawkwardjobwithallthatburningparaffinrunningabout，“hesaidquitepleasantly。“Ihopenorealharmisdone。”Iwasliftingtherugwithshakinghands。ThetwostoneslayasIhadplacedthem。No！Inearlydroppeditbackagain。Itwasthestoneinthecasethathadtheloopwiththethreeshamsapphires！
Carwitchetpickedtheotheruphastily。“Soyousaythisisrubbish？“heasked，hiseyessparklingwickedly，andanattemptatmortificationinhistone。
“Utterrubbish！“Ipronounced，withtruthanddecision，snappingupthecaseandpocketingit。“LadyCarwitchetmusthaveknownit。”
“Ah，well，it”sdisappointing，isn”tit？Good-by，weshallnotmeetagain。”
Ishookhandswithhimmostcordially。“Good-by，LordCarwitchet。
SOgladtohavemetyouandyourmother。IthasbeenasourceoftheGREATESTpleasure，Iassureyou。”
IhaveneverseentheCarwitchetssince。Thebishopdroveovernextdayinratherbetterspirits。MissPantonhadrefusedthechaplain。
“Itdoesn”tmatter，mylord，“Isaidtohimheartily。“We”veallbeenundersomestrangemisconception。Thestoneinyourpossessionistheveritableone。Icouldsweartothatanywhere。
ThesapphireLadyCarwitchetwearsisonlyanexcellentimitation，and——Ihaveseenitwithmyowneyes——istheonebearingBogaerts”smark，theGreekBeta。”
End