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 master's hand, he rose up quick from his chair just as if we had tried to rob him.

"Well," said he, and there was a power of meaning in his tone—"well, M. le Comte, and what do your friends say?"

"That we must have a week to answer you definitely, but that, if we accept the stone, the price you ask will be paid."

The man heard him out, his features gradually relaxing in a smile.

"Nothing could be fairer," said he; "you have only to return me the diamond."

"Ah!" exclaimed. Sir Nicolas carelessly, "I should have explained to you that we are not alone in so large a venture as this. We have others to consult, and we propose that you leave the stone with us until we have their answer."

At this request, the whole look on Lobmeyr's face changed instantly. His eyes seemed to dart fire.

"M. le Comte," said he, "I do not leave this hotel without my diamond or the money for it."

He spoke the words slowly and firmly—but, to me hearing them, they came like a thunderclap. It was just as if he had snatched five thousand pounds from my hands and pitched them out of the window. What to do, what to say, I could not think. I simply stood and stared, imitating my master, whose tongue seemed stuck to his mouth. Meanwhile, Lobmeyr was beginning to work himself up—he