Page:Marsh--The seen and the unseen.djvu/226

202 all directions, until, at a certain point, the stone will shiver—blow up, in fact. The thing may happen in ten minutes. It may not happen for months. It will happen some time or other, to a certainty. Any man who really knows something of diamonds will tell you that"

Mr. Ruby had sunk back in his seat He seemed ill at ease. "But—but can't we sell it to the Duke? It's the very stone he wants."

Mr. Golden smiled "We can sell it to the Duke if it lasts long enough. The attempt to cut it may bring about the smash. I've known it happen before to-day."

"We'll try, at any rate—we'll try! You may be wrong. Golden; I really think you may be."

"I may be." Mr. Golden's tone was grim.

"I'll have it put into hand at once. It's a glorious stone. One of the finest stones I've ever seen. It would be a bargain to anyone at—at ten thousand pounds."

II.—THE OTHER. "Hollo, Fungst!"

"Brooke!"

Unannounced Mr. Brooke had entered the room. He had taken Mr. Fungst unawares. Mr. Fungst stared at him amazed. He was a paunchy little man, with black, curly, well-greased hair, which he parted in the middle. Uninvited, his visitor took a chair.

"I've only just reached Paris. Left London this afternoon, and came straight on here."