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 cleanest white. Two of the three solemn men were graybeards; one of these two wore silken robes striped like a barber's pole; and the other, whose majestic white beard hung to his waist, was in black and saffron, gloriously embroidered in orange, green, and gold. The third of the jewel merchants was a warped and wrinkled yellow person in an English frock coat, pale lilac trousers, an embroidered velvet waistcoat and a fez. The three paused aloof while Le Seyeux came forward.

Tinker became urgent in his plea to his wife. "Listen! I'll be upstairs in half an hour. I can't go now."

"Why can't you?"

"Well" He glanced toward the three merchants. "I got business with those gentlemen."

"Business!" Mrs. Tinker said angrily. "What's it about? A Fancy Dress Party?"

"Honest, I have, Honey," he insisted; and he was cunning enough to add mysteriously: "You might be sorry some day! I mean you might be sorry if you kept me from a conference with those gentlemen. Mightn't she, John?"

"I think it would be certain," Le Seyeux said, with laughter intentionally sly. "I am sure if you talk