Page:Tom Swift Among the Diamond Makers.djvu/61

Rh "What is the value of these stones?" asked Tom.

Mr. Roberts looked at his gem expert

"It is difficult to say," was the answer of the man who had handed Tom the gems. "They are so far superior to the usual run of diamonds, that I feel justified in saying that the cut one would bring fifteen hundred dollars, anywhere. In fact, I would offer that for it. The other is larger, though what it would lose in cutting would be hard to say. I should say it was worth two thousand dollars as it is now."

"Thirty-five hundred dollars for these two stones!" exclaimed Tom.

"They are worth every cent of it," declared Mr. Roberts. "Do you want to sell?"

Tom shook his head. He could scarcely believe the good news. Mr. Jenks had told the truth. Now the young inventor could go with him to seek the diamond makers.

"Can you get any more of these?" went on Mr. Roberts.

"I think so—that is I don't know—I am going to try," answered the lad.

"Then if you succeed I wish you would sell us some," fairly begged the proprietor of the store.

"I will," promised Tom, but he little knew