? ? ? ?
" 'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my security.'
? ? ? ?
"I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some perplexity from it to my illustrious client.
? ? ? ?
" 'You doubt its value?' he asked.
? ? ? ?
" 'Not at all. I only doubt --'
? ? ? ?
" 'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?'
? ? ? ?
" 'Ample. '
? ? ? ?
" 'You understand, Mr.
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