m. He noted that a white-bearded old
gentleman--doubtless the proprietor--was closely observing him from the
rear of the shop. Already the student had made up his plan of attack. He
would snatch the jewels and break for the door. He had left this door
ajar, on purpose.

The clerk came back with the necklace, which he laid on the moss-green
cloth that covered the show-case. Enrique hardly dared touch it.

"How much?" asked he.

"Fifteen thousand pesetas."

The student clacked his tongue, like a drinker savoring the state and
quality of good wine. The clerk added:

"I'm sure you've seen very few emeralds like these."

The white-bearded old gentleman had now come nearer. Saying nothing, he
slid his hands into his trouser pockets. His face looked grave and
puzzled. You would have thought his merchant soul had scented danger.
Darles gave him a glance. It was not yet too late. He still was honest.
There was still time for repentance.

The clerk set out a number of trays, and from these took various
necklaces. His way of handling them, of caressing them with careful
fingers, of spreading them out on the cloth, all showed his love of
jewels. There were diamond, turquoise, sapphire, topaz necklaces.

The student hesitated. A dizzying pleasure, bitter-sweet, enveloped this
nearness to crime. He kept asking:

"What's this one worth? And this?"

"This is very cheap. Two thousand pesetas."

"How about this ruby one?"

"Forty-five hundred."

Darles took them up, studied them carefully, put them down again.
Suddenly he felt his cheeks were growing very pale. To give himself
countenance he commented:

"This black pearl one is very beautiful."

"Yes, and it's more expensive, too. Ten thousand pesetas."

Suddenly the old gentleman, who till then had uttered no word, exclaimed
brusquely:

"Now then, I think you've talked enough!"

He turned to the clerk.

"Look out for these trays," he ordered.

Darles raised his head, and proudly looked the old man in the eyes, with
the hauteur of one still innocent.

"What are _you_ interfering for?" he demanded. "What's the idea?"

"We can't waste any more time on you," answered the jeweler. "If I'm not
mistaken, you're not overburdened with money."

He turned to his clerk again. The clerk stared in amaze. Imperatively
the old man ordered:

"I tell you to put these trays away!"

The student had not yet, perhaps, fully decided to steal. Perhaps
something good and sound