won't go before I come?"

"Not me," said the seaman bluntly. "When I say a thing I stick to it.
I don't haggle, and haggle, and--" he paused a moment for a word, "and
haggle," he concluded.

Left to himself, he smoked on contentedly, blandly undisturbed by the
fact that the assistant looked in at the door occasionally, to see that
things were all right. It was quite a new departure for Mr. Hyams
to leave his parlor to a stranger, and the assistant felt a sense of
responsibility so great that it was a positive relief to him when his
master returned, accompanied by another man.

"This is my friend," said Mr. Hyams, as they entered the parlor and
closed the door. "You might let him see the stone."

The seaman took off his belt again, and placing the diamond in his hand
held it before the stranger who, making no attempt to take it, turned it
over with his finger and examined it critically.

"Are you going to sea again just yet?" he inquired softly.

"Thursday night," said the seaman, "Five hundred is my price; p'raps he
told you. I'm not going to haggle."

"Just so, just so," said the other quietly. "It's worth five hundred."

"Spoke like a man," said the seaman warmly.

"I like to deal with a man who knows his own mind," said the stranger,
"it saves trouble. But if we buy it for that amount you must do one
thing for us. Keep quiet and don't touch a drop of liquor until you
sail, and not a word to anybody."

"You needn't be afraid o' the licker," said the sailor grimly. "I shan't
touch that for my own sake."

"He's a teetotaler," explained the pawnbroker.

"He's not," said the seaman indignantly.

"Why won't you drink, then?" asked the other man.

"Fancy," said the seaman dryly, and closed his mouth.

Without another word the stranger turned to the pawnbroker, who, taking
a pocket-book from his coat, counted out the amount in notes. These,
after the sailor had examined them in every possible manner, he rolled
up and put in his pocket, then without a word he took out the diamond
again and laid it silently on the table. Mr. Hyams, his fingers
trembling with eagerness, took it up and examined it delightedly.

"You've got it a bargain," said the seaman. "Good-night, gentlemen. I
hope, for your sakes, nobody'll know I've parted with it. Keep your eyes
open, and trust nobody. When you see black, smell mischief. I'm glad to
get rid of it."

He threw his head back, and, expanding his chest as though he already