earls, which I am certain you will find
are a wonderful bargain...."

"For the last time, madame, I do not want a wonderful bargain!"

The agent smiled curiously.

"There are some things which simply do not allow themselves to be
refused," she declared.... She now drew from her pocket a little
jewel-case; and, notwithstanding Thomery's unconcealed impatience,
opened it, and selected two pearls which she held out to him.

"Do examine these jewels! You are going to tell me that they are
perfectly beautiful, are you not, Monsieur Thomery?"

The diamond broker offered them so naturally that Thomery gave way. He
examined the pearls: he was a connoisseur.

"In truth, madame, these pearls are superb; unfortunately I am not
enough of an expert to buy them without taking competent advice, that is
if I thought of acquiring them eventually, but I repeat, I have no wish
to acquire such things!"

"Deuce take it!" thought Thomery. "This broker won't take 'no' for an
answer! Since I cannot rid myself of her by being pleasant, I shall make
myself disagreeable!"

But the would-be seller still insisted.

"Monsieur, you really cannot be a connoisseur, otherwise I am sure you
would not return these pearls to me."

"But, madame!..."

"And I am convinced that if Princess Sonia Danidoff had had them in her
hand instead of you, she would have been greatly taken with them!"

The broker had emphasised her words so strangely that, suddenly, Thomery
hesitated.

What did this mysterious visitor mean? What was it she considered so
"extraordinary" about the jewels she had just submitted to him?... A
suspicion flashed across his mind.

"Whence come these pearls, madame?"

But, at this question, the broker got up.

"Monsieur Thomery," declared she, "I should be very vexed with myself
were I to make you lose your evening ... your time is precious; besides,
in order to give you a proper answer to your question, I should have to
make certain of facts I only now guess at.... Still, I think that
without having told you anything definite, I have made you sufficiently
understand what is in my mind,... you will not now doubt the interest
that the Princess Sonia Danidoff would have, were she able to examine
these jewels...."

"Is that so?"

"Consequently, Monsieur Thomery, I am going to ask you if you will
kindly show these pearls to the Princess; and then if you will be good
enough to let me know what decision you come to, jointly with