of crystal, lay a little heap of gems that
flashed and gleamed like living fire.

"Recovering from my first emotions of astonishment and delight, I poured
forth the treasure into the hollow of my hand, and found it to be a
necklace of diamonds, as I could tell from the dazzling sparkle of the
stones despite their uncommon colour, which was blue, like the vault of
the sky or the eyes of the fair-skinned women of Circassia. Each stone
was cut with many facets, and all were strung together by a delicate
chain of gold, a solitary large stone in the centre, then smaller ones
on either side, each succeeding pair carefully matched as to size, and
constantly diminishing till the last were no bigger than grains of
millet. All the diamonds were of dazzling lustre and of the one uniform
tint, the blue that is so rare, and, as I gazed upon my treasure trove,
well could I believe that not such another necklace existed in any part
of the world, not even in the jewel caskets of the Great Padishah
himself, nor of the Kings of China or of Persia, nor of the Princes of
the Franks, who are reputed to have untold stores of diamonds, rubies,
topazes, and amethysts.

"For a time I was stricken dumb and motionless, from very fear of the
great wealth that reposed in my hollowed palm. Then did I replace the
necklace in its casket, and the casket in its receptacle within the body
of the bronze god, and, grasping the tusk, I drew forward once again the
elephant head, which, at my gentle pressure, rose easily on its pivot,
winding again the clicking wheels as it moved, and finally closing at
its accustomed place with a sharp snap but without any further sounding
of the gong, at which I was well pleased.

"Overcome with varied emotions, I sank down on the carpet, and, gazing
up at the idol, beheld the jewelled eyes once more twinkling at me,
merrily and mockingly.

"After an interval I withdrew from the chamber, securing the padlock on
the outside, and slipping back the artfully concealed panel that hid the
secret doorway from prying intruders. The corridor without led to the
women's quarters, through which I passed, vouchsafing word to no one. It
was only when I had gained the outer courtyard that I drew my breath
freely, and recovered my wonted tranquillity of mind and mien.

"Several days passed before I ventured again to visit the Ganapati, and
this at last I did in the full belief that the whole affair had been
naught but an idle dream.