ly.

"I'll have to state a fact that you all know, as part answer to that
question," replied Mr. Wynne. "A perfect diamond is a perfect
diamond, no matter where it comes from--Africa, Brazil, India or New
Jersey. There is not the slightest variation in value if the stone
is perfect. That being true, it is a matter of no concern to you, as
dealers, where these come from--sufficient it is that they are here,
and, being here, they bring home to you the necessity of concerted
action to uphold the diamond as a thing of value."

"You said der vorld's oudpud had been increased fiftyfold?" suggested
Mr. Schultze. "Do ve understand you prove him by dese?"

The young man smiled slightly and drew a leather packet from an inner
pocket. He stripped it of several rubber bands, and then turned to
Mr. Czenki again.

"Mr. Czenki, I have been told that a few years ago you had an
opportunity of examining the Koh-i-noor. Is that correct?"

"Yes."

"I believe the Koh-i-noor was temporarily removed from its setting,
and that you were one of three experts to whom was intrusted the
task of selecting four stones of the identical coloring to be set
alongside it?"

"That is correct," Mr. Czenki agreed.

"You held the Koh-i-noor in your hand, and you would be able to
identify it?"

"_I_ would be able to identify it," said Mr. Cawthorne positively.

He had turned at the window quickly; it was the first time he had
spoken. Mr. Wynne walked around the table to Mr. Czenki, and Mr.
Cawthorne approached them.

"Suppose, then, you gentlemen examine this together," suggested Mr.
Wynne.

He lifted a great glittering jewel from the leather packet and held
it aloft that all might see. Then he carefully placed it on the
table in front of the experts; the others came to their feet and
stood gazing as if fascinated.

"By Jove!" exclaimed Mr. Cawthorne.

For a minute or more the two experts studied the huge diamond--one
hundred and six carats and a fraction--beneath their glasses, and
finally Mr. Cawthorne picked it up and led the way toward the window.
Mr. Czenki and the German followed him.

"Gentlemen," and Mr. Cawthorne now turned sharply to face the others,
"this _is_ the Koh-i-noor! Mr. Czenki didn't mention it, but I was
one of the three experts who had opportunity to examine the
Koh-i-noor. This _is_ the Koh-i-noor!"

Startled, questioning eyes were turned upon Mr. Wynne; he was
smiling. There was a question in his face