ense," she said, "I can't get the money by noon. I have telegraphed
to the Credit Lyonnais in Paris. I can get it by the day after
to-morrow, or perhaps to-morrow evening."

The foreigner looked down on the floor.

"It is impossible," he said.

The woman interrupted him.

"Now, major, that's all nonsense! A day longer can't make any
difference."

He drew himself up and looked calmly at her.

"Madam," he said, "it would make all the difference in the world. If I
should remain one day over my time I might just as well remain all the
other days that are to follow it."

There was finality and conviction in the man's voice. Mrs. Farmingham
got up and began to walk about the room. She seemed to speak to
Hargrave, although he imagined that she was speaking to herself.

"Now this is a pretty how-de-do," she said "Lady Holbert told me about
this find to-night at dinner. She said Major Mikos wanted the money at
once; but I didn't suppose he wanted it cash on the hour like that. She
brought me right away after dinner to see him. And then I went for you."
She stopped, and again made the gesture as of one who, cracks a dog
whip. "Now what shall I do?" she said.

The last remark was evidently not addressed to Hargrave. It was not
addressed to anybody. It was merely the reflection of a dominant nature
taking counsel with itself. She took another turn about the room. Then
she pulled up short.

"See here," she said, "suppose you take these jewels and give the major
his money in the morning. Then I'll buy them of you."

"Very well, madam," said Hargrave; "but in that event we shall charge
you a ten per cent commission."

She stormed at that.

"Eighteen hundred dollars?" she said. "That's absurd, ridiculous! I'm
willing to pay you five hundred dollars."

The American did not undertake to argue the matter with her.

"We don't handle any sale for a less commission," he said.

Then he explained that he could not act as any sort of agent in the
matter; that the only thing he could do would be to buy the jewels
outright and resell them to her. His house would not make any sale for
a less profit than ten per cent. Hargrave did not propose to be involved
in any but a straight-out transaction. He was quite willing to buy
the sapphires for eighteen thousand dollars. There was five thousand
dollars' profit in them on any market. He was perfectly safe either way
about. If Mrs. Farmingham made the repurchase there was a profit of