perplexed wrinkles about his blue eyes. The German glanced around at
Latham quickly as he proceeded to draw out a chair on the opposite
side of the table.

"Sid down, Laadham, sid down," he invited explosively. "I haf yust
send der vaiter to der delephone to ask--"

There was a restrained note of excitement in the German's voice, but
at the moment it was utterly lost upon Mr. Latham.

"Schultze, you've probably imported more diamonds in the last ten
years than any other half-dozen men in the United States," he
interrupted. "I have something here I want you to see. Perhaps,
at some time, it may have passed through your hands."

He placed the glazed box on the table. For an instant the German
stared at it with amazed eyes, then one fat hand darted toward it,
and he spilled the diamond out on the napkin in his plate. Then he
sat gazing as if fascinated by the lambent, darting flashes deep from
the blue-white heart.

"_Mein Gott_, Laadham!" he exclaimed, and with fingers which shook a
little he lifted the stone and squinted through it toward the light,
with critical eyes. Mr. Latham was leaning forward on the table,
waiting, watching, listening.

"Well?" he queried impatiently, at last.

"Laadham, id is der miracle!" Mr. Schultze explained solemnly, with
his characteristic, whimsical philosophy. "I haf der dupligade of