The others nodded unanimously.

"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.