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

"It is either the Koh-i-noor or an exact duplicate," said Mr. Czenki.

"It _is_ the Koh-i-noor," repeated Mr. Cawthorne doggedly.

"Id seems to me," interposed Mr. Schultze, "dat if der Koh-i-noor vas
missing somebody would haf heard, ain'd id? I haf nod heard. Mr.
Czenki made a misdake der oder day--maybe you make id to-day?"

"You _have_ made a mistake, I assure you, Mr. Cawthorne," remarked
Mr. Wynne quietly. "You identify that as the Koh-i-noor, of course,
by a slight inaccuracy in one of the facets adjoining the _collet_.
That inaccuracy is known to every diamond expert--the mistake you
make is a compliment to that as a replica."

He resumed his position at the end of the table, and Mr. Schultze sat
beside him. Amazement was a thing of the past, as far as he was
concerned. Mr. Czenki dropped into his chair again.

"And now, Mr. Czenki, speaking as an expert, what would you say was
the most perfect diamond the world?" asked Mr. Wynne.

"The five blue-white stones you mailed to these gentlemen," replied
the expert without hesitation.

"Perhaps I should have specified the most perfect diamond known to
the world at large," Mr. Wynne added smilingly.