whoever he may be. Many years ago he was worshipped in some great
Eastern temple, and had priests and acolytes without number to attend to
his wants; and then, as now, the great Diamond shone in his forehead. By
some mischance the Diamond was lost or stolen--in any case, he was
dispossessed of it. From that moment he was an unhappy idol. He derived
pleasure no longer from being worshipped, he could rest neither by night
nor day--he had lost his greatest treasure. When he could no longer
endure this state of wretchedness he stole out of the temple one fine
night unknown to anyone, and set out on his travels in search of the
missing Diamond. Was it simple accident or occult knowledge, that
directed his wanderings after a time to the shop of a London curiosity
dealer, where I saw him, fell in love with him, and bought him? I know
not: I only know that he and his darling Diamond were at last re-united,
and here they have remained ever since. You smile as if I had been
relating a pleasant fable. But tell me, if you can, how it happens that
in the forehead of yonder idol there is a small cavity lined with gold
into which the Diamond fits with the most exact nicety. That cavity was
there when I bought the idol and has in no way been altered since. The
shape of the Diamond, as you have seen for yourself, is rather
peculiar. Is it therefore possible that mere accident can be at the
bottom of such a coincidence? Is not my theory of the Wandering Idol
much more probable as well as far more poetical? You smile again. You
English are the greatest sceptics in the world. But it is time to go. We
have seen all there is to be seen, and the temperature of this place
will not benefit my rheumatism."

So the lamp was put out and Idol and Diamond were left to darkness and
solitude. In the vaulted room, at the entrance to the winding way that
led to the cavern, Ducie's eyes were again bandaged. Then up the
twenty-two stone stairs, and so into the carpeted room above, where was