the terrible Aureng-Zebe himself, who had it set in the haft of his
scimitar.' 'But by what means did Captain Chillington become possessed
of so valuable a stone?' Said he, 'Two years ago, at the risk of his own
life, he rescued the eldest son of the Rajah of Gondulpootra from a
tiger who had carried away the child into the jungle. The Rajah is one
of the richest men in India, and he showed his gratitude by secretly
presenting the Great Hara Diamond to the man who had saved the life of
his child.' 'But why should Captain Chillington carry so valuable a
stone about his person?' I asked. 'Would it not have been wiser to
deposit it in the bank at Bombay till such time as the Captain could
take it with him to England?' 'The stone is a charmed stone,' said Rung,
'and it was the Rajah's particular wish that the sahib Chillington
should always wear it about his person. So long as he did so he could
not come to his death by fire by water, or by sword thrust.' Said I,
'But how did the Russian know that Captain Chillington carried the
diamond about his person?' 'One night when the Captain had had too much
wine he showed the diamond to his friend,' answered Rung. Said I, 'But
how does it happen, Rung, that you know this?' Rung, smiling and putting
his finger tips together, replied, 'How does it happen that I know so
much about you?' And then he told me a lot of things about myself that I
thought no soul in India knew. It was just wonderful how he did it. 'So
it is: let that be sufficient,' he finished by saying. 'Why did you not
tell me till after the Russian had gone away that you saw him steal the
diamond?' said I. 'If you had told me at the time I could have charged
him with it.' 'You are ignorant,' said Rung; 'you are little more than a
child. The Russian sahib had the evil eye. Had I crossed his purpose
before his face he would have cursed me while he looked at me, and I
should have withered away and died. He has got the diamond, and only by
magic can it ever be recovered from him.'