"About half a cable's length," said Lothaw, shortly, "and send them
to my lodgings."

Mr. Amethyst became thoughtful. "I am afraid I have not the exact
number--that is--excuse me one moment. I will run over to the
Tower and borrow a few from the crown jewels." And before Lothaw
could prevent him, he seized his hat and left Lothaw alone.

His position certainly was embarrassing. He could not move without
stepping on costly gems which had rolled from the counter; the
rarest diamonds lay scattered on the shelves; untold fortunes in
priceless emeralds lay within his grasp. Although such was the
aristocratic purity of his blood and the strength of his religious
convictions that he probably would not have pocketed a single
diamond, still he could not help thinking that he might he accused
of taking some. "You can search me, if you like," he said when Mr.
Amethyst returned; "but I assure you, upon the honor of a
gentleman, that I have taken nothing."

"Enough, my Lord," said Mr. Amethyst, with a low bow; "we never
search the aristocracy."


CHAPTER VIII.


As Lothaw left Mr. Amethyst's, he ran against General Camperdown.
"How is Mary Ann?" he asked hurriedly.