John Thorndyke looked round with an uncomfortable feeling.

"How do you mean, George?"

"I mean some of those Indian fellows can do all sorts of wonderful
conjuring tricks. I have seen them go up into the air on a rope
and never come down again, and for aught I know they may be able to
render themselves invisible. Seriously, I think that it is likely
as not."

"Well, and where are the things to be found now, George?"

"That I won't tell you, John. Before I go I will whisper it in your
ear, and give you the means of finding them, but not till then.
No, I will write it down on a piece of paper, and slip it into your
hand. As soon as you get out of the room you glance at it, and then
put the piece of paper into your mouth, chew it up and swallow it.
I tell you I dare not even whisper it; but whatever you do, take
no steps in the matter until your son comes of age."

"There can surely be no danger in another twelve years, George;
they will have given up the search long before that."


"Not they," the Colonel said emphatically. "If they die others will
take their places: it is a sacred business with them. My advice to
you is, either sell them directly you get them into your hands, or
go straight to Amsterdam and sell them there to one of the diamond
cutters, who will turn them out so that they will be altered beyond