all recognition. Don't sell more than two stones at most to any
one man; then they will never come out as a bracelet again, and
the hunt will be over."


"I would almost rather leave them alone altogether, George."

"Well, they are worth 50,000 pounds if they are worth a penny, and
a great deal more I should say; but you cannot leave them alone
without leaving everything alone, for all my gems are with them,
and 52,000 pounds in gold. Of course, if you like you can, when
you get the box, pick those diamonds out and chuck them away, but
if you do you must do it openly, so that anyone watching you may
see you do it, otherwise the search will go on."

Two days later, as Ramoo was helping the Colonel to the sofa, the
latter was seized with a violent fit of coughing, then a rush of
blood poured from his lips. His brother and Ramoo laid him on the
sofa almost insensible.

"Run and get some water, Ramoo," John Thorndyke said.

As Ramoo left the room the Colonel feebly placed his snuffbox in
his brother's hand with a significant glance; then he made several
desperate efforts to speak, and tried to struggle up into a sitting
position; another gush of blood poured from him, and as it ceased
he fell back dead.

John Thorndyke was bitterly grieved at the death of his brother,
and it was not until he went up to his room that night that he