"I don't think that you would do for a valuer of precious stones," said
Raffles Haw, laughing. "Why, the contents of that one little drawer of
brilliants could not be bought for the sum which you name. I have a
memo. here of what I have expended up to date on my collection, though I
have agents at work who will probably make very considerable additions
to it within the next few weeks. As matters stand, however, I have
spent--let me see-pearls one forty thousand; emeralds, seven fifty;
rubies, eight forty; brilliants, nine twenty; onyxes--I have several
very nice onyxes-two thirty. Other gems, carbuncles, agates--hum! Yes,
it figures out at just over four million seven hundred and forty
thousand. I dare say that we may say five millions, for I have not
counted the odd money."

"Good gracious!" cried the young artist, with staring eyes.

"I have a certain feeling of duty in the matter. You see the cutting,
polishing, and general sale of stones is one of those industries which
is entirely dependent upon wealth. If we do not support it, it must
languish, which means misfortune to a considerable number of people.
The same applies to the gold filigree work which you noticed in the
court. Wealth has its responsibilities, and the encouragement of these
handicrafts are among the most obvious of them. Here is a nice ruby.
It is Burmese, and the fifth largest in existence. I am inclined to
think that if it were uncut it would be the second, but of course
cutting takes away a great deal." He held up the blazing red stone,
about the size of a chestnut, between his finger and thumb for a moment,
and then threw it carelessly back into its drawer. "Come into the
smoking-room," he said; "you will need some little refreshment, for they
say that sight-seeing is the most exhausting occupation in the world."