But--how did you get to know Mr. Ashton and to hear of this diamond? Did
he come to you?"

"Called on me at my office," answered Mr. Van Hoeren laconically. "Pulled
out the diamond and asked me what I thought it was worth. Well, I
introduce him to some of the other boys in the Garden, see? He show them
the diamond too. We reckon it's worth what I say--fifty to sixty
thousand. So!"

"Did he want to sell it?" demanded Mr. Pawle.

"Oh, well, yes--he wouldn't have minded," replied the diamond merchant.
"Wasn't particular about it, you know--rich man."

"Did he tell you anything about it--how he got it, and so on?" asked Mr.
Pawle. "Was there any history attached to it?"

"Oh, nothing much," answered Mr. Van Hoeren. "He told me he'd had it some
years--got it in Australia, where he come from to London. Got it cheap,
he did--lots of things like that in our business."

"And carried it in his pocket!" exclaimed Mr. Pawle. He stared hard at
Mr. Van Hoeren, as if his mind was revolving some unpleasant idea. "I
suppose all the people you introduced him to are--all right?" he asked.

"Oh, they're all right!" affirmed Mr. Van Hoeren, with a laugh. "Give my
word for any of 'em, eh? But Ashton--if he pulls that diamond out to
show to anybody--out of the trade, you understand--well, then, there's
lots of fellows in this town would settle him to get hold of it--what?"