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was my cautious reply。
〃But you've written a book about them； and know them when you see
them； don't you？ Now my mother has given me something； and would
like you to give a guess at its value。 Perhaps you can put me in
the way of disposing of it？〃
〃I certainly can do so if it is worth anything。 Is that it？〃 I
was in a fever of excitement； for I guessed what was clutched in
his palm。 He held out to me the Valdez sapphire。
How it shone and sparkled like a great blue star！ I made myself a
deprecating smile as I took it from him； but how dare I call it
false to its face？ As well accuse the sun in heaven of being a
cheap imitation。 I faltered and prevaricated feebly。 Where was my
moral courage； and where was the good； honest； thumping lie that
should have aided me？ 〃I have the best authority for recognizing
this as a very good copy of a famous stone in the possession of the
Bishop of Northchurch。〃 His scowl grew so black that I saw he
believed me； and I went on more cheerily： 〃This was manufactured by
Johannes BogaertsI can give you his address； and you can make
inquiries yourselfby special permission of the then owner； the
late Leone Montanaro。〃
〃Hand it back！〃 he interrupted （his other remarks were outrageous；
but satisfactory to hear）； but I waved him off。 I couldn't give it
up。 It fascinated me。 I toyed with it； I caressed it。 I made it
display its different tones of color。 I must see the two stones
together。 I must see it outshine its paltry rival。 It was a
whimsical frenzy that seized meI can call it by no other name。
〃Would you like to see the original？ Curiously enough； I have it
here。 The bishop has left it in my charge。〃
The wolfish light flamed up in Carwitchet's eyes as I drew forth
the case。 He laid the Valdez down on a sheet of paper； and I
placed the other； still in its case； beside it。 In that moment
they looked identical； except for the little loop of sham stones；
replaced by a plain gold band in the bishop's jewel。 Carwitchet
leaned across the table eagerly； the table gave a lurch； the lamp
tottered； crashed over； and we were left in semidarkness。
〃Don't stir！〃 Carwitchet shouted。 〃The paraffin is all over the
place！〃 He seized my sofa blanket； and flung it over the table
while I stood helpless。 〃There； that's safe now。 Have you candles
on the chimney…piece？ I've got matches。〃
He looked very white and excited as he lit up。 〃Might have been an
awkward job with all that burning paraffin running about；〃 he said
quite pleasantly。 〃I hope no real harm is done。〃 I was lifting
the rug with shaking hands。 The two stones lay as I had placed
them。 No！ I nearly dropped it back again。 It was the stone in
the case that had the loop with the three sham sapphires！
Carwitchet picked the other up hastily。 〃So you say this is
rubbish？〃 he asked； his eyes sparkling wickedly； and an attempt at
mortification in his tone。
〃Utter rubbish！〃 I pronounced； with truth and decision； snapping up
the case and pocketing it。 〃Lady Carwitchet must have known it。〃
〃Ah； well； it's disappointing； isn't it？ Good…by； we shall not
meet again。〃
I shook hands with him most cordially。 〃Good…by； Lord Carwitchet。
SO glad to have met you and your mother。 It has been a source of
the GREATEST pleasure； I assure you。〃
I have never seen the Carwitchets since。 The bishop drove over
next day in rather better spirits。 Miss Panton had refused the
chaplain。
〃It doesn't matter； my lord；〃 I said to him heartily。 〃We've all
been under some strange misconception。 The stone in your
possession is the veritable one。 I could swear to that anywhere。
The sapphire Lady Carwitchet wears is only an excellent imitation；
andI have seen it with my own eyesis the one bearing Bogaerts's
mark； the Greek Beta。〃
End