"Eight hundred and fifty pounds," answered the principal expert, who seemed to recognise every necklace at sight as a shepherd recognises every sheep in his flock. "Do you think this would suit you, my dear?" asked Mr. Prohack. "I think so," replied Eve politely. "Well, I'm not so sure," said Mr. Prohack, reflectively. "What about this one?" And he picked up and tried upon Eve another and a larger necklace. "That," said the original expert, "is two thousand four hundred guineas." "It seems cheap," said Mr. Prohack carelessly. "But there's something about the gradation that I don't quite like. What about this one?" Eve opened her mouth, as if about to speak, but she did not speak. The wall, which had trembled for a few seconds, regained its monumental solidity. "Five thousand guineas," said the expert of the third necklace. "Hm!" commented Mr. Prohack, removing the gewgaw. "Yes. Not so bad. And yet--" "That necklace," the expert announced with a mien from which all deference had vanished, "is one of the most perfect we have. The pearls have, if I may so express it, a homogeneity not often arrived at in any necklace. They are not very large of course--" "Quite so," Mr. Prohack stopped him, selecting a fourth necklace. "Yes," the expert admitted, his deference returning. "That one is undoubtedly superior. Let me see, we have not yet exactly valued it, but I think we could put it in at ten thousand guineas--perhaps pounds. I should have to consult one of the partners." "It is scarcely," said Mr. Prohack, surveying the trinket judicially on his wife's neck, "scarcely the necklace of my dreams,--not that I would say a word against it.... Ah!" And he pounced suddenly, with an air of delighted surprise, upon a fifth necklace, the queen of necklaces. "My dear, try this one. Try this one. I didn't notice it before. Somehow it takes my fancy, and as I shall obviously see much more of your necklace than you will, I should like my taste to be consulted." As he fastened the catch of the thing upon Eve's delicious nape, he could feel that she was trembling. He surveyed the dazzling string. She also surveyed it, fascinated, spellbound. Even Mr. Prohack began to perceive that the reputation and value of fine pearls might perhaps be not entirely unmerited in the world. "Sixteen thousand five hundred," said the expert. "Pounds or guineas?" Mr. Prohack blandly enquired. "Well, sir, shall we say pounds?" "I think I will take it," said Mr. Prohack with undiminished blandness. "No, my dear, don't take it off. Don't take it off." "Arthur!" Eve breathed, seeming to expire in a kind of agonised protest. "May I have a few minutes' private conversation with my wife?" Mr. Prohack suggested. "Could you leave us?" One expert glanced at the other awkwardly. "Pardon my lack of savoir vivre," said Mr. Prohack. "Of course you cannot possibly leave us alone with all these valuables. Never mind! We will call again."