Philip closed the door, and Isaacstein turned sharply at the sound, but the boy gave him no time to frame a question. "I want you to buy this," he said, handing over the diamond. Isaacstein took it, and gave it one critical glance. He began to wobble again. "Do you mean to say Mr. Wilson sent you to dispose of this stone to me?" he demanded. "Not exactly, sir. I showed it to him, and he recommended me to come to you." "Ah, I see. Sit down, there----" indicating a chair near the door. The diamond merchant himself sat at his desk, but they were both in full view of each other. "Where did you get it?" he asked. "I found it." "Quite so. But where?" "At this moment I do not wish to go into details, but it is mine, mine only, and I am quite willing that you should make every inquiry to satisfy yourself that it was not stolen. I suppose that is what you fear?" Sheer wonder kept the Jew silent for a space. "Do you know its value?" he said, with a sudden snap. "Mr. Wilson told me it was worth several hundreds of pounds." "Did he, really?" "Yes. He said you would treat me quite fairly, so I wish you to advance me a few pounds until you have decided upon its real price. You see, sir, I am very poor, and my present appearance creates an unfavorable impression. Still, I am telling you the absolute truth, and I show my confidence in you and in my own case by offering to leave the diamond with you on your receipt, together with a small sum of money." Philip thought he was getting on very well. Isaacstein's large eyes bulged at him, and speech came but slowly. He leaned forward and rummaged among some papers. Then he opened a drawer and produced a magnifying glass, with which he focused the diamond. "Yes, it is worth six or seven hundred pounds," he announced, "but it will be some time before I can speak accurately as to its value. I think it may be flawless, but that can only be determined when it is cut." Philip's heart throbbed when he heard the estimate. "Then I can have a few pounds----" he commenced. "Steady. You are not in such a hurry; eh? You won't tell me where you got it?" "I may, later, if you continue to deal with me as honestly as you have done already." Isaacstein moved on his seat. Even in a chair he wanted to wobble. There was a slight pause. "Have you any more like this stone? I suppose not, eh?" "Yes, I have many more." "Eh? What? Boy, do you know what you are saying?" "No doubt you are surprised, sir, but not more than I am myself. Yet, it is true. I have some--as big again." Philip, in his eagerness, nearly forgot his resolution to advance slowly. How the diamond merchant would shake if only he could see some of the white pebbles in the meteor. "As big again! Where are they?" The chair was creaking now with the rhythmic swaying of its occupant. "Where this one came from, Mr. Isaacstein."