“You must come again and bring Gilbert,” said the General, before they dispersed to dress for dinner. “I shall be delighted to put you both up.” Fortunately she was saved the embarrassment of an answer, for the General jumped up suddenly. “I know what you’d like to see,” he said, “you’d like to see the Standerton diamonds, and so you shall!” She had no desire to see the Standerton diamonds, had, indeed, no knowledge that such an heirloom existed; but he was delighted at the prospect of showing her, and she, being a woman, was not averse to a view of these precious jewels, even though she were not destined to wear them. He led the way up to the library, and Jack Frankfort followed. “There they are,” said the old man proudly, and pointed to a big safe in the corner, a large and ornate safe. “That is something new,” he said proudly. “I bought it from a man who wanted sixty guineas for it--an infernal, swindling, travelling rascal! I got it for thirty. What do you think of that for a safe?” “I think it’s very pretty,” said Jack. He could think of nothing more fitting. The old man glared at him. “Pretty!” he growled. “What do you think I want with ‘pretty’ things in my library?” He took a bunch of keys from his pocket and opened the door of the safe, pulled open a drawer, and took out a large morocco case. “There they are!” he said with pride, and indeed he might well be proud of such a beautiful collection. With all a girl’s love for pretty things Edith handled the gorgeous jewels eagerly. The setting was old-fashioned, but it was the old fashion which was at that moment being copied. The stones sparkled and glittered as though every facet carried a tiny electric lamp to send forth the green, blue and roseate gleam of its fire. Even Jack Frankfort, no great lover of jewellery, was fascinated by the sight. “Why, sir,” he said, “there are nearly a hundred thousand pounds’ worth of gems there.” “More,” said the old man. “I’ve a pearl necklace here,” and he pulled out another drawer, “look at it. There is nearly two hundred thousand pounds’ worth of jewellery in that safe.” “In a thirty-guinea safe,” said Jack unwisely. The old man turned on him. “In a sixty-guinea safe,” he corrected violently. “Didn’t I tell you I beat the devil down? I beg your pardon, my dear.” He chuckled at the thought, replaced the jewels, and locked the safe again. “Sixty guineas he wanted. Came here with all his fine City of London manner, frock-coat, top-hat, and patent boots, my dear. The way these people get up is scandalous. He might have been a gentleman by the airs he gave himself.” Jack looked at the safe. He had some ideas of commercial values. “I can’t understand how he sold it,” he said. “This safe is worth two hundred pounds.” “What?” The old General turned on his lawyer in astonishment. Jack nodded. “I have one at my office, now that I come to think of it,” he said. “It cost two hundred and twenty pounds, and it is the same make.”