Ai Ranken's David was aware of quite another atmosphere, He knew that he was scrutinized before the door was opened to him, he noted that he was passed swiftly through two or three heavy doors which were well and truly closed behind him. Here there was no carpet on the floor, no leather on the severely simple furniture: and yet this was one of the greatest gem dealing firms in the world. Probably he did not realize the true magnitude of the business handled by Rankens, nor could he plicity impressed David. Here was stark business, and he was not so wildly ignorant now of what to expect as when he visited Bond Street with all its poshness. He wrote his name on a card, and was presently shown into the manager's office. Here again the manager was an elderly man, but he had a youngish, smiling face: and it was not long before they got down to business. The stone was subject to the same scrutiny, and was treated with the same respect, though it was not handled exactly with affection as in Bond Street.
No immediate offer was made, but the manager having satisfied himself rang a bell. "Please ask Mr. Marcus to come here," said he to the boy who answered his summons. Presently Mr. Marcus strolled in, a pleasant looking fellow who offered David a cigarette. "Come along" he said as soon as he had understood the matter in hand: and he led the way into a laboratory at the back of the office where the ruby was placed under a microscope.
to it.
cand white light was turned on For several minutes Mr. Marcus gazed into the stone. Then he spoke confidentially with the manager in a Corner. Then the manager gazed into reac via his nose. part is syn said addressing is eric," he saic it "What do you mean?" said /David with a great feat at his heart. "Do you mean it is not real?"
"Real enough," said Mr. Marcus. "But synthetic. Artificially built up you know of real ruby dust."
David did not know. "What is it worth?"
"Can't say. We don't deal in synthetic stones of course. But possibly you might get five or ten pounds for it, as æ curio you know. It certainly is the finest fake I ever saw, and it almost deceived me. [t is beautifully made, and I can understand now why the ruby trade has been so nearly ruined^by the competition of synthetic stones. As clever a copy as this is really a work of art: but not worth more than five or ten quid you understand. Sorry if it is a disappointment to you."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.