at 3, 5.30 and 9 p.m. sell" He opened his wallet, took the ring from its tissue paper, and laid it on the table.
The manager was an elderly man who, as David had heard, was an acknowledged authority on gems.
What David had not realized till now was that the old fellow was a lover of gems as well as an authority. After a searching glance he treated the stone almost with reverence. He pulled out his spectacles: flicked on several small electric lamps which threw strong beams of light: and finally brought magnifying glass to bear.
For-a long time he gazed intently into the heart of the ruby noting its exquisite colour and its flaming response to every movement of light At length he pushed it away from him. "A very magnificent stone," he said. "Do you know anything about rubies young man?
"No sir," said David honestly.
"Well, provided the colour is cor-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.