“With pleasure.” The duke bowed sardonically.
In shape and size it was not unlike the pseudo da Sestos casket with which the duke had attempted to deceive Jacqueline.
It was of bronze, overlaid with plaques of gold, enriched with cloisonné enameled work and precious stones, cut for the most part en cabochon. The cover rose to an apex. At the apex was a knob of wrought gold, in shape a monster’s head, the eyes formed of minute rubies. At the four corners of the cover were large semi-precious stones of chalcedony, rock-crystal, carbuncle, and turquoise. From these four stones to the knob of gold ran lines of pearls.
The sides of the casket were composed of rectangular plaques, alternately covered with symmetrical designs in colored cloisonné enamel, partly opaque and partly translucent. These plaques were studded with pearls framed with a cunning design of scrolls and filigree work.
“It would fetch a thousand pounds at Christie’s any day,” I mused.
“Will you tell me how long that toy must tick before the cover can be opened?” interrupted the duke.
“When did you set the mechanism?”
“At precisely twenty-five minutes to seven.”
“Then in half an hour the casket will be opened.”
There was a loud knock on the door.