The peddler shrugged his shoulders, and looked up with a shrewd glance.
"That depends on how much money it would bring."
"I have little idea of the value of such rings," said the Persian, "but I have a friend who, I am convinced, would appreciate that one. I should like to present it to him. Will you take this for it?"
He drew forth a coin worth three times the value of the ring. The peddler immediately closed the bargain and handed the ring over, then devoted his attention again to the table.
The priest went to the window. He drew the little stone from his bosom and slipped it into the cavity. It fitted exactly. He then walked back to the table, and held it before the astonished Jew.
"How now, Jew?" he said with a smile. "Saw you such a gem before?"
"My very own carnelian!" exclaimed the peddler. "Where did you find it?"
"You are sure it is yours?"
"Sure! On my oath, it is mine. There is not another such stone in Arabia, with that streak across the top."
The priest laid his hand on the Jew's shoulder and bent close to him. "That stone," he said, "was found in the house of Nathan the Jew, beside the stolen cup. How came it there?"