Handsome grinned, and pointed to his waist.
"I've got 'em all right!" With another hiccough, he added: "But there's no hurry, old sport. Let's have a drink before we get talking business."
In two rapid strides Keralio was up to him. Fiercely he said:
"Give me the stones—give me them I say. We've no time for your d——d fooling. Hand them over. Come——"
For a moment the gambler just sat and looked at his master. A giant in physical strength compared with the slightly built foreigner, he could have overpowered him as a child might crush an egg-shell, but he lacked the mentality, the magnetism of the Italian. He was cowed, dominated by the stronger mind. Grumbling, he began to fumble at his waist:
"I don't see what's the hurry."
"But I see," exclaimed Keralio, his eyes growing larger, as he already saw the colossal stones glittering in his hand.
The next instant Handsome had slid his hand under his waistcoat and unbuckled a belt he wore next his shirt. Unfastening a pocket and taking out the contents, he growled:
"Here they are! I'm glad to get rid of the d——d things."
With a cry of exultant joy Keralio took hold of the stones and, going to the window, greedily feasted his eyes on them. Report had not exaggerated the value and extraordinary beauty of the gems. They were worth more than a million.