"But you have found diamonds—big diamonds?"
"Oh, yes," replied the president with affected carelessness; "we have picked up a few stones. As I told you, the prospects are very promising."
"But haven't you recently made some extraordinary finds?"
Mr. Parker shook his head.
"No—nothing worth mentioning.'"
Keralio smiled skeptically.
"Isn't your memory somewhat at fault, cher monsieur? Surely you haven't forgotten the two stones of enormous size just picked up—finds of sensational importance. The newspapers have been full of the story."
Mr. Parker made a deprecatory gesture.
"Pshaw! My dear sir, you ought to know what newspaper talk is worth! No yarn is too fantastic to print so long as it sells their papers. We found two stones of fair size, it is true, but to say that they are of priceless value is a gross exaggeration."
The Italian eyed his companion closely. Significantly he said: