"I will show you, sahib: it is the STAR OF INDIA."
"And what the mischief is that?"
"Dekhna!" (Behold!)
As the native spoke, the envelope of paper dropped off and he threw up his hand until it was on a level with his own eyes. Between the thumb and forefinger, the others elevated so as to be out of the way, he held poised the most marvelous diamond that Baird had ever looked upon.
The wonderful gem was cut in rose form, and could not have weighed less than fifty carats, almost one half of the famous Koh-i-noor, while its brilliancy was like that of the great Pitt diamond. Luchman caused his hand, while apparently immovable, to tremble slightly so that it glowed and scintillated under the eye of the spectator as if it were luminous.
A ray of light, straggling through a crack in the tattie screen, struck the diamond, and Avery, changing his own position so as to relieve his vision, saw all the colors of the rainbow shooting forth and radiating from the dazzling gem. Some of the rays were short, while others darted outward for several feet. At times it was as if the native was holding an electric burner between his thumb and finger, and then the whole gem glowed with the intense brightness of a star.
"Well! well! where in the name of the seven wonders did you get that?" asked the astounded spectator; "it surpasses any gem I ever saw; it ranks among the great diamonds of the world; it is worth four lacs of rupees."
"Sahib, it is not mine," replied Luchman, as he began wrapping the paper around that and the missive.
More than once, Avery was on the point of asking the privilege of holding the diamond for a moment in his palm, but doubtful whether such permission would be given, he silently watched the native who folded his turban and its precious contents on his head.
This done, Luchman paused long enough to advise the doctor as to the best course to take to avoid his enemies, after which he bade him good by and started toward Delhi, in the hope of befriending those who were in sore need of help.