It took the rapidly moving pen but a minute or so to put this in shape, while every one began to wonder what was coming next.
"Say that if he had been faithful I would have given him the great diamond, the Star of India."
Every one was breathless with amazement, and, instead of writing the words as dictated, Mr. Hildreth stared at Luchman. The latter smiled and said:
"I am waiting, sahib."
"But—but—I do not understand."
And then the guide explained:
"I did not give him the real diamond; I gave him a false one, and brought away the Star of India with me. It was in my turban all the time, close to the false one. Had I found that he had kept his promise, I would have given him the true diamond afterwards, for I had promised to do so, and I am a Christian. But he broke his vow; therefore he had no right to the Star of India. I had the false one made when I was in Calcutta, and carried it with me alongside the real one."
"It wasn't the paste one which you showed me?" ventured Dr. Avery, when he could find his breath.
"No, sahib; no one ever saw that after I brought it away until I placed it in the palm of Wana, but you could hardly know any difference. Wana Affghar will never see the Star of India, for I have given it to another."
The pen of the writer dropped to the floor.