Mr. Pinney turned up a strong drop light that stood on the counter, and produced the paper and a magnifier.
'It's a grand ruby,' he said.
'I see it is,' Logotheti answered rather curtly.
'Do you mean to say,' asked the surprised jeweller, 'that you had bought it without thoroughly examining it, sir—you who are an expert?'
'No, that's not what I mean,' answered the Greek, bending over the ruby and scrutinising it through the strong magnifier.
Mr. Pinney felt himself snubbed, which had not happened to him for a long time, and he drew himself up with dignity. A minute passed, and Logotheti did not look up; another, and Mr. Pinney grew nervous; a few seconds more, and he received a shock that took away his breath.
'This is not my ruby,' said Logotheti, looking up, and speaking with perfect confidence. [{240}]
'Not—your—ruby!' Mr. Pinney's jaw dropped. 'But——' He could get no further.
'I'm sorry,' Logotheti said calmly. 'I'm very sorry, for several reasons. But it's not the stone I brought you, though it's just as large, and most extraordinarily like it.'
'But how do you know, sir?' gasped the jeweller.