"How do you know my story is about a buried city?"
"I never heard a romance of Central America that wasn't."
"You'll hear one now, then. This isn't about a city—it's concerning a stone."
"A stone?" echoed his three listeners.
"Yes. An opal. A harlequin opal."
"And what is a harlequin opal, Jack?"
"Tim, I'm astonished at your ignorance. A special correspondent should know all things. A harlequin opal is one containing all the colours of the rainbow, and a few extra ones besides."
"Well, Jack, and this special opal?"
"It's one of the most magnificent jewels in the world."
"Have you seen it?"