"Curious you should ask me that, sir. You should ask Miss Carrol."
"Ask me?" Patricia looked amazed.
"You held the Mikado Jewel in your hand," said Akira coolly.
Theodore, Colpster and Patricia exchanged looks, and wondered if the Japanese was aware that the gem reposed in the library safe. It was impossible, of course, since he had been absent all day with Basil. Yet it was strange that he should refer to an object which was uppermost in their minds. "I don't understand," said Patricia doubtfully.
"I can explain, Miss Carrol. Had you examined the emerald you would have seen the sign of the Earth-Spirit graven thereon. That sign shows that a power to control earth-forces lies in the stone."
"Oh, I can't believe that, Count."
"Yet you felt--so you told me--the radiating rays, which keep back all earth tremors--steady them, as it were."
Colpster looked up suddenly. "I thought you knew nothing about the Mikado Jewel, Count," he said sarcastically.
"I know very little, and told you what I did know," replied Akira quietly; "but this conversation about climates revived a memory of what one of the Kitzuki priests told me. The emerald has had certain ceremonies said over it, and has been set on the radiating petals of a jade chrysanthemum. Thus it possesses a repelling power, and was kept in the temple to repel earthquakes from shaking the ground upon which the temple stands."
Theodore stole a glance at Patricia, who looked sceptical. "If," he suggested in a low voice, "if the power, instead of radiating, was drawn to the emerald you speak of, Count, what would happen?"