"Hum," said Hay, "he might make money out of the last occupation. Is he a Jew by any chance?"
"No. He is a miserable-looking, one-eyed Christian, with the manner of a frightened rabbit."
"One-eyed and frightened," repeated Hay, musingly, but without change of expression; "desirable father-in-law. And the daughter?"
"Sylvia. She is an angel, a white lily, a—"
"Of course," said Grexon, cutting short these rhapsodies. "And what do you intend to marry on?"
Beecot fished a shabby blue velvet case out of his pocket. "On my last five pounds and this," he said, opening the case.
Hay looked at the contents of the case, and saw a rather large brooch made in the form of a jewelled serpent. "Opals, diamonds and gold," he said slowly, then looked up eagerly. "Sell it to me."