“Very good, but you can tell him that if he will not allow it to be done he will get nothing for it.”
He returned before long with a jeweller who said he would guarantee the stone to be at least two grains over the six carats.
“Have you weighed it?”
“No, but I am quite sure it weighs over six carats.”
“Then you can lend the money on it?”
“I cannot command such a sum.”
“Can you tell me why the owner objects to the stone being taken out and put in at my expense?”
“No, I can’t; but he does object.”
“Then he may take his ring somewhere else.”
They went away, leaving me well pleased at my refusal, for it was plain that the stone was either false or had a false bottom.