"Yes, chief, it would be difficult to dispose of a stone of that value."
"Impossible; and no one at Amsterdam would risk cutting it without the highest references. The stone is well known, and is said to have been the eye of an idol in India. Occasionally it has been set to wear at Court, but when it disappeared it was quite loose."
"And when was it missed? Yesterday?"
"No; a week ago."
"As long as that?"
"Yes. You see Lady B—— was of opinion that the stone would be replaced in the safe."
"How could that possibly happen?"
"As you may have heard, Lord B—— is rather eccentric. He is a great connoisseur of precious stones, and he may have taken out the 'Rajah' diamond to admire it, and forgotten to return it."
"But why not ask him?"
"That is what we want to avoid. Her ladyship's object in coming here is to get us to trace the stone without his knowing anything about it. He is in such delicate health, the disappearance of his much-prized diamond might be very hurtful."