In some commercial houses, it is stated, that a premium is paid to the clerk, who disposes of the rococo articles to some credulous customer.
Be that as it may, Béroli's mania for precious stones, put it into the head of Andréas to play him a clever trick.
He requested Raymond to get himself introduced, and work his way into the club, of which Béroli was a member, whilst he (Andréas) went to Paris, to arrange the preliminaries of an affair, of which he at present refused to mention the details, until all was in readiness for his great coup. A fortnight afterwards, thanks to the secret influence of Raymond, Andréas, who had returned from Paris, was proposed and elected by the club, of which his comrade was already a member. The two Greeks were not supposed to know one another, so each was able to proceed with his work unsuspected.
Raymond ransacked the pockets of some rich proprietors, whilst his comrade contented himself, every evening, with playing a few innocent games at écarté with Béroli, whose acquaintance he had made.
The very first day, the amateur observed a magnificent ring on the finger of Andréas.
"What a splendid diamond you have there," said Béroli, with an accent of envy.
"Yes, it is," replied Andréas, carelessly, continuing his play. "Diamonds are trumps. I cut, and my turn-up card is worth nothing; you have the trick."
Béroli, meanwhile, never took his eyes off the precious stone, the dazzling lustre of which seemed to fascinate him.
Each day brought forth fresh expressions of admiration for the stone, to all of which, his opponent apparently remained insensible.
One evening, Béroli was determined to force a reply of some kind or other from Andréas.