"I must have all your jewels, ladies," he said. "You need not be alarmed; you shall not be harmed if you conduct yourselves properly. And you gentlemen will be safer if you indulge in no attempt to better your present condition. I assure you that you are at the mercy of my band."
He made a sign, and three of his men took bags from beneath their robes and started toward the line of women.
"Take off your jewelry and toss it into the bags," the Black Star directed. "Married ladies may retain their wedding rings and their engagement rings, but must give up everything else. That is just to show that I am not hard-hearted, as some persons would have the world believe."
He laughed gleefully as his men began their task. Terrified women removed their jewels and handed them over. Weeping women, hysterical women, surrendered necklaces, brooches, rings. The bags were filled rapidly, and the Black Star's men stepped back again.
"And now we have something else to do," the Black Star said. "Which of you gentlemen is Lord Sambery?"
One of them stepped forward, a dignified man of perhaps fifty. "I have that honor," he said stiffly.
"I admire you greatly, sir," the Black Star said. "I have read a great deal about the work you have done. I admire you so much that I insist you become my guest for a time."
"I beg your pardon?" stammered the astonished nobleman.
"I insist upon it, sir!" the Black Star said. "And where is Sir Burton Banks?"
"I am here!"