"I must have a thousand dollars," repeated Ida. "If it were not absolutely necessary for me to raise the money on them, I should not have brought them here."
"Two hundred is a nice little sum," said the man. "If you refuse to take that, I might take it into my head to hold you on suspicion, and call in a policeman. Bear in mind, I will give you that amount of money without asking you where they came from. A policeman would want to know the whys and wherefores of the whole thing."
"I—I must raise a thousand dollars on them," she reiterated, grasping the jewel-case.
The man's bluff had not worked.
"That's all I'll give; but father might accommodate you with a little more," he added, touching a little bell.
The summons was instantly answered by a short, stout little man who looked as if he had overheard the conversation.
A quick glance passed between them.
"Here is something for you to decide," went on the young man. "This lady tells me that she wants a certain amount for these diamonds."
"I must have a thousand dollars," interposed Ida, "and if you can not advance me that amount, do not detain me, please; I must look elsewhere."
Again the lid was thrown back, and the casket exposed to the elder man's gaze. He fairly caught his breath as the blazing jewels met his eye. A wolfish expression leaped into his face.