Isaacstein placed both feet together and his head sank between his shoulders. He again reminded Philip of a top. The boy fancied that in a second or two he would begin to spin and purr. The bank manager's statement flattered the little man. It was the sort of thing he understood. Philip privately resolved to make this human top wobble when alone with him in the street again.
"One more question, and I have ended," he said. "Where is the best place to store some valuables?"
"It all depends on their nature. What are they? Plate, jewels, paper——"
The Jew's ears were alert now, and the boy smiled faintly.
"Oh," he explained, "I have a very large quantity of rich ore which I wish to lodge in some place where it will be secure and yet easy of access."
"I would recommend you to rent a strong-room in the safe deposit across the street. There you have absolute security and quick access during business hours."
Philip expressed his thanks and quitted the bank with his agent.
In the middle of Holborn, in the midst of the jostling, hurrying occupants of one of the busiest thoroughfares in London, he pulled the giant diamond out of his pocket and suddenly held it under the Jew's nose.
"I told you I had them as big as hen's eggs," he cried. "What do you think of this one?"
Isaacstein glanced at it for one fascinated second. Then he looked around with the stealthy air of a man who fears lest he may be detected in the commission of a terrible crime.