"What!"
Well might Lord Leconbridge start forward and look at the necklace. I did the same myself.
"Very well executed, but paste," said Quarles.
"Do you suggest——"
"Pardon me, I have made no suggestion; I have merely stated a fact."
"It isn't true; it's absurd!"
"You may prove me right or wrong by showing the stones to an expert. Why not show them to Jacob Hartmann?"
"Hartmann! Why to him?"
"Because I believe he knows more about precious stones than any man in this country."
For the space of a minute Leconbridge and the professor stood looking at each other in silence.