Success in the king of the motor boys' venture hung by an exceedingly slender thread.
"It will be hard business to cut it up," came the voice of Goldstein, breaking roughly into Matt's somber reflections.
"Hard to cut what up?" Matt asked.
"Der Eye. When it ain't best to sell precious stones in one piece, then we cut them up."
Matt understood what the Jew was driving at. Large diamonds are hard to market, especially if the diamonds have been stolen. In order to dispose of them they are often cut up into smaller stones.
"You see," proceeded Goldstein, "dis ruby is valuable because of its size, yes. Der size makes all der difference. If it is cut under fife carat, dere vasn't much sale. Anyhow, diamonds is sheaper as they was. I lose a lot of money by der fall in der price of diamonds."
"Here's where we turn from the hill road an' strike out for the sugar camp," remarked Pryne.
He swerved from the steep road as he spoke and drove into a bumpy swath cut through the timber. For half a mile or more they jolted and banged along, then Pryne pulled to a halt.
"I'll hitch here," said he, getting out, "an' I'll leave the rig. The rest of the way we'll go on foot. It ain't fur," he added hastily, noticing the solicitous glance which Goldstein threw at his patent-leather shoes.
"First time I efer come to a place like this to buy precious stones," remarked the Jew, clambering slowly down.