Those balls, those balls of Ptah! They appeared to be the key that was to help Grattan through the coil of the law.
"I am rewarding you, Motor Matt, for your cleverness," pursued Grattan, "and for the narrow escape Bunce gave you in that automobile. The reward is the Eye of Buddha. I sell it to Goldstein for the money he has in that satchel; then, while Bunce and I are safely out of the hut, I break one of the balls of Ptah by hurling it through the open door; you and Goldstein become unconscious; you recover and make a prisoner of Goldstein; and, finally, by due process of law, you recover the ruby for Tsan Ti. Very simple. So far as I can see, Goldstein is the only one to suffer."
Matt was still listening, listening. Where in the world was McGlory?
Grattan turned toward the shivering Jew.
"Goldstein," said he sternly, "how much money have you in that satchel?"
"Mercy, Mr. Grattan!" implored the diamond merchant. "I have lost much money by der decline in——"
"How much have you in the satchel?" repeated Grattan.
"Only a little, Mr. Grattan. I dit not bring much."
"Didn't you bring enough to pay a good price for the ruby?"
"How was I to know vat der ruby was worth? Fife thousand dollars is what I brought——"