“Look here,” said the man with a snarl, “drop it. I’m dealing fair an’ square by you. I don’t want to hurt a hair of your head. I’m a peaceable man, but I want my own, and, what’s more, I can get it. I got the shell, and I can get the kernel. Do you know what I mean by that?”
“I don’t know, and I don’t care,” said the Jew. He moved off a little way, and, taking some tarnished spoons from a box, began to rub them with a piece of leather.
“I daresay you can take a hint as well as anybody else,” said the other. “Have you seen that before?”
He threw something on the counter, and the Jew started, despite himself, as he glanced up. It was the sailor’s belt.
“That’s a hint,” said the man with a leer, “and a very fair one.”
The Jew looked at him steadily, and saw that he was white and nervous; his whole aspect that of a man who was running a great risk for a great stake.
“I suppose,” he said at length, speaking very slowly, “that you want me to understand that you have murdered the owner of this.”
“Understand what you like,” said the other with sullen ferocity. “Will you let us have that back again?”
“No,” said the Jew explosively. “I have no fear of a dog like you; if it was worth the trouble I’d send for the police and hand you over to them.”
“Call them,” said the other; “do; I’ll wait. But mark my words, if you don’t give us the stone back you’re a dead man. I’ve got a pal what half that diamond belongs to. He’s from the East, and a bad man to cross. He has only got to wish it, and you’re a dead man without his raising a finger at you. I’ve come here to do you a good turn; if he comes here it’s all up with you.”