us and I proceeded to inspect what each man held out in turn.
Greatly
wondering, they heard me recount in detail the manifold shortcomings of
their stones. They could not make out at all the crazy white man who
chose to sit in the broiling sun and who went to such pains to
pronounce like an expert on their rubbishy goods.
When
I thought that my chivvying had reached the limit of their patience, I
drew from my pocket a magnificent sapphire, a rare specimen piece,
from which I had long refused to be separated, despite most attractive
offers.
"Now,
friends," said I, "as you have shown me the best you have to offer, I
will show you what kind of gem interests me, so that when I come again
you will know what to bring me."
They
all drew closer, but respectfully, for a good view of the stone in my
hands, and those who managed to get a really good look broke into
exclamations of astonishment. "How much?" cried several with one
voice. "Tell us what you want for it, mister. We know merchants in the
town who will buy it from you." For in the twinkling of an eye they
were all brokers.
"If
I sell at all," I replied firmly, "I will sell on the spot. Now, you
boys know a good stone when you see one, as I can see. What about a
deal with one of you?"
At that there was a roar of laughter. A nimble-witted fellow called out: "Yes, we will give you all we have got if you take sarongs in payment!"
"Very well," I said, "if you dealers won't buy, perhaps a European in the crowd would like the stone." For by
