in
that the pieces were unique, and I remembered their appearance
perfectly. I stammered out a few questions, which the Spaniards
answered complacently, believing that the quality of their stone had
overcome me. I don't know why I accepted the commission to find a
worthy mate for that turquoise. Had not old Poldar told me that such
pieces were cast up once in a thousand years, and where in the world
might not be the mate of the gem in my office? But since the gentlemen
from Cadiz also left with me some of the Spanish antiques to dispose
of, I saw no harm in humouring them, and locked the turquoise away in
my safe with a shrug.
I
set to work at once with the Spanish trinkets. I had to earn some money
quick. I was making my way westward when I happened to glance at the
window of a famous jeweller's whose name is a household word. To my
utter amazement I saw displayed there the absolute match of the
turquoise drop in my safe. Immediately therefore I entered the shop,
asked the manager if he had prepared to sell the piece without its
mounting of diamonds and gold, and told him when he assented that I had
a foreign client who might be interested. The rest is soon told. I took
my Cadiz merchants to the shop and secretly they compared the stones,
which matched exactly. The Spaniards were happy, presumably their
client was happy, the manager was happy, and I was happy. A deal does
not always give such universal satisfaction!
At
this point, when I was telling my tale to someone who shall be
nameless, it was pointed out that the ending was dull. She had picked
the Hungarian wife, or the
