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The Case of the Nun's Ruby                95
that is red is ruby, everything that is white, diamond, and so on, in spite of colour being perhaps the least of identify­ing signs.
A Brazilian ruby, however, is no garnet. It is a dark-red topaz, whether its colour is natural or has been brought about by application of heat. Part of the name is right, for the stone does, in fact, come from Brazil.
I remember not without sadness a conversation I had a few years ago in my office about rubies. There came to see me an old friend, Jacob W., a well-known expert and dealer in precious stones, and we were meeting for the last time in "the Garden", though neither of us knew it.
After some beating about the bush in a vain effort to provoke my curiosity, Jacob brought out above the level of my desk a good-sized ruby and said: "What price this?"
But I showed no eagerness to inspect, and although the stone appeared to be a fine one, expressed none of the admiration that at first sight I felt. For we dealers in gems never go into ecstasies over each other's goods. A gem we have once praised overmuch may some day seek us out as a potential buyer. Studied indifference is the safest policy, however fine the gem.
"A good stone this, Jacob," I said without enthusiasm.
"It is a good stone if I know one," he said grimly. "I've actually overdrawn my account to the tune of two thou­sand pounds without advising my bank. If I had not closed with the owner, I'd never have seen the stone again. And I had to have it."