osely. Yes, there was no mistake, the emerald
had been fashioned into the form of a perfect crocodile, with open jaws,
even the teeth being finely chiselled, a veritable marvel of the
lapidary's art. While we were both looking at it puzzled, Liola's eyes
suddenly became attracted by sight of something in the package I had just
opened, and stooping swiftly, picked out of a mass of ornaments a
magnificent diadem of some strange milk-coloured, opaque crystals of a
character entirely strange to me. The stones were beautifully cut and
polished, and although they glittered, even in the sickly rays of our
lamp, they had no transparency.

"Behold!" she cried in a voice full of awe, her clear eyes wide open in
astonishment. "See what we have discovered!"

I gazed at it, failing at first to notice what I afterwards recognised.

"It is a crown," I said laughing. "A crown fit to grace thy brow!"

"It is the great Rock Diadem of the Sanoms of Mo!" she answered. "See! It
is surmounted by the vampire, our national emblem!"

Then, I saw that upon the crest of the diadem was a single great diamond
wonderfully chiselled to represent a bat with outspread wings, the device
upon the banners of the mystic realm.

"This," she continued, "is without doubt the historic crown of the first
Naya. Though it hath never been seen for ages by the eyes of man, it was
always popularly supposed to be preserved in the secret Treasure-house of
the Sanoms, among the royal jewels. Many are the beliefs and
superstitions regarding it. The stones are said to be the first pieces of
rock chipped during the foundation of our City in the Clouds, which, as
thou art aware, was her work a thousand years ago. Among the possessions
of our royal house no relic hath been more venerated than this Rock
Diadem of the Naya. How it came hither I know not. It is assuredly a
mystery."

"No," I answered, endeavouring to subdue my excitement. "We have now
elucidated the mystery. The Treasure-house of Mo hath been entered by
thieves, and the most valuable of the royal treasures stolen. The matter
hath been kept secret from the people, but by our discovery the identity
of the robbers is established beyond doubt, and we have thus recovered
the wealth of a nation that was believed to be irretrievably lost."

"But is all of this Omar's lost treasure?" she inquired, astounded at my
statement, glancing at the huge heap of gold and jewels nearly as high as
ourselves, and of such g