ing knowledge which has come to me through the study of my
hobby. I will come at once to the story of the lost jewel. Just where it
was first found is not accurately known, and of its earlier history I
can only tell you what has been told to me. You may believe as much or
as little as you like. The history then begins with the finding of Moses
in the bulrushes, and the subsequent gift to him of this ruby by the
daughter of Pharaoh. Thus we hear of it first in the royal house of the
Egyptians. There was another gem, the exact counterpart to it. This,
Pharaoh had amongst his treasures, and wore upon state occasions. With
the exodus of Moses and the Israelites the ruby passed out of Egypt.
From that time, for many centuries, its history is not marked by any
great event, save that we learn that it was kept by the high priests of
the Synagogue and so passed down from generation to generation. One odd
fact I must not forget. The deep red color as you know is the most
prized. The color of this ruby at the present time is the most perfect
in existence. Yet, so the story goes, at first the matched pair of gems
were of a pale rose color."

"Do you mean us to believe," interrupted by Mr. Randolph, "that the
color has deepened with time?"

"I do not ask you to believe anything. But it is not time that is
supposed to have improved the color. With the conquest of Jerusalem this
jewel fell into the hands of the Romans, and so in time came into the
possession of Caesar. In his courtship of Cleopatra he soon discovered
that extraordinary woman's passion for resplendent jewels, and he was
audacious enough to present it to her. Fearing that this might be
readily traced to him, when the jewel was missed as it would surely be,
he told her secretly of his purpose, and then tied it about the neck of
a pigeon, which flew with it directly to the palace of Cleopatra, who
awaited the arrival of the bird on the roof-tops. The pigeon, when
nearly home, was attacked by a hawk and Cleopatra ordered one of her
archers to slay the larger bird with his arrow. This the man attempted,
but struck the pigeon, which fell bleeding and dead at the queen's feet.
She at once removed the gem, which was covered with blood and dyed with
it a rich red."

"But, Mr. Mitchel," said Mr. Thauret, "surely a ruby could not absorb
blood?"

"It is the history of the gem." Mr. Mitchel spoke in so odd a tone that
one almost thought that, carried away by his love of preciou