s stones, he
had imbibed some of the superstition connected with them. He spoke as
though he believed the tale. Mr. Barnes began to understand better what
Mr. Randolph had meant when he said that perhaps the desire to possess a
rare stone might tempt this gentleman to commit a crime. Mr. Mitchel
continued:

"I need not follow the story of Cleopatra. It is too well known. But
there is an incident that has not been written in the general history of
her career. There was an Egyptian priest who was madly in love with her,
and in a moment of impulse he dared to tell her of his attachment one
day when alone with her. She seemed slightly amused at his ardor, and
asked what he, a poor priest, could offer her, who had rich rulers at
her feet. In desperation he answered that he could give his life. The
Queen laughed and said: 'That is mine already. But you priests claim to
be all-wise. Find me the mate to my great ruby, and perhaps I will
listen to your love pleadings.' To her intense surprise the man replied:
'That I could do, if I dared. The gem which you have has but returned to
its proper place. It was once Pharaoh's. He also had the mate to it,
which from him descended through kings to Rameses the Great. It is
buried in his coffin.' 'Get it for me,' was the terse reply of
Cleopatra, given now as a command rather than a request.

"In fear the priest went into the pyramid and stole the jewel. When he
presented it to Cleopatra she cried out at him: 'What fool's trick is
this? Do you think this pale stone a match to mine?' The priest
explained that hers had been dyed red in the blood of the pigeon. 'Ah,
so!' she replied; 'then this one shall be also a richer red. You
promised me your life once. I claim it, and in your blood this stone
shall be steeped till it matches the other in color.' She carried out
her threat, and the two stones were once more mates."

"What an absurdity!" exclaimed Mr. Randolph.

"Do not say so," said Mr. Thauret; "we cannot tell what may happen in
this world."

"The next change of owners was when Cleopatra killed herself. One of her
handmaidens stole the two rubies, but she herself was taken a slave to
Rome and sold. Her purchaser discovered the rubies, took them from her,
and then secretly murdered her lest she might tell that he had them.
From this time on they have gone by the name of 'The Egyptian Gems.' I
need not give you the whole list of robberies and murders that have been
connected with th