ld do better than that."

"Ah," said Mr. Randolph, "this is getting interesting. Come, tell us;
how should you hide the jewel, supposing that you had taken it?"

"That is a leading question," said Mr. Mitchel. "I prefer not to answer
it. Walls have ears, you know." He said this in a significant way that
made Mr. Randolph uncomfortable for a moment. Mr. Mitchel at once
continued: "I will say this, however, that the thief, whoever he is,
cannot profit by his theft."

"Why not?" asked Mr. Thauret.

"Because there is not another gem in existence save those two which are
so absolutely perfect in color. In fact, they are the standards by which
rubies are valued. It is claimed that the expression 'pigeon-blood ruby'
owes its existence to the staining of one of these gems in the manner
described. Dealers sometimes cut a pigeon's throat to compare the blood
with the color of a gem being appraised. The significance of this is,
that the stolen gem cannot be sold as it is, because it would be
recognized, and I have notified all the great dealers in the world that
my 'Egyptian Gem' has been stolen. If it were attempted to have it cut
up, the lapidary would at once report the matter, as the reward offered
by me is greater than could be earned by recutting the stone."

"Suppose that the thief himself is a gem cutter?" asked Thauret.

"Even then the perfect color would at once tell the first dealer to whom
he applied that the 'Egyptian Gem' had been recut."

"The thief might be a patient man, and all things come to him who
waits," replied Mr. Thauret.

"True," said Mr. Mitchel. "But mark my words, the 'Egyptian Gem' will
not be sold by the person who has it now."

"Especially if that person is yourself," said Mr. Randolph.

"Just so," answered Mr. Mitchel.

The conversation now drifted to other things, and shortly after, the
dinner being over, the three men separated.

As Mr. Barnes was about to leave the main dining-room, one of the
servants handed him a note. Supposing it to be from Mr. Randolph, he
opened it at once, and was surprised and chagrined to read:

"When Mr. Barnes next plays the eavesdropper he should be careful
to observe whether a mirror reflects both sides of a _portiere_
which he might suppose would conceal him.
"MITCHEL."

"The devil take it," muttered Mr. Barnes. "I wonder at what point he
discovered my presence. Was that last par