lation as to the usury that might accrue after the account with his
losses was balanced.

These perjured figures were scarcely arranged to his satisfaction when
the clock struck ten.

The strokes seemed like as many separate accusations.

"Bah! what are they to me?" he asked himself. He had been robbed; he had
found a way to restitution; a man's providence must measure to his
necessities.

To arrive at these conclusions put him five minutes in arrears. Five
more for a leisurely arrival would be ten; enough to apologize for;
sufficient for his purposes.

He consumed as much time as possible secreting the stone in the recess.
That accomplished, Raikes emerged from his room and proceeded down the
hallway.

When he reached the apartment occupied by the Sepoy he breathed a sigh
of relief.

The door was closed.

In response to his rap upon the panel, a voice which he recognized as
that of the Sepoy cried: "Come in!"

With a sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach, where, with him, the
only conscience he had was located, Raikes complied with these
instructions, and, closing the door softly, established himself, in his
customary expectant attitude, in the chair indicated by his host.

"I have been told," began the latter abruptly, "that there is a flaw in
the sapphire."

"What!" exclaimed Raikes with genuine concern. Two things he could
comprehend: a loss and the abuse of property. The announcement of the
Sepoy awakened the same misgiving which commonly affected his mind at a
suggestion of defective title.

"Yes," continued the Sepoy; "it was pointed out to me. But I am not
convinced, or it may be that I refuse to be. A man often elects to be
blind when confronted with a suggestion of disaster. I want to be candid
with myself. I require your assistance. While I continue the narrative,
kindly see if you can discover any sign of blemish."

Raikes, only too willing to engage himself upon anything which would
assist his attempt at outward poise, seized the glass offered him and
began a close inspection of the gem, as the Sepoy, with an indescribably
insinuating modulation, resumed:

* * * * *

"As the prince advanced, Lal Lu, advised of his approach by the hasty
exit of the waiting-woman and the soft alarm of the gong in the
passageway, stood ready to receive him.

"A slight flush suffused her cheeks, a brighter luster beamed from her
eyes.

"With a fervor which w