onor of Eiran."

The Honor of Eiran was accordingly produced from a blue velvet case,
and was properly admired. Then, when the steward had been dismissed to
fetch a rare liqueur, Mr. Sheridan laughed, and tossed and caught the
jewel, as though he handled a cricket-ball. It was the size of a
pigeon's egg, and was set among eight gems of lesser magnitude; and in
transit through the sunlight the trinket flashed and glittered with
diabolical beauty. The parliamentarian placed three bits of sugar in
the velvet case and handed the gem to his companion.

"The bulk is much the same," he observed; "and whether the carbon be
crystallized or no, is the responsibility of stratigraphic geology.
Fergus, perhaps, must go to jail. That is unfortunate. But true
philanthropy works toward the benefit of the greatest number possible;
and this resplendent pebble will purchase you innumerable pounds of tea
and a warehouseful of blankets."

"But, Mr. Sheridan," Miss Ogle cried, in horror, "to take this brooch
would not be honest!"

"Oh, as to that----!" he shrugged.

"----because Lord Eiran purchased all these lesser diamonds, and very
possibly paid for them."

Then Mr. Sheridan reflected, stood abashed, and said: "Incomparable
Esther Jane, I confess I am only a man. You are entirely right. To
purloin any of these little diamonds would be an abominable action,
whereas to make off with the only valuable one is simply a stroke of
retribution. I will, therefore, attempt to prise it out with a
nutpick."

Three constables came suddenly into the room. "We hae been tauld this
missy is a suspectit thieving body," their leader cried. "Esther Jane
Ogle, ye maun gae with us i' the law's name. Ou ay, lass, ye ken weel
eneugh wha robbit auld Sir Aleexander McRae, sae dinna ye say naething
tae your ain preejudice, lest ye hae tae account for it a'."

Mr. Sheridan rose to the occasion. "My exceedingly good friend, Angus
Howden! I am unwilling to concede that yeomen can excel in gentlemanly
accomplishments, but it is only charity to suppose all three of you as
drunk as any duke that ever honored me with his acquaintance." This he
drawled, and appeared magisterially to await an explanation.

"Hout, Mr. Sheridan," commenced the leading representative of justice,
"let that flee stick i' the wa'--e dinna mean tae tell me, Sir, that ye
are acquaintit wi' this--ou ay, tae pleasure ye, I micht e'en say wi'
this----"

"This lady, probably