the chain is
known among the inhabitants of Bagdad by the name of_

THE ADVENTURE OF PRINCE FLORIZEL AND A DETECTIVE

Prince Florizel walked with Mr. Rolles to the door of a small hotel
where the latter resided. They spoke much together, and the clergyman
was more than once affected to tears by the mingled severity and
tenderness of Florizel's reproaches.

"I have made ruin of my life," he said at last. "Help me; tell me what I
am to do; I have, alas! neither the virtues of a priest nor the
dexterity of a rogue."

"Now that you are humbled," said the Prince, "I command no longer; the
repentant have to do with God, and not with Princes. But if you will let
me advise you, go to Australia as a colonist, seek menial labour in the
open air, and try to forget that you have ever been a clergyman, or that
you ever set eyes on that accursed stone."

"Accurst indeed!" replied Mr. Rolles. "Where is it now? What further
hurt is it not working for mankind?"

"It will do no more evil," returned the Prince. "It is here in my
pocket. And this," he added kindly, "will show that I place some faith
in your penitence, young as it is."

"Suffer me to touch your hand," pleaded Mr. Rolles.

"No," replied Prince Florizel, "not yet."

The tone in which he uttered these last words was eloquent in the ears
of the young clergyman; and for some minutes after the Prince had turned
away he stood on the threshold following with his eyes the retreating
figure and invoking the blessing of Heaven upon a man so excellent in
counsel.

For several hours the Prince walked alone in unfrequented streets. His
mind was full of concern; what to do with the diamond, whether to return
it to its owner, whom he judged unworthy of this rare possession, or to
take some sweeping and courageous measure and put it out of the reach of
all mankind at once and for ever, was a problem too grave to be decided
in a moment. The manner in which it had come into his hands appeared
manifestly providential; and as he took out the jewel and looked at it
under the street lamps, its size and surprising brilliancy inclined him
more and more to think of it as of an unmixed and dangerous evil for the
world.

"God help me!" he thought; "if I look at it much oftener I shall begin
to grow covetous myself."

At last, though still uncertain in his mind, he turned his steps towards
the small but elegant mansion on the river-side which had belonged for
centuries to his royal fa