There was, too, an added wonder that on this ancient hand were no less than seven fingers, the same all being fine and long, and of great beauty.

Sooth to say, it made me shudder and my flesh creep to touch that hand that had lain there undisturbed for so many thousands of years, and yet was like unto living flesh.

Underneath the hand, as though guarded by it, lay a huge jewel of ruby; a great stone of wondrous bigness, for the ruby is in the main a small jewel.

This one was of wondrous colour, being as of fine blood whereon the light shineth.

But its wonder lay not in its size or colour, though these were, as I have said, of priceless rarity; but in that the light of it shone from seven stars, each of seven points, as clearly as though the stars were in reality there imprisoned.