The jewel Orion had sent away and that purchased from Hiram could not in any case be identical.

But how could all this be explained?
It was enough to turn his brain.

And not to dare to speak when mere silence was falsehood--falsehood to his father and mother!--If only the hapless stammerer might escape! If he were caught; then--then merciful Heaven! But no; it was not to be thought of .-- On, then, on; and if it came to the worst the honor of a hundred stablemen could not outweigh that of one Orion; horrible as it was, the man must be sacrificed.

He would see that his life was spared and that he was soon set at liberty! The Arab meanwhile had concluded his examination; still he was not perfectly satisfied.

Orion longed to interpose; for if the merchant expressed no doubts and acknowledged the recovered gem to be the stolen one, much would be gained; so he turned to him again and said: "May I ask you to show me the emerald once more?
It is quite impossible, do you think, that a second should be found to match it ?" "That is too much to assert," said the Arab gravely.