"But how can that be done without arousing curiosity ?--without the jeweler seeing its contents, if indeed it has any?
And in that case the matter would be no longer at our own disposal, as now it is.

I have a great mind to split it with a hammer.

What are the diamonds to me ?" "It is not the diamonds, but the picture, miss, that may be most important.

And more than that, you might ruin the contents, so as not to make head or tale of them.

No, no; it is a risk that must be run; we must have a jeweler, but not one of this neighborhood." "Then I shall have to go to London again, and perhaps lose something most important here.