Perhaps, at some time, it may have passed through your hands." He placed the glazed box on the table.

For an instant the German stared at it with amazed eyes, then one fat hand darted toward it, and he spilled the diamond out on the napkin in his plate.

Then he sat gazing as if fascinated by the lambent, darting flashes deep from the blue-white heart.
"_Mein Gott_, Laadham!" he exclaimed, and with fingers which shook a little he lifted the stone and squinted through it toward the light, with critical eyes.

Mr.Latham was leaning forward on the table, waiting, watching, listening.
"Well ?" he queried impatiently, at last.
"Laadham, id is der miracle!" Mr.Schultze explained solemnly, with his characteristic, whimsical philosophy.

"I haf der dupligade of id, Laadham--der dwin, der liddle brudder.