Here in New York, and in Karlov's hands, ultimately to be cut up for Bolshevik propaganda! The infernal pity of it! The passion of the gem hunter blazed forth, dimming all other phases of the drama.

Here was a real game, a man's game; sport! Cutty rubbed his hands together pleasurably.

To recover those green flames before they could be broken up; under the ancient ruling that "Findings is keepings." The stones, of course, meant nothing to Karlov beyond the monetary value; and upon this fact Cutty began developing a plan.

He stood ready to buy those stones if he could draw them into the open.
Lord, how he wanted them! Murder and loot, always murder and loot! The thought of those two incomparable emeralds being broken up distressed him profoundly.

He must act at once, before the desecration could be consummated.