"But go on." "I suppose originally there was a single stone, later cut into halves, because they are perfect matches.

The drums proper are exquisitely carved ivory statuettes, of Hindu or Mohammedan drummers, squatting, the golden base of the drums between the knees, and the drumheads the emeralds.

Lord, how they got to me! I wanted to run off with them.

The history of murder and loot they could tell! Some Delhi mogul owned them first.

Then Nadir Shah carried them off to Persia, along with the famous peacock throne.