I can pay for your services and those of any whom you may bring with you.' "I answered that it was hopeless, as no one would believe the tale, whereon she drew from her finger the throne-ring or State signet which you have in your pocket, Higgs, saying: 'My mothers have worn this since the days of Maqueda, Queen of Sheba.

If there are learned men among your people they will read her name upon it and know that I speak no lie.
Take it as a token, and take also enough of our gold to buy the stuffs whereof you speak, which hide fires that can throw mountains skyward, and the services of skilled and trusty men who are masters of the stuff, two or three of them only, for more cannot be transported across the desert, and come back to save your son and me.' That's all the story, Higgs.

Will you take the business on, or shall I try elsewhere?
You must make up your mind, because I have no time to lose, if I am to get into Mur again before the rains." "Got any of that gold you spoke of about you ?" asked the Professor.
I drew a skin bag from the pocket of my coat, and poured some out upon the table, which he examined carefully.
"Ring money," he said presently, "might be Anglo-Saxon, might be anything; date absolutely uncertain, but from its appearance I should say slightly alloyed with silver; yes, there is a bit which has oxydized--undoubtedly old, that." Then he produced the signet from his pocket, and examined the ring and the stone very carefully through a powerful glass.
"Seems all right," he said, "and although I have been greened in my time, I don't make many mistakes nowadays.

What do you say, Adams?
Must have it back?
A sacred trust! Only lent to you! All right, take it by all means.

_I_ don't want the thing.