"Diamonds, yes! Are they not for the empress?"
"I should have thought of that, certainly."
"Only diamonds will answer."
"Of large size and the first water?"
"The great Pandu Singe would consider no other."
"Alas, then, this is most unfortunate!" Venner now exclaimed, glancing
about the store. "You see that we are making some repairs here, in the
walls of our store and vault."
"That is plain," bowed Nick. "But what has that to do with the
diamonds?"
"Only this," replied Venner, with feigned regret. "During these repairs
I have removed all of my most valuable diamonds to a vault in my private
residence."
"For safer keeping?"
"Exactly."
"I will explain to Pandu Singe."
"Wait a moment," Venner quickly interposed. "Tell him, also, that I have
at my residence the very gems he desires, six magnificent diamonds,
precisely alike in weight, purity and cutting. They cannot be equaled in
New York City, if in the entire country."
"Are they fit for an empress?"
"They are fit for a goddess."
"Ah! that will please Pandu Singe."
"Tell him, also, that he can purchase them at a marvelously low price,"
cried Venner. "Now, if Pandu Singe will come to my house, say early this
evening, he may see the diamonds and examine them at his leisure.
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