They deal mostly in pearls." "Pearls, eh ?" said Arthur, musingly.

"Then it was your firm that lost the valuable collection of pearls you mentioned to Mr.Merrick ?" "No.

They were the property of Countess Ahmberg, of Vienna.

But we had sold many of the finest specimens to the countess and have records of their weight, size, shape and color.

The one you are now wearing, sir," pointing to Uncle John's scarf pin, "is one of the best black pearls ever discovered.