In shape they were oval, cut on both sides en cabochon, and on each certain characters were engraved.

No doubt this detracted from their value as gems, yet the characters might have been removed and the stones cut in facets, and these rubies would still have been the noblest in the world.

I was no jewel merchant to guess their value, but I knew enough to see that here was wealth beyond human computation.

At each end of the string was a great pearl and a golden clasp.

The sight absorbed me to the exclusion of all fear.