He therefore threw himself heart and soul into the diamond scheme, and worked out the details in a masterly manner.
The more he looked into it the more convinced he became, not only of its feasibility, but of its absolute safety.

It seemed as though it were hardly possible that it should fail.
Among other things he proceeded to qualify himself as a dealer in diamonds.

It happened that he was acquainted with one of the partners of the firm of Fugger & Stoltz, who did the largest import trade in precious stones.

Through his kindness he received practical instructions in the variety and value of diamonds, and learned to detect all those little flaws and peculiarities which are only visible to the eye of an expert, and yet are of the highest importance in determinating the price of a stone.

With such opportunities Ezra made rapid progress, and within a few weeks there were not many dealers in the trade who had a better grasp of the subject.
Both the Girdlestones recognized that the success of their plan depended very largely upon their choice of an agent, and both were of the opinion that in Major Tobias Clutterbuck they had just the man that they were in want of.