Mr.Wynne walked around the table and replaced the spheres and replicas in his pocket, after which he resumed his former position.
"I have stated my case, gentlemen," he continued quietly, very quietly.

"Now for my proposition.

Briefly it is this: For a consideration I will destroy the unlimited supply.

I will bind myself to secrecy, as you must; I will guarantee that no stone from the same source is ever offered in the market or privately, while you gentlemen," and his manner was emphatically deliberate, "purchase from me at one-half the carat price you now pay _one hundred million dollars' worth of diamonds!_" He paused.

There was not a sound; no one moved.
"You may put them on the market as you may agree, slowly, thus preventing any material fluctuation in value," he went on.