"How to hold this tremendous reserve secretly and still permit the operation of the other diamond mines of the world is the great problem you will have to face." He leaned over, picked up a handful from the heap and replaced them in the leather bag.

The others he swept off into it, then snapped the lock.
"I will give you one week to decide what you will do," he said in conclusion.

"If you accept the proposition, then six weeks from next Thursday at three o'clock I shall expect a cash payment of ten million dollars for a portion of the stones now cut and ready; within a year all the diamonds will have been delivered and the transaction must be closed." He hesitated an instant.

"I'm sorry, gentlemen, if the terms seem hard, but I think, after consideration, you will agree that I have done you a favor by coming to you instead of going into the market and destroying it.

I will call next Thursday at three for your answer.