Whatever dangers I had gone through had been surmounted by no aid
from this supposed amulet, but simply by my own endeavours. But
useless as it no doubt was in this particular, I could well imagine
that the bright diamond which had been so cunningly enclosed within
its hard stony shell might be of considerable value.
That it was of great value I soon discovered from what the old
Hebrew informed me. He took from his inner pocket a tiny pair of
scales, and proceeded to weigh the glittering jewel in the balance.
Then he made some calculations on a dirty piece of paper, speaking
as he did so in Dutch with Captain Flett.
"D'ye want to sell the thing, Halcro?" said the skipper. "He says
he canna buy it himsel', but he kens its value. He's the agent of a
diamond merchant in Amsterdam."
I hesitated to answer, reflecting upon my need of money. My mother
was poor; I could help her by selling this thing, and then, if I
should get for it more than sufficed for her immediate needs, was
there not this pilot boat to buy? I might be able to become part
owner of the St. Magnus.
"What does he say the diamond is worth?" I asked of Flett.
The sum he named astonished me. I could scarcely contain my wonder
at the thought of it.
"Five hundred guineas," answered Flett.
Five hundred guineas! Why, that was a fortune.
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