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Page 88
"Well," she said, "are they O. K.?"
"Yes, madam," said Hargrave; "they are first-class stones."
"Sure?" she asked.
"Quite sure, madam," replied the American. "There can be no
question about it."
"Are they worth eighteen thousand dollars?"
She put the question in such a way that Hargrave understood her
perfectly.
"Well," he said, "that depends upon a good many conditions. But
I'm willing to say, quite frankly, that if you don't want the
jewels I'm ready to take them for our house at eighteen thousand
dollars."
The big, dominant, aggressive woman made the gesture of one who
cracks a dog whip.
"That's all right," she said. Then she turned to the foreigner.
"Now, major, when do you want this money?"
The big old officer shrugged his shoulders and put out his hands.
"To-morrow, madam; to-morrow as I have said to you; before midday
I must return. I can by no means remain an hour longer; my leave
of absence expires. I must be in Bucharest at sunrise on the
morning of the twelfth of October. I can possibly arrive if I
leave London to-morrow at midday, but not later."
Mrs. Farmingham began to wag her head in a determined fashion.
"Nonsense," she said, "I can't get the money by noon. I have
telegraphed to the Credit Lyonnais in Paris. I can get it by the
day after to-morrow, or perhaps to-morrow evening."
The foreigner looked down on the floor.
"It is impossible," he said.
The woman interrupted him.
"Now, major, that's all nonsense! A day longer can't make any
difference."
He drew himself up and looked calmly at her.
"Madam," he said, "it would make all the difference in the world.
If I should remain one day over my time I might just as well
remain all the other days that are to follow it."
There was finality and conviction in the man's voice. Mrs.
Farmingham got up and began to walk about the room. She seemed
to speak to Hargrave, although he imagined that she was speaking
to herself.
"Now this is a pretty how-de-do," she said "Lady Holbert told me
about this find to-night at dinner. She said Major Mikos wanted
the money at once; but I didn't suppose he wanted it cash on the
hour like that. She brought me right away after dinner to see
him. And then I went for you." She stopped, and again made the
gesture as of one who, cracks a dog whip. "Now what shall I do?"
she said.
The last remark was evidently not addressed to Hargrave. It was
not addressed to anybody. It was merely the reflection of a
dominant nature taking counsel with itself. She took another
turn about the room. Then she pulled up short.
"See here," she said, "suppose you take these jewels and give the
major his money in the morning. Then I'll buy them of you."
"Very well, madam," said Hargrave; "but in that event we shall
charge you a ten per cent commission."
She stormed at that.
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