A Set of Diamonds

The central figure of this brief sketch is a jewel-case––a case of magnificent diamonds, which came nigh costing me dear. You see I was vastly proud of these diamonds, having bought them in Paris during the great International Exposition, and, at the time my little adventure occurred, it would have required strong evidence to convince me that the country held anything so fine in their way. But never mind about that; they were a suburb set. Of this there was no sort of doubt, and so there was no sort of doubt, and so thought my jeweler, to whom I carried them one day, and who handled them with a good deal of affection, pointing out to me beauties which evinced his good taste and experience. He closed the case with what sounded to me like a sigh, and I left the shop with increased appreciation of my prize.

And here commenced my adventure.

A gentleman accosted me, a few paces from my friend’s door.

“Sir,” said he, with a look of profound enthusiasm, which was lit up by an almost imperceptible smile of courteous blandness, “I feel so much under… Read More