“It is a diamond!”

And yet the idea was too preposterous for credence.  Who would present a diamond as big as a walnut with a trumpery puzzle?  Besides, all the diamonds which the world contains of that size are almost as well known as the Koh-i-noor.

“If it is a diamond, it is worth—­it is worth—­Heaven only knows what it isn’t worth if it’s a diamond.”

I regarded it through a strong pocket lens.  As I did so I could not restrain an exclamation.

“The world to a China orange, it is a diamond!”

The words had scarcely escaped my lips than there came a tapping at the door.

“Come in!” I cried, supposing it was Bob.  It was not Bob, it was Pugh.  Instinctively I put the lens and the crystal behind my back.  At sight of me in my nightshirt Pugh began to shake his head.

“What hours, Tress, what hours!  Why, my dear Tress, I’ve breakfasted, read the papers and my letters, came all the way from my house here, and you’re not up!”

“Don’t I look as though I were up?”

“Ah, Tress!  Tress!” He approached the dressing-table.  His eye fell upon the ruins.  “What’s this?”

“That’s the solution to the puzzle.”

“Have you—­have you solved it fairly, Tress?”

“It has solved itself.  Our handling, and tapping, and hammering must have freed the springs which the box contained, and during the night, while I slept, they have caused it to come open.”

“While you slept?  Dear me!  How strange!  And—­what are these?”

He had discovered the two upright wires on which the crystal had been poised.

“I suppose they’re part of the puzzle.”

“And was there anything in the box?  What’s this?” He picked up the scrap of paper; I had left it on the table.  He read what was written on it:  “’A Present For You.’  What’s it mean?  Tress, was this in the box?”

“It was.”

“What’s it mean about a present?  Was there anything in the box besides?”

“Pugh, if you will leave the room I shall be able to dress; I am not in the habit of receiving quite such early calls, or I should have been prepared to receive you.  If you will wait in the next room, I will be with you as soon as I’m dressed.  There is a little subject in connection with the box which I wish to discuss with you.”

“A subject in connection with the box?  What is the subject?”

“I will tell you, Pugh, when I have performed my toilet.”

“Why can’t you tell me now?”

“Do you propose, then, that I should stand here shivering in my shirt while you are prosing at your ease?  Thank you; I am obliged, but I decline.  May I ask you once more, Pugh, to wait for me in the adjoining apartment?”

He moved toward the door.  When he had taken a couple of steps, he halted.

“I—­I hope, Tress, that you’re—­you’re going to play no tricks on me?”