He bent
forward to Yada.
"How much do you know?" he demanded.
Yada showed his white teeth again.
"A plain--and a wide question, Mr. Levendale!" he answered, with a laugh.
"I see that you are anxious to enlist my services. Evidently, you believe
that I do know something. But--you are not the owner of the diamond! Which
of these gentlemen is?"
Levendale made a half impatient gesture towards Stephen Purvis, who nodded
at Yada but remained silent.
"He is!" said Levendale, testily. "But you--can do your talking to me.
Again--how much do you know in this matter?"
"Enough to make it worth your while to negotiate with me," answered Yada.
"Is that as plain as your question?"
"It's what I expected," said Levendale. "You want to sell your knowledge."
"Well?" assented Yada, "I am very sure you are willing to purchase."
Once more that duel of the eyes--and to John Purdie, who prided himself on
being a judge of expressions, it was evident that the younger man was more
than the equal of the older. It was Levendale who gave way--and when he
took his eyes off Yada, it was to turn to Stephen Purvis.
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