"Easily. You see, it will cut to four or five stones of extraordinary
size, and--unless I am much mistaken--of perfect purity. Also, the
color--this lovely, delicate, apple-green tint is almost unknown. The
only diamond of this color in the world, of any importance, is the
famous Dresden Green, one of the crown jewels of Saxony."
"Is this much larger," inquired Cyrus, "than that Dresden diamond?"
"Many times larger."
"And much larger than any of the famous diamonds?"
"Yes, indeed! Much, much, very much larger. No comparison, in fact.
Why, Mr. Alton, if this were cut to one stone, half its present
size--as a rough guess--it would be over three thousand carats."
Nephew William gasped. "Three thousand carats! Why, there's nothing
like it! It would be the most famous stone in the world!"
"No doubt about that," said Mr. Bressani.
"How much is the Great Mogul?" asked William.
"Less than two hundred carats."
"And the Koh-i-noor?"
"One hundred and eight."
"And the Star of the South?"
"About a hundred and twenty-seven carats."
"Did you ever see the Hope diamond?"
"Yes; forty-five carats. Almost circular in shape; sold for eighteen
thousand pounds. But it is believed--at least there is a story--that it
brings bad luck to its owners."
"It is blue, isn't it?"
"Yes, blue, and a good color, but not so beautiful nor so rare, as
this shade of green. This is a wonder." And as he spoke he turned
the stone in every light. "It's a marvelous thing. Marvelous! Almost
unbelievable!"
"Can you tell me," said Cyrus, "about how much it is worth?"