human
The newspapers did not publish a description of the jewels stolen on the _Monarchic_, he went on, brushing the Countess de Santiago aside.
gpt
It was thought best at the time not to give the reporters a list. To me, that seemed a mistake. Who knows, for instance, through how many hands the Malindore diamond may have passed? If some honest person, recognizing it from a description in the papers, for instance----
human
The Malindore diamond! exclaimed Lady Cartwright, forgetting politeness in her interest, and cutting short a sentence which began dully.
gpt
Isn't that the wonderful blue diamond that the British Museum refused to buy three years ago, because it hadn't enough money to spend, or something?
human
Quite so, replied Ruthven Smith, adding with pride:
gpt
But the Van Vrecks had enough money. They always have when a unique thing is for sale; and they are rich enough to wait for years, with their money locked up, till somebody comes along who wants the thing. That happened in the case of the Malindore diamond. The Van Vrecks hoped to sell it to Mr. Pierpont Morgan. But he died, and it was left on their hands till this last autumn.
human
Ah, then that lovely blue diamond was sold with the other things the Van Vreck agent lost on the _Monarchic_?
gpt
Oh, yes, of course. It was Lady Eve Cassenden. That marriage made a big sensation among us. _Horrid_, I call it! But she hadn't a penny, and they say he's the richest Maharajah in India.
human
The Malindore diamond was once in his family, I understand, about five hundred years ago, when we first begin to get at its history, Ruthven Smith went on, ignoring the Maharajah as he had ignored the Countess de Santiago.
gpt
It was then the central jewel of a crown. But later, Louis XIV, on obtaining possession of it, had it set in a ring, and surrounded with small white brilliants. It still remains in that form, or did so remain until it was stolen from our agent on the _Monarchic_. What form it is in and where it is now, only those who know can say.