"Oh," he explained, "I have a very large quantity of rich ore which I wish to lodge in some place where it will be secure and yet easy of access."
"I would recommend you to rent a strong-room in the safe deposit across the street. There you have absolute security and quick access during business hours."
Philip expressed his thanks and quitted the bank with his agent.
In the middle of Holborn, in the midst of the jostling, hurrying occupants of one of the busiest thoroughfares in London, he pulled the giant diamond out of his pocket and suddenly held it under the Jew's nose.
"I told you I had them as big as hen's eggs," he cried. "What do you think of this one?"
Isaacstein glanced at it for one fascinated second. Then he looked around with the stealthy air of a man who fears lest he may be detected in the commission of a terrible crime.
"No, not mad," answered Philip, coolly, as he pocketed the gem. "I only wanted you to wobble."
"Yes. You look so like a big top at times. When do we meet again, Mr. Isaacstein?"
"You are not going away by yourself with that stone in your pocket?"
"Why not! It attracted no special notice from the people as I came here. Nobody can smell it. It won't explode, nor burn a hole in my clothes. It is quite safe, I assure you."
"But let me take it to Amsterdam. Boy! boy! It must weigh four hundred carats!"
"Enough of business for to-day. I have a lot of things to attend to. Shall we say Tuesday?"
"No. Wednesday at eleven. One word. Let me put it in my safe."
Philip hailed a hansom and drove off to Ludgate Hill, smiling graciously at Isaacstein as he whirled away.
The Jew swayed gently through the crowd until he reached the office, when he dropped limply into his chair. Then he shouted for his confidential clerk.
"Samuel," he murmured, "take charge, please. I'm going home. I want to rest before I start for Harwich. And, Samuel!"
"While I am away you might order another scales. In future we will sell diamonds by the pound, like potatoes."
After picking up his belongings at the outfitter's, two smart Gladstone bags with "P. A." nicely painted on them, Philip stopped his cab at Somerset House. He experienced no difficulty in reaching the proper department for stamping documents, and thus giving them legal significance.