In Search of an Unknown Race — page 142: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

130 ; VAN. untary cry escaped Van’s lips as in each he saw little heaps of cut and uncut gems. There were sapphires and emeralds, whose posses- sion a queen might envy ; moonstones like drops of petrified water, holding the rays of a tropic moon in their depths ; opals with their hearts of fire, golden beryls, rubies of wonderful size and depth of coloring, and pearls which centuries before had been brought from the Pacific coast. The middle compartment of the tray was somewhat larger than the rest. And Van was mute with amaze- ment as his eyes rested on its glittering contents, con- sisting entirely of diamonds. Diamonds in size from a seed pearl to half a hazel nut; straw colored and slightly rose tinted stones, bluish white and greenish pink—all these ‘‘ off color stones” lay carelessly intermingled with a fax greater number of gems of the ‘‘ purest ray serene.’ ‘‘Much of my wealth came through my wife,” said Mr. Briscoe quietly, when Van had somewhat exhausted his raptures. ‘‘Speaking from an American point of view, lam not exaggerating when I tell you that I do not know how much commercial value all this repre- sents.” ‘‘T don’t see how you can know,” exclaimed Van, wondering to what huge figures his uncle’s wealth would amount. Mr. Briscoe, without replying, took from a separate compartment a small box of curiously chased silver, which he extended to Van. ‘That contains diamonds, Van,” he said kindly, ‘‘and I think you will find on your return to America 3? Eomichooksrco