Sword in Sheath by Andre Norton Read Free Book Online

Norreys has joined his ancestors, is it your desire to carry on the dealings of his gem-buying House, young lord?”
    “It is. For many years did I learn from my grandfather such wisdom as was within my feeble power to absorb. Now I would carry on, though I cannot achieve his greatness — ”
    “That is so. He was such a one as is seldom born in any land. We who knew him were honored by his regard. But I have now on hand several pieces such as even he would have deigned to examine. Have I your permission to display these unworthy bits which I have gleaned?”
    Lorens showed no undue eagerness to see Lao's offerings, but a second clap of his master's hands brought the misshapen servant back into the room lugging a small teakwood table which he set down before the Netherlander. Then he dragged out a box which Lao unlocked.
    A square of white silk was unfolded on the dull black of the teak before Lao lifted from the chest a long narrow bundle wrapped in dull brocade. As carefully as if he were dealing with a time bomb the Chinese merchant plucked off the coverings and placed the glittering thing they concealed on the silk-covered table.

    Even Lorens’ breath came unevenly from between half-open lips when he caught full sight of the treasure. And Sam did not try to stop an exclamation of wonder.
    A four-inch skeleton of a lizard, perfect to the last tiny bone lay there — but it was not ivory or dull white — it was afire with blue and red, green and yellow — it was an opal!
    “Carved from opal?” Kane asked.
    “No. It is an opal itself.” Lorens leaned forward but he did not venture to touch. “There was one like this found once before — in Australia back in 1909. It is in a museum now. But here in the Orient such a find is priceless. As well you know, Lao.” He turned almost accusingly to the Chinese. “Perhaps one of the Rajahs of India might be able to pay your price — Norreys cannot”
    Lao smiled. “Truly a great find. It was brought to me by a man once very rich. The war had ruined him. He sold it— for all the cash I could raise and borrow. Oh, he knew its value, even as you and I do. But who am I to approach the great ones? I have no big name, no honor among the lords of India They would say that I had stolen it, and maybe I would find the law held against me. No, if Norreys does not wish to buy it, then I wish the House to act for me in this matter, bringing buyer and seller together.”
    “There must be proof of its origin,” warned the Netherlander.
    “That I know, and I am prepared to give it. This, too, was found in Australia, even as was that other you mentioned. But it was found in the early days before those of your race were interested in such gems. It was brought to Batavia by its discoverer who was one of those convicts escaping from the English colonies. He sold it for bread to a Rajah who sent it north as part of the bride gift of his daughter who sailed to marry a Malay princeling. That ship was captured by the pirates of the Straits, and thejewel came into the hands of the Sultan. One of his descendants gave it as a mark of favor to Datu Cooms — ”
    “ Cooms! But he's been dead for thirty years or more.”
    “Yes, dead without a son to follow him. But he left much of his treasure to one of his captains, and it was from that man that I bought the wonder. He had it by right — ”
    “Did he?” Lorens’ eyebrows rose quizzically. “It's true that Cooms had no heir, but it is also true that his island palace was sacked as soon as his men knew that the old man was truly dead. Well, I suppose your captain had as good a right to it as any. So you want Norreys to find a customer for you?”
    “If possible. See, I have made preparation in such hope.” He took from the chest an envelope of reptile skin and opened it to display a set of clear photographs, one full-size color drawing of the opal lizard, and a page of figures. “Here is all there is to be known, pictures, size,