Thick juicy steaks were served with fresh vegetables followed by passion fruit jelly, but I scarcely noticed what I ate. My attention-like that of the men-was on Isa, and in particular on Isa and Joss. I noticed how once or twice she placed her hand over his and the manner in which he smiled at her. And it seemed to me that Mrs. Laud and Lilias were watching me in order to gauge my reactions.

Ezra seemed to be pleased by the effect his wife had and it was dear that he was one of her greatest admirers. I tried to tell myself that she was an empty-headed and frivolous woman, but I knew there was more to her than that. She was secret, subtle and cunning, and while she scolded Joss tor marrying so hastily without letting them know and pretended it was all something of a joke, I was sure she was exceedingly piqued about it.

She returned to the subject of the Green Rash and repeated the story of Desmond Dereham’s death in America and his confession.

“It seems that Ben had the opal all the time,” she said.

“In that case what on earth happened to it?”

There was a brief silence and then Joss lifted his eyes and looking straight at me said: “Before Ben died he told my wife and me where he had hidden the Green Rash. He left it to us jointly.”

Isa clasped her hands.

“I want to see it. I can’t wait.”

“I’m afraid I can’t show it to you,” said Joss, ‘because when we looked in the place where Ben said he had hidden it, it was no longer there.”

Mrs. Laud had turned very pale.

“Do you mean, Mr. Madden, that it was in this house… ?”

“When Ben put it there. Since then it seems someone has stolen it.”

“It’s no longer in this house then,” said Mrs. Laud quietly. Thank God for that. “

“You’ve been Listening to those tales, Mrs. Laud,” said Ezra. There always are tales about a fine stone. It’s a sop to people’s vanity.

They don’t want anyone to enjoy what they can’t so they say it’s unlucky and these tales get around. But, I say, what a thing to happen ! What’ll you do. Joss ? “

“I’m going to find it, but where to start looking ?”

“Who could have known where Ben had hidden it?” said Ezra.

“Would he have told anyone?”

“I am sure he didn’t. He didn’t tell me until he was dying. Then he told us both… Jessica and me.”

“Where was it?” demanded Isa.

“He had had a cavity made in a picture frame.”

“How exciting and mysterious!” cried Isa.

“I do wonder who has stolen it?”

“I don’t envy them,” murmured Mrs. Laud.

“Oh, Mother, you take the rumours too seriously,” said Jimson.

There’s one thing I want to say,” said Joss.

“I’ve said it before. I don’t doubt I’ll have to say it again. I don’t want a lot of talk about unlucky stones. People could stop buying opals because of such talk.” , “Joss,” whispered Isa, ‘how can you start looking for the Green Flash? “

“It’s no use putting up a bill saying ” Will the thief return priceless opal he stole from Peacocks sometime during the last two years”, is it?”

Hardly. So how will you begin? “

I shall have to work that out, but I’m determined to find it. “

“And what Joss determines he always does, doesn’t he, Mrs. Madden?” The tawny eyes mocked me.

“You will know that as well as any of us.”

“I’m sure he’s very determined.”

“I don’t want talk in the town about this,” said Joss.

They’re already talking about Desmond Dereham’s not having stolen it and Ben’s having it all the time,” said Ezra.

“I know, but let that die down.” He addressed Ezra, and I noticed afresh how when he wanted a subject changed he made it clear.

“Have you added any good horses to your stables lately?”

“One or two. You’ll be interested, joss. I’ve got a little beauty … a grey mare. She’s called Wattle. I’ve never known any horse with such feeling. She’s really fond of me.”

“All horses are fond of you,” put in Jimson. "You have a way with them.

”

“Horses and women,” said Isa, looking archly at her husband.

“Horses anyway,” replied Ezra.

“Have you got a good horse for Mrs. Madden ?” he asked Joss.

“I’ve been thinking what there is in the stables. I’ll probably have a look round.”

“I’d like to give her my Wattle. She’s just the ticket. She’s strong, will of her own and malleable. If I drop a word in her ear she’ll be just the mount for the lady.”

I said: This is too generous. “

Ezra waved his hand.

“Oh, it’s all in the Company. You’re’ one of us now, you know.”

“I’m most grateful…”

“You’ll love her. She’s a real beaut… and such a good girl too.

Treat her right and she’ll treat you right and if I just give her the word. all will be well. “

“It’s true,” Jimson told me.

“I’ve never known anyone talk to horses as Ezra does.”

“It’s very kind of you,” I said. Thank you. “

Well, that’s settled,” said Isa.

“David, I can’t wait to see your treasures.”

“Perhaps after coffee,” suggested Mrs. Laud.

Isa was obviously impatient for coffee to be over and this was soon taken in the parlour. Then we went into the drawing-room and before the eyes of the haughty peacock on the wall, who, could he have spoken, might have told us who had stolen the Green Flash, David sat at a table and opened the rolled-up cases. The blinds had been raised to let the light in with sun down and as there was no gaslight at Peacocks several candles were lighted to shed their soft glow over the room.

We were all seated at a round table-Joss and Isa on either side of David Croissant, myself next to Joss and Ezra, on the other side of his wife. The three Lauds sat together. I was beginning to think their position embarrassed them; they were of the family and yet not quite of it, something to which they themselves by their very manner called attention, and which existed for that reason.

In the centre of the table was a candelabrum and as David unrolled the cases the gems glowed in their wonderful colours and I was fascinated by the flashes of fire.

“You’ve got some fine specimens there, David,” said Ezra.

Mostly from South Australia, this lot,” replied David. They’re hard come by. You’re lucky here. Conditions are not so good in the gibber country. It’s dry as a bone and gougers ; there suffer great hardship-hardly any firewood, and water scarce as gold in a worked-out mine.”

“He’s trying to put the prices up,” said Ezra with a wink.

Joss turned to me.

“Gibber country is flat plains strewn with stones.

Hard to live with, you can imagine. ” And I was irrationally pleased because he had remembered me.

“But David,” said Isa imperiously, ‘where is this Harlequin we’ve heard so much about? “

“All in good time,” replied David.

“If you saw it first you wouldn’t want to look at the others.”

“What a tease you are!“ He unrolled another case and the men examined the opals, commenting on their size, colour, cut and other technicalities.

Please, David,” wailed Isa, ” I want to see the Harlequin. “

So he opened a case and there it was in all its glory-even more beautiful’ than it had seemed on the previous occasion, but perhaps I was a little more knowledgeable and able to recognize its superior qualities.

David lifted the stone and let the light fall on it. He touched it cares singly I wondered whether he was thinking of its beauty or its worth.

Isa reached for it impatiently. She cupped it in her hands.

“It’s magnificent,” she crooned.

“I love it. Look at those colours.

Harlequin, yes. No wonder Columbine loved him. Light fantastic colours . ” She lifted her glowing face.

“I think it’s one of the loveliest stones I ever saw.”

“I reckon it’s worth a tidy sum,” said Ezra.

“You’re reckoning right,” said David.

“I’d give a good deal to add that one to my collection,” sighed Isa. “I can see I’ll have to start saving up,” commented Ezra.

Joss turned to me again.

“Isa has one of the finest collections of opals. She doesn’t necessarily want to deck herself out in them. She takes them out and gloats over them.”

Isa laughed, her tigress face animated by an expression I could not fathom. There was triumph in it and a certain greed.

They’re my inheritance,” she told me.

“If Ezra ever decides to discard me I might have to realize my fortune.”

“You think there is a possibility of his doing so?” I couldn’t stop myself asking coolly. I was a little tired of her thrusting her superior attractions under my nose.

“As if I ever could!” said Ezra fondly.

“Isa’s a jackdaw,” he went on, again to me as though, since I had come here to learn about opals and the country, I must also learn about the delectable Isa.

“When she hears of the best stone of the year she wants it for her collection ” Oh, how I should love to add this beautiful stone to it,” said Isa.

“If I had it I would stop these commercially minded men treating this beautiful object as though it represents nothing but a certain amount of money. You do understand that, don’t you, Mrs. Madden?”

“Of course,” I answered.

“A stone like that will eventually go into a private collection, I imagine,” said Joss.

“And you want to add it to yours, I suppose?” Isa asked Joss pertly.

A look I did not understand passed between them and he said quietly:

“I’m considering.”

Isa turned to me.

“Ifs true that over the years I have got together some really fine stones. I should so much enjoy showing them to you some time.”