‘Mr Ransome,’ said Garth Steinman, ‘I’d like you to meet Herr Albert Ballin. You might have heard of Herr Ballin — he is the managing director of the Hamburg-Amerika Line. He is also a close personal friend of the Kaiser, and that is why he has come here today.’

Herr Ballin stepped forward, one hand thrust into the pocket of his trousers, the other around his cigar. He looked at Peter for a while, his eyes half-closed against the smoke, and then he said, ‘I have inspected your diamond, Mr Ransome, and I have made Mr Steinman an offer. My intention is to present it to the Kaiser as a gift on his next birthday.’

‘Well, I’m sure the Kaiser will like it,’ said Peter, hesitantly. ‘Is the offer fair, Mr Steinman?’

‘Three millions, seven hundred and fifty-thousand,’ smiled Garth Steinman. ‘Three millions to be paid in two instalments in cash, in a London bank. The remainder in Hamburg-Amerika securities.’

Albert Ballin sat down in a small armchair, and crossed his podgy legs. ‘You will not refuse me, Mr Ransome? I have a reputation for getting everything I want. My enemies call it ballinismus.’

‘I can recommend that you accept the offer,’ said Steinman. ‘I doubt if anybody else is in a position to be more generous than Herr Ballin.’

Peter thought for a moment, and then shrugged. ‘The arrangement seems fair to me. As long as Herr Ballin is satisfied.’

Albert Ballin nodded. ‘I am more than satisfied. This is one of the great treasures of the earth.’

‘You want to have it tested first?’ asked Steinman.

Ballin laughed. ‘I think I trust you. Mind you, I could always drop it into a glass of clear crème-de-menthe, couldn’t I? That’s supposed to be an infallible test for diamonds.’

Garth Steinman said, ‘You can drop it into whatever you want. But I should warn you that the old crème-de-menthe test is something of a romantic fallacy. The theory behind it is that, in crème-de-menthe, a diamond will show up clearly, because of its high refractive qualities, whereas a synthetic stone will disappear. The trouble is, plenty of up-to-date synthetics have high refractive indices, too. I would hate you to fool yourself.’

‘Very well,’ said Herr Ballin. ‘I will forego the test. If you are content with the price, Mr Ransome, I will talk to my bankers in the morning.’

‘The price is fine,’ said Peter. ‘I’m just wondering if the destiny is right.’

‘The destiny?’ asked Herr Ballin.

‘I’m wondering if this diamond was really meant to be the personal property of the Kaiser, and to be inherited by the German monarchy.’

Garth Steinman walked across to his desk, where the diamond was lying on a small cushion of white velvet, and picked it up. ‘You should understand, Mr Ransome, that diamonds, even more than people, have their own destiny. Whatever their owners do, they will always find their place in history. If this diamond is not happy with the Kaiser, then it will not stay with the Kaiser. In any case, why should you worry? You are a rich man now, and you can do whatever you wish. Racing those motor cars of yours, I shouldn’t be surprised?’