“Of course. I know exactly what you were thinking, and I am appreciative,” said Dortmann, calming and speaking in a sensitive and sympathetic tone. “But we will have no more of it. We will take all needful precautions. Your recent travels were dangerous enough. But for many people, to remain behind closed walls is safest. This is your home, and home for the others, as long as you are safe here. If that should change, then we will pray and seek our Father’s mind on the matter.”

The rabbi nodded.

“You’ve never asked me about the contents of the box I left you for safekeeping,” said the rabbi after a lengthy pause.

“I did not need to know.”

“Are you not curious?”

“I reserve my curiosities for matters of the spiritual realm that intrigue me. I do not consider curiosity in the physical realm an altogether edifying exercise.”

“Another of your unusual traits. Nevertheless, I think it is time I tell you.”

“As you wish. But I am equally comfortable not knowing.”

“The time may come when the contents of the box will put you in far greater danger than the presence in your hidden rooms of twenty or thirty Jews.”

“It is that valuable?”

“Of inestimable value. Though it is small, it contains several items that have tremendous historical significance for all of Jewry. How they came from Jerusalem, after its destruction in 70 A.D., to be housed in Warsaw is a mystery lost far back many generations in antiquity. There are rumors and legends of their extensive travels, some involving Russia, others the Orient—some of the legends speak of the Mediterranean and Africa. The point is, at some time centuries ago, they did arrive, by whatever means, in Warsaw, and eventually came into my hands, as the rabbi for that region, for safekeeping.”

“I must admit I am intrigued by what you say,” said the baron.

“You have heard of the Urim and Thummim?”

“Of course. The mysterious stones from Aaron’s breastplate.”

“The two diamonds in the box are said to be the Urim and Thummim.”

“What are they? I have never actually read a description. I had no idea they had survived!”