KNOTTY PROBLEM

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 November 1923, Page 8

KNOTTY PROBLEM

OWNERSHIP OF DIAMOND. A most remarkable coincidence is related in regard to the loss of several precious stones on an Auckland croquet green on Labour Day. Two ladies were enjoying a game during the afternoon, when their pleasure was marred by one of them observing that a sapphire had disappeared from her ring. Her surprise was increased to consternation when she discovered upon further examination of the ring that a diamond was also missing. Thia misfortune naturally prompted the other lady to glance at her own ring, when to her amazement and dismay she found that the diamond belonging to it was nowhere, to be seen. The curious and puzzling manner in which the precious stones should have disappeared from both rings at once was utterly inexplicable. A careful search was immediately in-

stituted, and to the delight of the ladies their assiduous efforts to find the gems were rewarded by the discovery of one of the missing diamonds. Who was tire owner? Amid suppressed excitement the diamond was tried in the setting of one of the rings. It fitted exactly. “■Will it fit my ring?” asked the other, breathlessly. With perhaps a little anxiety hoicompanion handed over the diamond. Hopes and fears ran high; and lo! it slipped perfectly into position in the ■second ring! Here was indeed a problem calling for the wisdom of a Solomon. Accordingly the rival claimants hastened to a jeweller’s to test their claims of ownership. But, alas! the jeweller could offer them no solution of the problem. They consulted another jeweller, with a like result. It seemed that there was no means of overcoming the deadlock; and they did not welcome the idea of settling the matter by chance—the drawing of lots.

It was mutually agreed that the loss be shared equally, one taking the diamond and paying the other half its price. The contract was about to be completed; the amount of the payment had been assigned over to one of the ladies with full rights of ownership, the other surrendering her right for due compensation .

But it was decided, in case of some chance good fortune, to make another search of the pavilion where the jewels had been missed. The other diamond iniglft perchance have lodged in some unseen hiding place. Carefully, with a broom, the search was made. It neenied that the gem had disappeared, maybe for ever. Suddenly, in the dust, a bright spec was seen. It was only a speck, but the ladies would not pass it without inspection. It was the other diamond! 'l’he sapphire was never discovered, but. the two Indies were decidedly pleased I hat each should have recovered her diamond, although neither can never be satisfied that’she was really got. back the gem which actually fell out of her own ring!