It is of no
consequence to us which is the correct solution.
"The main fact is that he HAD the pearl, and at that moment,
when it was on his person, he was pursued by the police.
He made for the factory in which he worked, and he knew that
he had only a few minutes in which to conceal this enormously
valuable prize, which would otherwise be found on him when he
was searched. Six plaster casts of Napoleon were drying in
the passage. One of them was still soft. In an instant Beppo,
a skilful workman, made a small hole in the wet plaster, dropped
in the pearl, and with a few touches covered over the aperture
once more. It was an admirable hiding-place. No one could
possibly find it. But Beppo was condemned to a year's
imprisonment, and in the meanwhile his six busts were scattered
over London. He could not tell which contained his treasure.
Only by breaking them could he see. Even shaking would tell him
nothing, for as the plaster was wet it was probable that the
pearl would adhere to it -- as, in fact, it has done. Beppo did
not despair, and he conducted his search with considerable
ingenuity and perseverance.
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