"Well...." he seemed hesitant, but she glanced over her shoulder and imparted a sense of urgency.  She could see his resolve crumble and felt that her looks and attitude had much to do with it.  "If he means the gem, it's locked up in the safe.  It's just as he asked, a single ruby cut flawlessly with no chips or discolorations.  I don't know why he needs one so large, it cost over six hundred golden crowns to find and bring here!"<br/><br/>He smiled and leaned in, "Don't tell anyone about it though, it's supposed to be a secret, something the master needs for a spell I think."<br/><br/>The steward straightened and said, "As for the rest of the master's funds, they have been allocated properly, and as he expects, there have been no changes from my normal method of tracking his funds.  You may tell him not to worry on that account.  The cost for his ruby was drawn from several sources so that none are especially hard hit."