David Grief sat writing at the library table in the bungalow
living-room. Outside, the first pale of dawn was showing. He had had a
busy night. Mrs. Raffy had taken two hysterical hours to pack her and
Captain Raffy's possessions. Gorman had been caught asleep, but Watson,
standing guard over the divers, had shown fight. Matters did not reach
the shooting stage, but it was only after it had been demonstrated to
him that the game was up that he consented to join his companions on
board. For temporary convenience, he and Gorman were shackled in the
mate's room, Mrs. Raffy was confined in Grief's, and Captain Raffy made
fast to the cabin table.
Grief finished the document and read over what he had written:
To Swithin Hall,
for pearls taken from his lagoon (estimated) $100,000
To Herbert Snow, paid in full for salvage from
steamship Cascade in pearls (estimated) $60,000
To Captain Raffy, salary and expenses for
collecting pearls 7,500
To Captain Raffy, reimbursement for
schooner Emily L., lost in hurricane 7,500
To Mrs. Raffy, for good will, five fair
pearls (estimated) 1,100
To passage to Syndey, four persons,
at $120. 480
To white lead for painting Swithin
Hall's two whaleboats 9
To Swithin Hall, balance in pearls (estimated)
which are to be found in drawer of library table 23,411
$100,000--$100,000
Grief signed and dated, paused, and added at the bottom:
_P. S.--Still owing to Swithin Hall three books, borrowed
from library: Hudson's “Law of Psychic Phenomena,” Zola's
“Paris,” and Mahan's “Problem of Asia.” These books, or full
value, can be collected of said David Griefs Sydney office_.
He shut off the electric light, picked up the bundle of books, carefully
latched the front door, and went down to the waiting whaleboat.