_THE PEARL DEALER_
Barry Tuxford listened attentively to Jack's story of the stolen pearl,
and when it was ended said, "There is no doubt in my mind that one of
those black fellows Amos Hooker engaged for you, stole it during the
night. It was cleverly done, and I am surprised he was successful. Such
a pearl as you have described ought to be worth four or five thousand
pounds, probably more, if we found the right customer. Someone who
possesses one pearl of the sort would give a stiff sum to get a pair."
"Do you think you will be able to recover it?" asked Jack, anxiously.
"It's a toss up whether we do or not. If Amos Hooker has it, I think it
can be managed, but it will have to be very carefully worked. It will be
better to say nothing at all about it, and make no inquiries. Amos will
keep it for some time before he tries to dispose of it, and if we leave
him alone he may get careless. Black pearls are very scarce, and one the
shape and size of ours will be easily recognised. On the whole, I think
it may be recovered, but it will cost money."
Jack was relieved to hear this, and said, when he and Barry were
alone,--
"I have a particular reason for wishing to recover that pearl. Do you
know what I intended doing if we had brought it here safely?"
"No."
"I intended asking you to buy it for me, and allow me to pay for it when
I had the money."