"He'll spring another five hundred, and he can have them. It's a good
price, but he'll make a clear couple of thousand out of the deal if he
has a customer for the big ones."
Silas Filey went to the side of the schooner and seemed about to go down
into his boat. He hesitated, and Barry said, "Make it another five
hundred and you shall have them, with one condition attached," he added,
as though a thought had occurred to him.
"A condition," said Silas, surprised. "What sort of a condition?"
"Will you give the price, L4500?" asked Barry.
"It's a robbery, they're not worth it."
"Bosh," said Barry, testily. "Don't be such an old fool, you know they
are worth it, to you."
"Why to me more than anyone else?"
"Because you know where to place them."
Silas sighed, there was much truth in Barry's remarks. Here were all the
pearls ready to his hand, it might take him months to get such a lot
together.
"I'll give it you," he said, at last.
"And you've got a bargain," said Barry. Jack Redland was delighted,
there was still the pearl shell to sell, it was a rare haul.
"What condition do you attach?" asked Silas.
"We have lost a valuable black pearl, it has been stolen, and we want
you to help us to get it back."
"A black pearl?" said Silas, amazed. "Tell me all about it," he said,
eagerly.
"Mr. Redland will tell you, but first of all will you help us?"
"Of course I will, and buy it from you."
"It is not for sale," said Jack.
Silas Filey's face fell, he would have given a good deal to secure such
a prize.
"Tell me all about it," he said, and Jack gave him a brief outline of
the robbery and a description of the pearl.
"Where do you think it is?" he asked.
"I know where it is, at least I am almost certain," said Barry. "An old
scoundrel we both know at Shark's Bay has it. He put the black fellows
up to stealing some of our pearls, and they happened to get the best. I
mean Amos Hooker, he's the man."
"He has it!" exclaimed Silas. "I'd like to get it. He's a bad lot, is
Amos. I hope I can do it for you, I think I can. I'll get into
communication with him. He'll not be able to sell it in a hurry."
"You will have to be careful, or he'll be on his guard," said Barry.
"I have had dealings with him before, and he will not be at all
suspicious of me. Are you quite sure you will not sell it? Do you know
what such a pearl as you have described is worth?" he said, turning to
Jack.
"I have no idea."
"Anything between three to seven thousand; it is worth the latter sum to
a man who already possesses one."