"I have never seen a horse for that part of the Colonies that was
capable of holding his own with our lot. If there is anything to work on
in Lucky Boy, I'll get it out of him, you may rest assured of that. If I
may venture on a word of advice, I think you ought to buy another horse
to lead him in his work and act as a sort of second string in case Lucky
Boy cannot run at any time."
"A very good idea," replied Jack. "I should like to buy a second string,
as you aptly call it, if you will take charge of him--but that would be
bringing another stranger into the stable," he added, laughing.
"Never mind that," replied the trainer. "When I have found out the sort
of horse Lucky Boy is, I shall be better able to advise you what kind of
a second string you require. I can arrange for trials with some of the
other horses later on, but, in the first place, it will be better to
have a companion for him in his work. I should not advise you to fly at
too high game at first, take a feeler and see what we can safely do."
Jack recognised this advice as sound and agreed with it; he thought how
Joel Kenley resembled his brother in his ways and mode of going to
work--cautious, yet having plenty of pluck at the right time. After a
round of the stables, where he saw some of the cracks of the Colony, he
left again for Sydney, promising to be on the track next morning with
Barry Tuxford.
Joel Kenley was very pleased with his visitor, and glad to make his
acquaintance.
"There's grit in him," he thought. "He looks as though he could ride a
determined finish, and when I see how he shapes at exercise, I'll take
good care he has a mount on one that will do him credit. Barry Tuxford's
a rum customer, and I have heard some funny tales about him; but he must
be a straight goer, or young Redland would not take him on."
"Well, what luck?" asked Barry as Jack entered their room in the hotel.
"Good luck; could not be better. Joel Kenley is one of the right sort,
he says he will take Lucky Boy into his stable and you can send him
along as soon as you like."
"That's good," said Barry, well satisfied, "we shall know the horse is
in safe hands."
Jack then explained what the trainer had suggested about a second string
to lead Lucky Boy in his work, and also to run in races if necessary.
"A second string!" exclaimed Barry. "It sounds a bit like pearls, a
string of 'em. I wonder if you will get hold of the black pearl for that
charming young lady you think so much about. I have had a good many
strings of pearls through my hands."
"I hope I shall get it," said Jack. "I have set my heart on having that
black pearl, it will bring us luck, I feel sure."
"If anyone can recover it, it will be Silas. He's an old thief, but
he'll be straight with me, and he knows how to handle such men as Amos
Hooker; he will deal with him in a way of his own that will probably
surprise us."
It would have surprised them had they known what had taken place at
Shark's Bay, and the fate of Amos Hooker, also that the black pearl was
safe in the hands of Silas Filey.
Almost at the moment they were conversing about it, Silas Filey had the
black pearl in his hands, and his eyes were fixed upon it with a greedy
fascination that was unmistakable. The pearl had been delivered into his
keeping and it was not for sale. He had promised to get it for Jack
Redland and Barry Tuxford, and had done so.
The spirit of the pearl buyer, the dealer, the judge of such precious
treasures, was roused on him as he looked at it. He knew it to be a
pearl of almost fabulous value, he had never seen one so perfectly
flawless, and he desired to possess it with an intensity of feeling
known only to the men who deal in such things.
He would not let it go without a struggle; he would offer a big sum for
it, not as much as it was worth, but sufficient to tempt a man in Jack
Redland's position. Barry Tuxford would probably ask him to place a
value upon it for Jack Redland to pay; if so, it should be reasonable,
allowing for him a substantial margin so that he could give a
considerable advance upon it in case Jack was induced to sell it.
Silas Filey misjudged his man, he little knew Jack Redland's determined
character, or his sterling honesty, which would forbid him, in any case,
to profit at the expense of others.