"The public are apt to jump too quickly to conclusions, which are very
often wrong and unjust, and when you commence to look after their
affairs you take on a thankless task."
"Nevertheless, there must be no suspicion about any of our
transactions," said Barry.
After a long conversation it was decided to enter both Lucky Boy and
Black Boy for the Sydney Cup, and to run them both in two or three races
before that date.
"The Cup takes a tremendous lot of winning," said the trainer, "and I
tell you candidly I do not think either of your horses good enough for
it at present. They will improve, no doubt, at least I hope so, and
probably Lucky Boy will be the better of the pair."
"What do you think of that?" said Barry, laughing.
"Time will tell," replied Jack. "I have a presentiment Black Boy will
win the Cup outright."
"You are sanguine," said the trainer, smiling.
"I am, and if he wins I believe I shall also secure the black pearl,"
said Jack.
"You are more likely to secure the pearl than the Cup," said Barry.
It was not long after this that Barry Tuxford received a letter from
Silas Filey telling him that the black pearl was safe in his keeping,
that it was a beauty, one of the best he had ever seen, and he wished he
owned it. He requested him to put a price upon it, or allow him to make
an offer for it. He made no mention of Amos Hooker's death, as he was
not aware of it. There were sundry private matters touched upon, but the
gist of the whole letter was an endeavour to obtain the black pearl at a
fair price.
Barry handed the letter to Jack, who was overwhelmed with delight at its
recovery, and was for sending at once to Silas to forward it to Sydney,
so that he could send it to Winifred without delay.
Barry laughed at his impetuosity, and replied that the pearl was far too
valuable to pass through the post, and that he must possess his soul in
patience until they returned to Fremantle.
"The best plan will be to let Silas value it, and then you can pay over
the balance after deducting your share. He will put a fair marketable
price upon it, that I will impress upon him."
"But will it be safe in his hands, he seems to covet it?" said Jack.
"You say he is an old thief. I dare not trust him."
"He will not play me false for many reasons," replied Barry, "and you
may rest satisfied the pearl is quite safe."
"I shall not be content until I handle it again," said Jack.
He wrote a long letter to Winifred, in which he gave her a full account
of the adventures of the black pearl, which he one day hoped to place in
her possession. He then went on to describe their doings in Sydney and
told her about Black Boy and Lucky Boy, and what they intended doing
with them. He asked her to tell Sir Lester that if Black Boy turned out
well the horse would carry the black jacket and orange sleeves in the
Cup. He made many inquiries about the old places at home, and at the end
hinted at what lay nearest his heart. He wrote hopefully of the future,
and said he felt certain of securing a considerable amount of money in
the course of a year or two. "So far all my ventures have turned out
well, thanks to my good friend and adviser, Barry Tuxford, and there is
no reason why my good fortune should not continue. I long for the time
when I shall see you again, and wonder if I shall find you changed in
looks and sentiments towards myself. I lay the flattering unction to my
soul that you do like me just a little bit more than other people," and
so on.
If he could have seen Winifred's face when she was reading his letter he
would have had no hesitation in taking her in his arms, as he did once
before, and kissing her. Her eyes glowed with the growing love she had
for him, and her joy was unbounded.