"A letter for you, Win, from----"
"Jack!" she exclaimed.
"Yes, I expect so; we have not many friends in Australia."
She thought of the gypsy woman, and how quickly her words had come true.
She opened the letter and read it eagerly, devouring every word before
she proclaimed the contents to her father; but he was contented to wait.
He knew how much these letters meant to her.
"Well, what news, my girl?" he asked.
"Oh, it's splendid; it sounds too good to be true--too much like a fairy
tale."
"Read and I shall understand," he replied smiling.
She read Jack's long letter, telling her of the adventure of the great
black pearl, and how he was determined to secure it for her, and bring
it home in triumph. It was one of the finest of pearls, and no one was
half so worthy of it as she. He had meant it for her the moment he had
found it in the shell. Now an "old thief of a pearl dealer had it," but
Barry Tuxford said it was safe, and what Barry affirmed was gospel. Then
she read about gold discoveries, mining shares, racehorses, and many
other things, and finally wound up by saying on her own account that she
always knew Jack would be a success, and that he would make a fortune.
"What do you think of him, father?"
"He is a brave fellow, and worthy of my daughter's love."
"How do you know he has it, or that he wants it?" she asked slily.
"There are certain symptoms, Win, I cannot fail to understand, and if
Jack does not want my little girl he's about as big a fool as the earth
holds," replied Sir Lester laughing.
"A black pearl. Fancy me wearing such a precious thing. I shall be
frightened to touch it, after all the adventures it has passed through."
"You have not got it yet."
"But Jack says he will get it for me, and that is quite sufficient."
"His friend, Barry Tuxford, must be an extraordinary man. I should like
to meet him," said Sir Lester.
"And so should I, to thank him for all he has done for Jack."
"Send him a special message in your next letter. He deserves a page to
himself," said her father.
"And he shall have it; a whole page," said Winifred.