As The Miko was large, there was plenty of accommodation, and the servants were persuaded to go below and sleep. The women were very hysterical, and the men greatly upset. Everyone was devoted to the Squire, and hoped against hope that he had been saved. But it was noticeable that no one troubled about Theodore. Until that night Basil had no idea how very unpopular his brother really was. But he had not much time to think, as the greater part of his time was spent in soothing Patricia. She felt the dreadful accident and its consequences much more than did Mara. That young lady neither wept nor expressed any great sorrow. With a rigid face she stared into the gloom which veiled the home of her childhood, and made scarcely any remark.
Akira, when Harry came on board, privately asked him if he thought that either Colpster or his nephew had escaped.
"I'm certain they have not," said Pentreddle emphatically. "Mr. Theodore was tied up, and the last I saw of the Squire he was at the window cursing me for taking away the Mikado Jewel."
"Ah, yes! You brought that away with you!" Akira held out his hand.
Harry produced the Jewel, which he had thrust carelessly into his pocket after his glimpse of it on the launch. "They all fell on their faces," he told the Japanese.
Akira smiled in a peculiar manner. "No wonder, when they saw the might of the Earth-Spirit."
"What do you mean exactly, sir?" asked the sailor, quite puzzled.
The Count handled the Jewel reverently, and producing a sandal-wood box, carefully wrapped up the emerald and its jade setting in fine silk before placing it therein. "I mean that this jewel holds the power of the Earth-Spirit, and pulled down the cliff on those who had to be punished," was his remark, as he locked the box and put it away safely.
"Is this the punishment you intended for Mr. Theodore for murdering my mother?" asked Pentreddle, with a faltering voice.
"Yes. Are you not satisfied?"