"It certainly will," Owen declared. "But, see here, Max, what are you grinning about?"
"He's found something in his old oyster, bet you a cooky!" ejaculated
Bandy-legs, excitedly.
"Is that so, Max? Did you see our friend Toby, here, and go him one better?" asked Steve.
Max was still smiling broadly.
"You've got me up against the fence, fellows," he admitted. "Caught me with the goods on, as they say. Yes, it's a fact, I did find something in that second tough old mussel shell I opened."
"Was it really a decent pearl, Max?" pleaded Steve.
"Look for yourselves, boys, and tell me what you think."
As he spoke, Max opened his left hand.
The action allowed a small, milk-white object, much smaller than a pea, to escape. It rolled upon the board which composed the table; and as the fire burned brightly, all of the boys could easily examine it.
One by one they picked the tiny white object up and held it at several angles, to see how the glow of the fire seemed to reflect in faint prismatic colors from its surface.