"Where's Phil Danks?" asked Jack.
"Having a rest. We can tell him what a fright you had when we have found it."
They went to Jack's cabin and turned everything out, but no black pearl could they find.
Jacob sat on a chest and looked at his companion.
"Hand over the case," he said.
Jack gave it him, and he examined it carefully.
"It has been forced with a knife, here are the scratches on it. How did the thief get hold of it? Have you ever left it off when you turned in?"
"No," replied Jack. "I always took the precaution to sleep with it on."
"Could anyone take the case out of your belt and replace it while you were asleep?" asked Jacob.
"Impossible. I am a light sleeper, and the slightest touch would rouse me."