"You've let it out now," said Phil laughing.
"A pearl? What pearl? Did you lose a valuable pearl?" asked Barry.
"We did," said Jack, "a black pearl. I may as well tell you all about it."
CHAPTER SEVENTEENTH
THE PEARL DEALER
Barry Tuxford listened attentively to Jack's story of the stolen pearl, and when it was ended said, "There is no doubt in my mind that one of those black fellows Amos Hooker engaged for you, stole it during the night. It was cleverly done, and I am surprised he was successful. Such a pearl as you have described ought to be worth four or five thousand pounds, probably more, if we found the right customer. Someone who possesses one pearl of the sort would give a stiff sum to get a pair."
"Do you think you will be able to recover it?" asked Jack, anxiously.
"It's a toss up whether we do or not. If Amos Hooker has it, I think it can be managed, but it will have to be very carefully worked. It will be better to say nothing at all about it, and make no inquiries. Amos will keep it for some time before he tries to dispose of it, and if we leave him alone he may get careless. Black pearls are very scarce, and one the shape and size of ours will be easily recognised. On the whole, I think it may be recovered, but it will cost money."
Jack was relieved to hear this, and said, when he and Barry were alone,—