Barry disappeared, and Silas muttered to himself—
"He's a confounded humbug, he's keeping me here for fun. I wonder what they have on board. He'll drive a hard bargain now he sees I am so eager, but I must have the pearls, it's a big deal if I get what my man wants."
When Barry Tuxford returned, he said,—
"If I let you have first pick you must be prepared to give a stiff price, I know the value of pearls as well as you do."
"I'll deal fair with you, upon my word, I will," said Silas. "May I come up?"
"Yes," replied Barry, "and mind, there's to be no Jew business about this transaction."
Silas Filey scrambled up the ladder and climbed over the side of the schooner. Barry introduced him to Jack, who thought the dealer a curious looking man to handle valuable pearls.
Jacob Rank and Phil were both known to Silas, who congratulated the former on his return to life.
"We thought you'd gone under, Jacob," he said, "but I'm glad such is not the case. You have made a grand discovery, I hear, found pearls by the hundreds, somewhere. You are a clever chap, Jacob, very clever."
"And who gave you such valuable information?" asked Jacob.