"He may be the man with the warrant. No, that's not likely, he'd remain on board. A hundred pounds for a pearl worth thousands, it's shameful."
He gave no thought to the manner in which it came into his possession, he grudged parting with it for such a paltry sum. It was, however, the best thing to do, in fact the only way. He would clear eighty pounds, which was better than nothing, and at the same time secure a powerful friend in Silas Filey, who might be very useful at another time if he chose. There was no help for it, no way out of the trap Silas had laid for him. That old affair of the "Mary Hatchett," if stirred up, would prove very bad for him, it might mean a halter round his neck, and there was a man on the "Swan" empowered to take him into custody.
He took the black pearl from its hiding place, and handled it fondly. What cursed luck it was to have to part with it in this way. No doubt Silas had been set on by Barry Tuxford to get the pearl back, it was a smart move on his part. He walked slowly back, and when he reached the boat, called the man on one side.
"You are to hand over a hundred pounds to me."
"In exchange for a black pearl, which has been described to me, and which I must see."
"Here it is."
The man examined it carefully, and was apparently satisfied with his scrutiny.
"Here is the money," he said, giving Amos a small, heavy bag. "You can count it if you like, but it is quite correct."
"It's a barefaced robbery, I have been forced into it," said Amos, in a rage.
The man laughed, as he replied—