"Then let him alone, Amos Hooker was a shocking bad lot," said Silas. He then told them by what means he secured the black pearl and expressed a keen desire to buy it.
"It is not for sale," said Barry. "What do you value it at for purposes of division?"
"About two thousand pounds," said Silas.
"Too much," Barry whispered to Jack.
"Not at all," he replied. "I shall be glad to get it at that price, less my share."
Silas handed it over with sundry groans and protestations.
"It'll be wasted, fairly wasted," he moaned. "You don't know where to plant it. I have a customer for it. He's got one black pearl and would give a small fortune for this. Let me have it, and I'll deal fairly with you."
Barry handed it to Jack, saying—
"It is your property, will you let him have it?"
"No," thundered Jack, "and as for it's being wasted, let me tell you, you old humbug, that it will adorn the fairest and best woman in England. My only regret is that you ever polluted it with your touch."