"When you have quite finished with Jack you might allow him to shake hands with me," he said, smiling.
Winifred blushed, and Jack said, hastily—
"Forgive me, Sir Lester, there is no occasion to tell you now how much we love each other."
Sir Lester took him by the hand, and said—
"This is the happiest day of my life, Jack. God bless you, my lad, the shock is almost too much for me, I have not been very strong of late."
He staggered a little, and Jack supported him to a chair.
"Has he been ill?" he asked, turning to Winifred.
"Yes, very ill indeed."
"And if it had not been for Win I should not have pulled through," said Sir Lester.
During the next two or three days Jack Redland gave them an account of his varied experiences, and found attentive listeners. He handed the famous black pearl to Winifred, who was delighted with its dark beauty.