That was not a question, but the captain rose at once, bowed and left the cabin.  It was some ten minutes before he returned, followed by two men who bore between them a heavy bronze chest which they placed upon the cabin floor.  Then they left the room and the captain took a key from his pocket and unlocked a secret panel in the wainscoting of the cabin.  A small compartment was disclosed, in which hung another key on an iron hook.  He removed this and with it unlocked the chest, drawing-from its recesses several trays which he deposited upon the table.  These trays were lined and padded with white velvet and when the covers were removed, the girls, who had crowded around the table, uttered cries of astonishment and delight.

“They may not be as numerous or as choice ‘as usual,’” murmured Mrs. Montrose, “but they are the most amazing lot of pearls I have ever beheld.”

“And did all these come from Sangoa?” Maud asked the captain.

“They represent two months’ fishing on the coast of our island,” he replied; “but not the best two months of the year.  The weather was bad; there were many storms.”

“Why, the pearls that Ajo gave us were insignificant when compared with these!” cried Beth.  “This collection must be worth an enormous sum.  Uncle John.”

Uncle John merely nodded.  He had been thinking, as he studied the pearls, and now turned to Captain Carg.

“Will you come ashore and testify before the judge in behalf of your master?”

“Yes, if he asks me to do so.”

“And will you bring these pearls with you?”

“If my master orders it.”

“Very good.  We will have him send you instructions.”

The captain bowed, after which he turned to the table and began replacing the trays in the chest.  Then he locked it, again hung the key in the secret aperture and closed the panel.  A whistle summoned the two seamen, who bore away the chest, accompanied by the captain in person.

When they were left alone, Maud said anxiously: 

“Is there anything more we can do here?”

“I think not,” replied Mr. Merrick.

“Then let us get back.  I want to complete my evidence at once, for no one knows when the judge will summon Ajo for examination.”

They thanked the captain when he rejoined them, but he remained as silent and undemonstrative as ever, so they took their departure without further ceremony and returned to the shore.

CHAPTER XXIII

THE ADVANTAGE OF A DAY

That evening Le Drieux appeared in the lobby of the hotel and sat himself comfortably down, as if his sole desire in life was to read the evening paper and smoke his after-dinner cigar.  He cast a self-satisfied and rather supercilious glance in the direction of the Merrick party, which on this occasion included the Stantons and their aunt, but he made no attempt to approach the corner where they were seated.