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158 me the impression there were plenty of pearls to be picked up? I believed it." He was still fishing for facts.

"I believed it myself," said Chester. "And moreover I had every reason to."

"But you have changed your mind now, eh?"

Discretion was not Chester's strong suit at that moment. The temptation to indulge in a little apparently harmless bragging was too strong for him.

"I haven't made a fortune at it, but I've found pearls," he replied.

"How many?" asked Moniz quickly. As a matter of fact nothing whatever in connection with the proposal, except pearls, did interest Moniz, but he was too discreet to say so.

Chester took from his pocket a wallet, the contents of which he displayed on a handkerchief.

"Is that all?" said Moniz, visibly disappointed.

"It's all I carry about with me," Chester replied. "There are also two big ones, but I keep them I keep them—where they're safe."

The Portuguese nodded.

"Well," said the planter. "What do you say about a partnership?"

Moniz's enthusiasm was not so apparent now the question of bargaining approached, especially as he saw he could arrange things pretty much as he chose.

"Have another drink," he said. Chester, feeling infinitely relieved by the progress of events,