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 centric rings. The captain alone was acquainted with this grotto, in which this admirable fruit of nature was ripening; he alone would reap it, so to speak, for his famous museum. Perhaps, after the fashion of the Chinese and Indians, he had brought the pearl into existence, by introducing into the folds of the mollusc a piece of glass or iron, which became covered by the nacreous substance by degrees. In any case, comparing this pearl to those which I already knew, and to those which glittered amid the captain’s collection, I should say its value was ten millions of francs at least (£400,000). It was a magnificent natural curiosity, and not a jewel, for there are no ladies’ ears capable of sustaining such a weight.

Our visit to this “aristocrat” tridacne was over. Captain Nemo left the grotto, and we remounted to the oyster-beds into those clear waters not yet disturbed by divers.

We walked singly, in an easy sort of way, stopping or advancing as suited our respective fancies. Tor my part I had no thought for the dangers I had previously conjured up. We were advancing sensibly towards the surface, and my head soon rose high above it as I stood in less than four feet of water. Conseil drew near me, and, putting his helmeted head close to mine, “made eyes” at me in the most friendly manner. But this high ground did not extend for any great distance, and we soon were below the surface of our element. I believe I am entitled to say so now!

Ten minutes after, Captain Nemo stopped suddenly. I fancied he had only halted in order to retrace his steps. No. By a gesture he directed us to crouch near him, at the bottom of a large fissure. He pointed towards a particular spot. I looked steadily at it. About six yards off a shadow appeared and fell on the ground. The nervous idea of sharks crossed my mind. But I was wrong, and this time