Here is the important question: Will you help us ?" "Willingly, sir," replied the captain.
"Are you forbidden to tell us where Sangoa is, or anything about the island ?" "Yes, sir; I am forbidden to do that, under any circumstances," was the ready answer.
"Have you been to Sangoa since you landed Mr.Jones in San Francisco, some fifteen months ago ?" "Yes, sir." "And did you bring back with you, on this trip, any pearls ?" "Yes, sir." "Have you already disposed of them ?" "No, sir." "Why not ?" "I am awaiting orders from my master." "Has he been aboard since you anchored here ?" "No, sir." "What were your instructions ?" "To anchor on this coast and await his coming." "Well," said Mr.Merrick, reflectively, "I believe you can prove our case without telling the location of Sangoa.

An exhibition of the pearls you have brought ought to convince any reasonable judge.

Are there many of them in this lot ?" "Not so many as usual, sir." "Are they very choice ones ?" "Not so choice as usual, sir." Uncle John was greatly disappointed, but Maud exclaimed eagerly: "Let us see them, please!" 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.