VIII
David Grief sat writing at the library table in the bungalow living-room. Outside, the first pale of dawn was showing. He had had a busy night. Mrs. Raffy had taken two hysterical hours to pack her and Captain Raffy’s possessions. Gorman had been caught asleep, but Watson, standing guard over the divers, had shown fight. Matters did not reach the shooting stage, but it was only after it had been demonstrated to him that the game was up that he consented to join his companions on board. For temporary convenience, he and Gorman were shackled in the mate’s room, Mrs. Raffy was confined in Grief’s, and Captain Raffy made fast to the cabin table.
Grief finished the document and read over what he had written:
To Swithin Hall, for pearls taken from his lagoon (estimated) $100,000
To Herbert Snow, paid in full for salvage from steamship Cascade in pearls (estimated) $60,000
To Captain Raffy, salary and expenses for collecting pearls 7,500
To Captain Raffy, reimbursement for schooner Emily L., lost in hurricane 7,500
To Mrs. Raffy, for good will, five fair pearls (estimated) 1,100
To passage to Syndey, four persons,
at $120.
To white lead for painting Swithin
Hall’s two whaleboats 9
To Swithin Hall, balance in pearls (estimated) which are to be found in drawer of library table 23,411
$100,000—$100,000
Grief signed and dated, paused, and added at the bottom:
P. S.—Still owing to Swithin Hall three books, borrowed from library: Hudson’s “Law of Psychic Phenomena,” Zola’s “Paris,” and Mahan’s “Problem of Asia.” These books, or full value, can be collected of said David Griefs Sydney office.
He shut off the electric light, picked up the bundle of books, carefully latched the front door, and went down to the waiting whaleboat.