THE PEARL "ADELE"
N
OW I had made up my
mind, after many fruitless months, to leave the islands. It served no
purpose to hang on any longer when I could neither buy nor sell. My
trunks stood ready packed and labeled, "New York, via Manila and San
Francisco." Then one night I had a vision. It was more than a dream,
because I'll swear I was not fast asleep. I saw myself seated at my
desk in my office. A Moro came in, took off his large scarlet kerchief
which he wore in place of a belt, untied a knot and placed a huge black
pearl on my table. He spoke Malay, and I understood him and needed no
interpreter. Finally I bought the pearl from him— and when I came to
myself I remembered even the weight of the gem and the price I had
seemed to pay for it.
The
next night I had another vision. I saw a Chinaman come into my office
with whom I had never before done business. He too brought an enormous
pearl—a drop-shape piece, the size of a small walnut. This pearl was
not black like the other, but of an exquisite pink, rose-leaf color,
without blemish and of extremely high luster. When I awoke, I again
remembered the weight and the price I had paid.
Then
I stopped having visions. But this was enough for me. I unpacked my
trunks and waited for the two men to turn up. A fool, wasn't I?
Perhaps. But I had not to wait long. At the end of four weeks or so a
Moro stepped into my office one morning as though he had stepped out of
my dream; the same man and no other. As soon as I saw him I knew what
he had in that kerchief round his waist, and what it would weigh and
the price he would ask and the price I would finally give. It was all
cut and dried in my mind. This pearl was the size of a large walnut,
had a wonderful blue-black sheen, but was a
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