certain unmistakable marks I should have recognized if it had been among thousands of other pearls.
Had
he hypnotized me? Had he really a secret process of his own? Or was it
perhaps some tribal secret handed down among the fishers of pearls on
Palawan? I do not know. I am still inclined to doubt the amazing
testimony of my own eyes, for I had no opportunity to verify it
further. I had already begrudged him the hour I had given him. The
inter-island boat was just due to leave for Manila and I with her, and
in Manila there was a connection to be made with the U.S. mail-boat.
There was no time to spare. And when on my return to Sulu six months
later I made inquiries, I found the old fellow had gone back to his
island in his open vinta the same way as he had come, probably a
fortnight's sail away, and I never saw him again.
