"When I read that, I remember figuring out how a smart genius might make a
few millions," remarked Steve.

"You mean by introducing the same kind of grit in some hundreds of
shellfish, and making the things work up a lot of fine pearls, eh, Steve?"

"That's what. Don't you think it could be done, Max?"

"Well, I've heard it's been tried, but since the price of pearls has
advanced all the while, I guess the success of the experiment wasn't so
much," the other went on to say, as he bent his head down quickly to
scrutinize the contents of his opened shell.

"Oh!" gasped Steve, catching his breath.

"What's the matter?" asked Max, his own voice as steady and calm as ever.

"Looky here, will you, Max--ain't that a beaut, though?"

The excited Steve managed to pluck some small object out of the opened
shell he held, though his fingers trembled like the quivering leaves of an
aspen.

When he placed this in the palm of his hand it was seen to be a lovely
little milk-white pearl, nearly half the size of a buckshot.

"That looks good to me," remarked Max. "Just as fine as the one we lost,
eh, Steve?"