The Spring of the Tiger

by Victoria Holt

  "If you understand what it's all about," he said, "you'll find it

  so much more interesting. Nature is wonderful, Sarah. Just imagine. Some foreign substance is formed in the shell of the oyster. It becomes an irritation and the oyster is provided with a sort of secretion with which it can cover the troublesome object so that it becomes encysted, and this happens to be the lustrous substance which we call 'p''l-' You'll see my divers at work. They are skilled men. They have learned which are the most likely oysters to contain a good pearl. It's strange, but those which are irregular in shape and have been attacked by parasites are the most Ukely to carry what we are looking for."

  "It sounds absorbing. These men risk their lives, I know. I wonder why they do it."

  "They dive for only a few weeks in the year and earn a good deal of money. I don't think they would want to do anything else. It's not a bad thing to live dangerously now and then. Don't you agree?"

  "If the danger meant facing death . . ."

  "It would hardly be danger if it did not carry some risk. Wouldn't you rather enjoy a life of adventure than live quietly knowing exactly what every day was going to be like?"

  "It might depend on the danger."

  "Ah, my Sarah is growing cautious."

  "Tell me more about the fisheries."

  "You'll see for yourself. I want to show you some of the fine pearls we shall bring up. They are sorted and matched and prepared for sale. I have several places throughout Ceylon where these pearls are made into jewelry combined with emeralds, sapphires and rubies. I shall have something interesting to show you. I might even present you with some beautiful jewelry. How will you like that, Sarah?"

  "Thank you," I said.

  "We shall stay near the coast. I have a place there . . . small but adequate for the short time I spend in it."

  "You are constantly revealing your possessions to me."

  "It's a good way of doing it. If I showed you everything at once you would not be nearly so impressed."

  He came and sat beside me and put an arm about me. "Dear Sarah, I am so looking forward to showing you my pearls."

  He seemed to be laughing to himself as though he were nursing some secret which pleased him.

  It had been an extraordinary day. We had arrived at his house in the morning. It was in a beautiful spot on a palm-fringed shore. From this spot the pearl fishers set out to the oyster beds, which were about six miles from the shore.

  Surrounding the house was a garden full of flowers and shrubs. There was a drawing room, a small dining room and a study. A short staircase led up to the bedroom above. It was a double room and I wondered who he had brought with him when he visited this place in the past.

  There was a dressing table with candles in brass candlesticks, and the place seemed to be fitted out for a woman to share. I pictured Anula sitting at that dressing table.

  The bed was large and there were the usual draperies—the inevitable mosquito net.

  There were several servants who had their own quarters attached to the house and I imagined it was always kept in readiness in case Clinton should decide to visit. I gathered that he was usually here at this time of the year when, as he would put it, the harvest was safely gathered in.

  I was enormously interested in everything and he was delighted to show me. He took an immense pleasure in his success. I had noticed this before. It was a boyish quality in him which, because it ill fitted that supreme masculine arrogance, was in a way appealing.

  "Look at this!" he would say, his eyes gleaming. And when he talked of something in which he was interested his enthusiasm was infectious.

  The boats and the houses in which they were kept were scattered along the coast, but the palm trees hid them from view so that they did not spoil the landscape. I learned from Clinton that although the actual fishing lasted for four or six weeks, the sorting, valuing and marketing was a full-time job.

  "I am going to take you to see the fleet set out," Clinton told me. "It's an impressive sight. They leave about midnight so as to

  reach the oyster beds at sunrise. You had better rest this after-

  noon."

  I told him I had no need of rest.

  "I shall insist. You mustn't be sleepy. I want you to see this."

  "I assure you I shall not be sleepy. I'm so very interested."

  "If s fun, having you with me, Sarah. It's one thing I like about you. You're so interested in everything that goes on."

  "I'm glad there is one thing that pleases you!"

  "There are others ... as you weU know. But more of that later."

  It was an interesting day and one I was to remember for a long time.

  During it I learned something about pearls and I saw a great many of them being sorted into various categories. Clinton introduced me with a certain pride, which I found gratifying. I think the matter of Ck)bbler's eye had done me so much good that I was in better health and spirits than I had been for a long time. I saw beautiful pearls with what I learned was called perfect "skin" and fine "orient," which meant that they were what would be recognized as the highest quality. In addition to their dehcate sheen, their clear translucent color and their iridescent sheen they must be a complete sphere. Color, sheen, shape decided the value of the pearl, Clinton pointed out to me, and I could imagine the excitement there must be when the shells were examined for what they would reveal. There were blister pearls, hollow and irregular, and thare was another kind afflicted with tiny knobs which was called coq de perle; there were baroque pearls, beautiful but irregular in shape; and what everyone hoped for was the perfect sphere, beautiful skin and color—that would indeed be a pearl of great price.

  We dined late and I could see an inner excitement rising in Clinton. He was longing to show me the departure of the fishing fleet.

  I wrapped a light coat about me and went out into the night. It was a beautiful scene, the moon shining on the water, the boats ready to set out.

  They were to leave at midnight and by sunrise they would be at the oyster beds. In each boat were ten divers. They would descend naked, Clinton told me. "It makes movement easier," he added.

  "What of sharks?" I asked.

  "That's the risk. But each man will have his ironwood spikes, and there are the two shark charmers. One will go in the boat and the other will stay on the shore. They will sing incantations throughout the operation. None of these men would go without them. They are therefore a necessary part of the operation."

  He explained to me how the divers worked in pairs—one man diving while the other watched the cord on which he was let down. The length of time a man could stay under water was naturally limited even with these skilled men. Fifty seconds was the average time, although some managed eighty; and there had been one man who had distinguished himself by staying under for six minutes. But Clinton did not encourage such competition. Each man must stay according to his abihty to do so. These men took enough risks as it was.

  We stood on the shore watching the boats slip away. It was a moving sight with the moonlight on the water and the faint rustle of the palms about us.

  "You'll bring them luck, I'm sure," said CHnton. "Tomorrow we'll have a haul of the finest pearls."

  We walked back to the house.

  A servant appeared to see if there was anything we needed. Clinton dismissed him and we went up the staircase to the bedroom.

  Clinton made me sit at the dressing table.

  "Your first night here, Sarah. Do you like it?"

  "I found it very interesting," I replied. "I wonder where the boats are now."

  "Not very far out to sea. It'll be sunrise before they reach the beds. You shall come down with me when they return."

  He was standing behind me and I watched his reflection in the mirror. He looked secretive and there was a strange light in his eyes.

  I turned sharply to look at him. He said: "I promised you a present, didn't I? You have seen some magnificent pearls today, Sarah. I think you would no
w be quite a judge. You know something about the skin and the orient of our best pearls, eh?"

  He had turned away and opened a cupboard. Inside was a safe. I watched him work the combination and the door opened.

  He had taken out a case and as he touched the spring it flew open.

  I stared. There were two ropes of pearls which I could see were of the finest quality. Their clasp was of diamonds. It represented a coiled serpent with an emerald eye.

  I looked at him in amazement. "It's . . ."

  He took the necklace out of the case and held it before me. Then he swung me around and said: "Come on, try it on. They say it transforms a woman."

  "It's remarkably like . . ."

  He had pushed me into the chair, turned me toward the glass and fastened the necklace about my neck. I was deeply conscious of the touch of the pearls on my skin. I was staring at my reflection. My face had turned very pale.

  I said: "They are a replica . . ."

  "A replica!" he cried. "Do you think I would give my wife anything but the real thing?"

  I put my hand up to my throat. I saw my lips move. I heard myself whisper: "It can't be. It's impossible."

  "They become you, Sarah. I doubt they ever became any of the Ashington ladies as they become you."

  "I don't understand."

  "Don't you? I should have thought you would have known the family pearls when you saw them."

  "But how. . ."

  "I can see that you are making a few simple deductions."

  I swung round to face him. "It was you then. You . . . who stole them."

  "Oh come, come. It was fair exchange, I promise you."

  "You kidnaped the boyl You demanded the pearls as ransom. I might have known."

  "Might you? What sort of opinion do you have of me?"

  "Only that which you yourself have given me. I don't want these things. I shall give them back to Clytie."

  "You will do no such thing. They are mine."

  "I thought you had given them to me."

  "You know the Ashington women only have them on lease. They will go to our son whose wife will wear them for a while. You know how it goes. . . ."

  I wanted to shut out the sight of him. I kept thinking of Cly-tie's anxious face and how we had sat through that night of anguish and talked and talked, how we had trembled with fear to contemplate what might be happening to Ralph and all the time he . . . Clinton . . . was the one. He had planned it all to get the Ashington Pearls. Oh I was sure they would bring misery to everyone who possessed them.

  I gripped them. I wanted to tear them off my neck. I felt as though they were choking me.

  "You are a devil," I said.

  He laughed at me. "And that's why you like me?" he retorted.

  "I shall despise you forever. . . after this."

  "But you will find me irresistible ... as you always did."

  I tried to undo the clasp.

  "It has a special catch," he told me. "But I want you to wear them for a while."

  "I shall never wear them," I said flatly. "People will know. They vidll know you for the thief you are."

  "I was going to say," he went on, "that I want you to wear them when we are alone. I like to see you in them, Sarah. I always wanted to. Don't you feel they belong to you? Pearls were not meant to be shut away in cases. They were meant to be worn. You will wear them for me, Sarah, when we are alone."

  I was silent, thinking: I will take them back to Clytie. They are hers.

  I turned on him suddenly. *Tou wanted everything, didn't you?"

  "I always want everything," he answered.

  "Life is not like that."

  "Forgive the contradiction but life is just like that. If you want something you go out and get it. It's very likely that you will be successful."

  "You haven't got everything, you know. You married me for the plantation, didn't you?"

  "I married you because I had to have you."

  "Because of the plantation."

  "A bonus, my dear Sarah. You are getting angry. You're hating me as you never did before. That's wonderful. I love it when you hate me . . . when you respond to me because you can't resist . . . even hating as you do. I've been looking forward to this moment. I knew exactly how you would behave and I was right. I'm right in every detail. I want you as much as I ever did at first. No . . . more. Sarah, what times we have together!"

  I said: "I shall not stay here with a thief who is capable of inflicting such anguish on a mother for the sake of a few paltry pearls."

  "Paltry pearls! I wonder the gods of Kandy don't strike you down. Paltry pearls! The necklace of legend, which was given to a long-ago Ashington in payment for a child's life, a necklace which has come down through the ages to be cherished and the very foundation of Ashington tradition."

  "Be silent!" I cried. "I don't want to hear any more. Take these things off my neck. Put them in their box. I am going to give them back to Clytie."

  "You don't think I acquired them for that, do you? They are yours, Sarah, and you are my wife, and when I say you shall wear them, you shall wear them."

  I faced him. I could feel the pearls on my neck. Their touch affected me strangely. It was almost as though they were living things creeping tighter and tighter around my neck.

  If he were capable of doing this he was capable of anything. He could have been the one who was trying to make me believe I was going mad.

  But why? He would have his motive. There would always be a strong motive with him.

  I said to him: "You don't always win, you know. You thought the plantation was yours, didn't you?" Then suddenly an idea flashed into my mind. If I were weak-minded he could have taken over the plantation. Was that what he was working for? "It is not yours, Clinton. It never will be. It is mine and when I die it will go to Clytie."

  I could see he was puzzled.

  "Yes," I went on. "It's true. I went to a solicitor. I've arranged

  it. If I were to die or be unable to manage the plantation, it would go to Clytie."

  "You... did thatr

  "I have a will of my own, you know."

  ''You little . . . devil!"

  "Ah," I said, "I see your opinion of me matches mine of you. But I will tell you this. Everything I have done is within the law. I wonder what Sir William Carstairs would say if he knew that you had kidnaped Ralph and bargained for his release. I consider that the lowest form of crime—particularly where a child is concerned."

  He did not seem to hear me. He was clearly deeply shocked by what I had done. I thought he was going to strike me. There was no mistaking the cold fury in his face. He stood watching me for a few seconds. I believe he was finding it hard to control his anger. Then he smiled slowly and I fancied there was a grudging admiration in that smile,

  "Time for bed," he said. "It has been an exciting day."

  "Take these things off. Undo the clasp."

  "I want you to wear them."

  "I want them off."

  "An ungracious way to receive a gift."

  "These pearls are not yours to give."

  "I won them."

  "Take them off."

  "No."

  "I am going to another room."

  "You are going to stay here. You're going to give that special brand of love and hate which I am beginning to feel I can't do without. You've bewitched me, Sarah. You have just told me how you have deceived me. I should beat you. That's what you need, you know. But here I am just ready to love you because you are my own magnificent Sarah who in her heart wants me, in spite of my sins, as much as I want her in spite of hers."

  "You deceive yourself ... as you have deceived others."

  "Others maybe . . . never myself. I know you, Sarah. Sensuous, passionate Sarah, who was made for love . . . my love that is. No one else but me, Sarah . . . ever."

  "Will you please undo this clasp?"

  "Let me undo your gown instead."

  "Don't dare touch me."

  "You
could not have given me a more enticing invitation." He had pulled at my bodice and the buttons gave way. I was conscious of his great physical strength. I was no stranger to that. It would not matter now how I resisted him; he would win in the end.

  It was what he wanted. My reluctance was his titillation. He was laughing at me, determined to subdue me as he had on other occasions. And he was going to make me wear the necklace.

  I fought him . . . desperately, which only seemed to amuse him. "Shout if you like, Sarah," he muttered. "They'll take no notice. They would say it is the master's matter and smile sagely together."

  "How many women have you brought here?"

  ''I don't keep a record."

  "How many of them have stolen jewels bestowed on them?"

  He laughed. "Those pearls were won, Sarah. I have put them where they belong. You are going to wear them for me."

  "Let me go," I demanded.

  "I'll never let you go."

  "I hate you. I hate everything you stand for. Don't you see that what you did to gain those pearls will make me hate you forever?"

  "I'd rather have your hate than anyone else's love."

  "I mean this, Clinton. I do not want you."

  "Then it will be a new experience for you."

  "This is . . . rapel"

  "Piquant situation, I must agree," he mocked.

  I could not hold him off. I was exhausted with the fight; and when I heard his triumphant laugh I hated myself as well as him.

  I lay still, sleepless. I thought: Will this night never end? I was lying there beside him and I was still wearing the pearls.

  I will leave him, I thought. I cannot stay now.

  I thought of Toby. Toby would help me. I would get away. I would take the pearls back to Clytie and I would go to Delhi. Yes, that was the answer. I would ask Toby to help me.

  Suddenly I knew that he was awake. His hand curled about

  mine. I lay still, feigning sleep. I was deeply conscious of the feel of the pearls on my skin.

  "Sarah?" he said quietly. 'Tou're awake, Sarah?"