“I will tell you frankly my object in calling upon you. I have just come from the East Indies for the purpose of organizing a systematic plan for the pearl fisheries. You are aware that out there they still cling to the old fashion of diving, which was begun three thousand years ago. I wish to see if I can not bring science to bear upon it, so as to raise the pearl-oysters in larger quantities.” “That’s a good idea of yours,” remarked Mr. Brocket, thoughtfully. “I came to you to see if you could inform me whether it would be practicable or not.” “Perfectly so,” said Brocket. “Do you work with the diving-bell in your business or with armor?” “With both. We use the diving-bell for stationary purposes; but when it is necessary to move about we employ armor.” “Is the armor adapted to give a man any freedom of movement?” “The armor is far better than the bell. The armor is so perfect now that a practiced hand can move about under water with a freedom that is surprising. My men go down to examine sunken ships. They go in and out and all through them. Sometimes this is the most profitable part of our business.” “Why so?” “Why, because there is often money or valuable articles on board, and these always are ours. See,” said Brocket, opening a drawer and taking out some silver coin, “here is some money that we found in an old Dutch vessel that was sunk up the Hudson a hundred years ago. Our men walked about the bed of the river till they found her, and in her cabin they obtained a sum of money that would surprise you--all old coin.” “An old Dutch vessel! Do you often find vessels that have been sunk so long ago?” “Not often. But we are always on the lookout for them,” said Brocket, who had now grown quite communicative. “You see, those old ships always carried ready cash--they didn’t use bank-notes and bills of exchange. So if you can only find one you’re sure of money.” “Then this would be a good thing to bear in mind in our pearl enterprise?” “Of course. I should think that out there some reefs must be full of sunken ships. They’ve been sinking about those coasts ever since the first ship was built.” “How far down can a diver go in armor? “Oh, any reasonable depth, when the pressure of the water is not too great. Some pain in the ears is felt at first from the compressed air, but that is temporary. Men can easily go down as far as fifteen or sixteen fathoms.” “How long can they stay down?” “In the bells, you know, they go down and are pulled up only in the middle of the day and at evening, when their work is done.” “How with the men in armor?” “Oh, they can stand it almost as well. They come up oftener, though. There is one advantage in the armor: a man can fling off his weight and come up whenever he likes.” “Have you ever been down yourself?” “Oh yes--oftener than any of my men. I’m the oldest diver in the country, I think. But I don’t go down often now. It’s hard work, and I’m getting old.”