When Jack Finland came, in answer to Johnson's invitation, he little knew the kind of reception that awaited him. He entered the study with an alert step, but the merry expression quickly faded from his face when he recognized Mr. Moss. Nor was the presence of Slade--even though in plain clothes--and his superior officer, in any way reassuring.
"That'th the gent ath thold the pearlth," lisped Mr. Moss, pointing a diamond-ringed finger at the new-comer.
"Oh! this is the gentleman, is it?" said Inspector Chard, blandly. "Come in, Mr. Finland; you are just in time."
"For what?" asked Jack, making a fight for it. He saw that he was in a trap, and, anxious to get out of it, glanced at window and door. But Chard blocked the one, Slade the other. There was nothing for it, as Finland quickly saw, but to make a bold stand and face the thing out if possible. "For what?" said he, looking calmly at the unfriendly faces before him. He felt it was well to know exactly how things stood before committing himself in any way.
"About those lost pearls for one thing," growled Slade, "and that girl's murder for t'other."
"What have I to do with either?"
"I know nothing about any murder," said Moss; "but you are the gent ath thold me the pearlth. I gave you two thouthand poundth for them. Come now, that'th tho, ain't it?"
"I'm blest if I understand what you're talking about," retorted Finland; "clap a tackle on your jaw, you measly Hebrew."
"Abuse won't do, Finland," struck in Chard; "you had better keep a curb on your tongue. It's always best to come quietly."
"You daren't arrest me!"
"That is my intention, as soon as I can get a warrant. In the mean time, I'm not likely to lose sight of you, my fine fellow."
"What's your charge?"
"Murder!"
"Whose murder?"
"The murder of a Polynesian girl called Tera, or Bithiah."
"It's a lie!" cried Finland, violently. "I never killed the poor girl. I loved her too well to lay a finger on her."
Johnson, who had remained silent till now, turned to the sailor.
"Unhappy man," he said solemnly, "do not add falsehood to your sins of murder and theft. Tera left this house with the pearls, and when her dead body was found the pearls were gone. Your captain, Shackel, came to blackmail me for----"
"What, Shackel?" cried Jack, savagely; "the blamed old shellback."
"Yes; Captain Jacob declared that I had sold the pearls in London. He demanded five hundred pounds as the price of his silence. I declined to compound a felony, and at once informed Slade, here, of the man's threat. Slade went to London for the purpose of seeing this gentleman to whom the pearls had been sold, and----"
"Yes, I did that," said the constable, excitedly, cutting the minister short, "and I called on Mr. Moss. His description of the seller applied so exactly to you that I wrote to Mr. Johnson, asking him to get you to come here that we might confront you with Moss."
"S'elp me, that'th ath true ath taxeth," said Moss, "and thith polithman, he took me from my buthiness to identify you by thaying ath he'd run me in for rethieving thtolen goodth. How did I know you'd thtolen the pearlth, you beatht? You thaid your name wath Brown, and you'd brought the pearlth with you from the Thouth Theath. You got my money--yeth, two thouthandth poundth. Give it back to me, and pay me for coming all thith way to pick you out. Thith buthiness will ruin me."
"I also was informed of the matter by Mr. Johnson," chimed in Chard, "so I am here, you see, to take part in your reception. I had my suspicions about you--they were well founded it seems."
"You think so," retorted Finland, "but you're a long way out, let me tell you. I never put a hand on the girl."
"Then how did you come by the pearls?"
"Shan't tell you; mind your own business."
"That's just what both of us is about to do," said Slade, forgetting for the moment the presence of his superior officer. "Mr. Inspector will keep you here, and I'm off to get a warrant for your arrest. Mr. Moss will come with me." Small matters such as that of precedence did not exist for the ambitious Slade at this juncture.
"Mither Moth will; but I hope Mither Moth will be paid for all thith trouble. It'th ruin to leave one'th buthineth like thith. If I have to give back thothe pearlth I mutht have my money back."
"We'll attend to all that," said Slade, taking the Jew's arm.
"As to getting your money back, I'm afraid that won't be so easy, Mr. Moss," said Chard. "Since I received the intelligence of Finland's guilt, I have been making inquiries, and I find he is part owner of the schooner lying out in the bay yonder. I expect he spent the money in buying her."
"Oh, you thwindler!" cried the excited Hebrew, "ith thith tho?"
"Half theDayspringis mine," admitted Jack, sulkily; "but I'm not going to tell you where I got the money to buy her."
"I'll put in an ecthecuthion, I will. I'll levy it mythelf on board the ship."
"If you do that, Captain Jacob will sling you overboard."
"I'll take a conthtable with me. I will have my money," screeched the irate Shylock.
"Now, come along, please; we must get this warrant," said Slade, taking the arm of Mr. Moss, and pulling him out of the room.
Left alone with Johnson and Chard, the sailor made no attempt to leave. He sat down with a sulky expression on his face, and betrayed not the least concern. It would seem that he was not fully alive to the danger of his position. Chard looked at him with bland satisfaction.
"You had better make a clean breast of it, my man," said he.
Jack scowled at him, and rudely turned his chair so as to face the minister.
"Mr. Johnson," he said quietly, "you are an honest man amongst these land sharks, and I can trust you. I seem to be in a tight place, but I swear that I am as innocent as an unborn babe. Shackel can prove my innocence; so I ask you to take a note to him from me."
Johnson, who had no love for Shackel after the way in which the little scoundrel had tried to blackmail him, would have refused; but Chard, at Finland's back, made a sign to him to accept the trust. The inspector thought that Jack was about to write to Shackel, asking him to destroy some evidence which might implicate him still further in the crime. At all events, he thought the letter would probably prove of some value, directly or indirectly. He was glad, therefore, when Johnson, understanding his signal, acceded to Finland's request.
"Certainly, I will deliver your note," said the minister, gravely. "I only hope you will be able to free yourself from this critical position."
"Do you believe I killed Tera?"
"If you sold the pearls, it certainly looks very like it," replied Johnson, "seeing that they were taken from her dead body. Yet, as I know you loved the girl, and she was willing to give you both herself and her pearls, I confess that I have my doubts as to your guilt. Besides, I honestly admit that I do not think you are a bad man. Frivolous and godless and profligate no doubt you are, but far from being a murderer. No, Mr. Finland, black as are appearances against you, I cannot bring myself to believe in your guilt."
Jack looked at the minister with a friendly smile, and stretched out a large brown hand.
"You're a white man," said he, coolly; "I'll take more stock in your piety when I'm out of this fix. Shake."
The minister hesitated, for although he really did believe in the young sailor's innocence, yet the man had been his rival, and he found it difficult to be on easy terms with him. However, his better nature prevailed, and he shook hands.
"That heartens me up a lot," said Jack, cheerfully; "there is balm in Gilead, after all, as Rachel says. Now I'll score a line to that blamed old idiot who has caused all this breeze."
"Who is that?" asked Chard. Finland looked at him again, ignored him completely, and in silence sat down in the chair before the desk, vacated by the minister. Chard kept his eyes on him, and smiled at the foolish manner in which the man was giving himself away. Honestly speaking, he had no ill-will towards Jack, but the insolent behaviour of the sailor was not without its effect, and he determined when the warrant came to spare him in no way.
That Finland might be innocent, the inspector did not consider at all. He had sold the pearls, as was proved plainly by the evidence of Moss; and he could only have taken them from the dead body. The man's coolness amazed him; for Jack scribbled away at his note quite nonchalantly, utterly indifferent to the sword of Damocles which swung over his head. Chard marvelled what defence he could have in his mind to make.
Johnson looked out of the window. He also was puzzled by the behaviour of Finland. On the face of the evidence against him it was impossible to doubt his complicity. Yet the minister could in no way divine the man's motive for murder. He could have had the pearls for the asking; there was no need for him to kill the poor girl. Moreover, Finland had loved her dearly; and it was incredible that for any cause he could have killed her. Yet he had sold the pearls. There could be no doubt about that; and he was the nephew of the man in whose field the body had been so skilfully hidden. How to reconcile these conflicting elements, Johnson could not see. He was still puzzling the matter out in his own mind, when Jack finished his letter with a cheery laugh.
"You'll laugh on the other side of your mouth soon," said Chard, testily.
"I guess that's my biz," retorted Finland, addressing the inspector for the first time. "'Taint my habit to squeal afore I'm hurt. Mr. Johnson, here is the letter. I'll take it kind of you if you'll deliver it to old Ramshackel as soon as you can."
"I'll see to it, Mr. Finland," replied Johnson, slipping the note into his pocket, whither it was followed by Chard with greedy eyes, "And I trust, for your own sake and your uncle's, that you will prove yourself innocent of this fearful charge."
"Well, I don't say as I haven't got an ace somewhere, sir; but it ain't time to plank it down yet. May I smoke?"
"I would if I were you," interposed Chard; "you'll not get tobacco in prison, you know."
"Nor manners either, I guess, if you're to turn the key."
Chard vouchsafed no reply, and the three waited in silence for the return of Slade. In a surprisingly short space of time, considering his errand, the constable returned in uniform with a warrant for Finland's arrest. Now that the worst had come, Jack turned a trifle pale, and slipped his pipe into his pocket with an uneasy laugh. Chard seemed well pleased.
"Take him to the lock-up, Slade," he ordered; "we'll have him up before the magistrate at Poldew to-morrow. I'll remain here; Mr. Johnson and I must have a few words."
"Come on," said Slade, now a typical Jack-in-office. He laid his hand on Finland's collar.
"Don't show off, mate," said Finland, twisting himself free. "I'll go quiet enough. Let's walk arm-in-arm, and then they'll take us for brothers. 'Tain't no use kicking up dust, you know. Good-bye, Mr. Chard; I'll put a spoke in your wheel before this crook is straightened out. Mr. Johnson, you're a square man. I thank you for your kindness. Don't forget to give that letter to the skipper."
"I promise you it shall be delivered this evening."
Jack and Slade departed quite affectionately, arm-in-arm, as the sailor had suggested. Chard waited till they were fairly on their way. Then he turned to the minister peremptorily.
"Now then, sir, that letter, if you please!"
Johnson looked astonished and ill pleased. "The letter is for Captain Shackel, sir."
"Afterwards, perhaps: first it is for me. You don't think I am going to lose a chance of making things safe for this scoundrel's hanging?"
"Finland is not a scoundrel," rejoined Johnson, quietly; "indeed, I begin to think he is perfectly innocent. As to the letter, that remains in my pocket."
"Mr. Johnson, I don't want to be unpleasant," cried Chard, looking ugly, "but I must remind you that I am a police officer. I've a perfect right to see the letter of a man under arrest on a criminal charge; and I must insist upon your handing it over to me."
"Does the law authorize you to read this letter?"
"Yes, sir; it does. If the man were free it would not, but the law permits me to gather all evidence I can in support of the case. That letter may be invaluable. Give it to me, please."
Johnson hesitated. He saw the weakness of his position. He wished to assist Finland, for he believed him to be innocent; moreover, he did not wish, without the strongest reason, to fail in the trust he had undertaken. Still, Chard, as the representative of the law, had right and might on his side. If he did not give up the letter willingly, he would no doubt be forced to. On consideration he decided he could do nothing but yield.
"Here is the letter," said he, taking it from his pocket. "I trust you will deliver it to its address when you have done with it."
"That depends entirely upon the contents," said Chard, grimly. He untwisted the piece of paper. Finland had not put it into an envelope. The reason for this was soon apparent. Chard looked at it carefully, then he swore.
"Mr. Chard," reproved Johnson, "why such language?"
The inspector clapped the letter on the table before Johnson. "Isn't that enough to make a man swear? The rascal has written his letter in cypher."
It ran as follows:--
coded messageCoded Message
"Can't you understand it?" asked Johnson, puzzled.
"No; can you?" snapped the inspector, picking up the cypher.
"Not a bit. What will you do now?"
"Take it to the man who does?"
"Who is that?"
"Why," said Chard, coolly, "the man to whom it is written--Captain Shackel. I'll make him read it to me." Then Chard went off.
Left alone, Johnson sighed. "If Finland is innocent," he thought, "I fear we shall never know who killed poor Tera."
Grimleigh hummed like a hive in the swarming season. Through Slade, via his tattling wife, the news of Finland's arrest was spread with the rapidity of influenza. As usual, rumour increased as a snowball does, and that evening half the town knew how Finland had met Tera by accident near Carwell's field, how he had quarrelled with her, strangled her, and fled with the pearls, to sell them in London and buy a schooner. The circumstantial account was given with a wealth of detail which did credit to the imagination of those who repeated it. But there were some who declined to believe that so popular and genial a man as Jack could be guilty of a cold-blooded crime. The man's whole life gave the lie to it.
Amongst those who refused credence to the accusation was Carwell. The old farmer was greatly agitated by the news of the arrest, and forthwith sought out Chard at Grimleigh police-office, shortly before the inspector departed for Poldew. For the last hour Chard, with the cypher-letter in his pocket, had been seeking Captain Jacob without success. The skipper was not on the schooner, or in the town; and Chard feared he would be forced to postpone the delivery of the letter until next morning. This would be inconvenient, as he was bound to be at Poldew when Finland was brought up--as he would be next day--before the magistrate. But the inspector was determined that no one should deliver the letter but himself, for he intended to force Shackel to translate it. Finally, Chard resolved to take Jack with him to Poldew on that night, and leave Slade behind, with instructions to find and bring on Captain Shackel the next morning. He had just arranged this with Slade when Carwell made his appearance, perturbed and angry.
"What's all this?" demanded the old man, anxiously. "I hear that my nephew has been arrested."
"Quite right, Mr. Carwell. On a charge of murdering the native girl who was a ward of Mr. Johnson's. Tera--Bithiah--you know her name better than I do."
"But it is impossible that Jack killed her. Inspector. He loved the girl--he was prepared to marry her. The charge is ridiculous."
"No doubt," replied Chard, coolly. "I can't myself see his reason for the crime. But we have proof positive that he sold Tera's pearls in London, and bought a share in theDayspringwith the proceeds."
"Jack never told me that! I understood from him that she was the property of Captain Shackel."
"Shackel says differently, Mr. Carwell. He told me himself that your nephew bought a share, and, what is more, paid for it on the nail."
"Impossible! He had not the money."
"Oh yes, he had. Moss declared that Finland got two thousand pounds for the pearls. To obtain them, he killed Tera."
"I don't, I won't believe it!" cried Carwell, growing very red. "Jack is an honest lad, and my own sister's son. If he were guilty he would not return here into the jaws of danger. If he were in funds, he would not want money from me, or risk his liberty and neck to come here for it."
"Oh, so he wants money from you?"
"He does. I see no reason to deny the truth. My nephew came here to ask me for five hundred pounds. He wants that amount to pay seamen's wages and provision the boat for her cruise to the South Seas. If he killed the girl, and sold the pearls for the amount you say, he would not require more."
"But he paid away the proceeds of the pearls for his share in theDayspring."
"He could have purchased a share for less than two thousand. The whole boat could be bought for three. She is of no great tonnage."
Chard looked puzzled. Certainly there was reason in what Carwell said, and Finland's behaviour was most inconsistent.
"I can't understand your nephew, Mr. Carwell," said the inspector. "If he is innocent, why does he not prove his innocence?"
"He will, if you give him a chance."
"I have given him every chance," said Chard, nettled by this imputation cast on his fair dealing. "He refuses to give any explanation. Moreover, if he can exonerate himself, he will have an opportunity of doing so to-morrow morning at Poldew, when he is brought before the magistrate."
"Can I see him now?"
"Certainly. Slade will take you to him. Try and persuade him to tell the truth. If he goes on as he is doing now, he will be committed for trial, and bail will be refused. The crime with which he is charged is serious, remember."
"Jack has committed no crime," said Carwell, hotly. "Let me see him."
Hardly had the old man left the office with Slade when the door was pushed open, and Captain Jacob danced in. The little man was in a furious rage, and his language, was worthy of the occasion. He swore at Chard for quite two minutes without repeating himself, and it was only when he paused for want of breath that the inspector managed to get in a word.
"Come, come," he said, bristling with official dignity, "we can't have this sort of thing here. You must not behave in this way."
"Oh, I mustn't, mustn't I?" screeched Shackel, shaking his fist. "Why, you son of a gun, ain't you run in my mate? How d'ye think I'm going to light out for the Islands without Finland?"
"You'll light out--as you call it--all alone, if Finland can't prove his innocence of this murder."
"Murder! Great Cæsar! he didn't kill the gal!"
"Oh yes, he did, and you know it! See here"--Chard caught the excited man by the arm--"you tried to blackmail Mr. Johnson by stating that he sold these pearls. Now, you knew quite well that Finland sold 'em. What do you mean by this game?"
"You mind your own business, and I'll run my own circus," snarled Jacob.
"Your blackmailing is my business," said Chard, "and you don't go out of here until you explain yourself."
"Shan't explain anything."
"Yes, you will. This letter of Finland's, for instance."
Chard spread out the cypher on the table, and Jacob pounced on it like a hawk. He ran a dirty finger along the mystic line, then turned to the inspector with an injured air. "What's all this bally rot?" he asked. "I don't know. Looks like Chinese, I guess."
"But Finland wrote it for you to read," said Chard, stupefied by this unexpected ignorance.
"Then why the tarnation couldn't he write in English?" snapped the captain. "I can't read hen scratches."
The inspector looked glum. He could not say whether Jacob spoke truly or falsely. It was possible that Finland might be playing a trick and jesting with the dignity of the law. On the other hand, it seemed incredible that one in so serious a position should act in such a way. Chard looked hard at the sallow face of the skipper. Apparently he was speaking the truth. His face was set like a mask. Then a new idea struck Mr. Inspector.
"If you can't read it, some one on board your ship can!" he declared.
"Well, I should smile. D'ye think we carry a university on board?"
"But if Finland had not meant this letter to be read he would not have written it. You know this cypher. Don't lie!"
"I'll knock your head off if you give me the lie," retorted Shackel. "Let me see Finland, and I'll ask him myself what the dickens he means by playing low down on the old man."
"No, you won't see him," said the inspector, sharply. "For all I know, the sight of this cypher may be a signal to bring you together. You may wish to gain instructions from Finland regarding the removal of evidence."
"Me take instructions!" bawled the skipper; "why, cuss you, ain't I a quarter-deck astride. It 'ud be a dandy fine thing for Captain Jacob to obey orders of any second-rate, squawking, swivel-eyed son of a rum-puncheon. Here, gimme that letter and I'll git."
Chard snatched the cypher off the table and put it into his pocket. "No," said he; "if you can't read it, it isn't meant for you."
"Stealing my property now. Lord! I'd like to give you a dozen at the gangway."
"And I'd like to put you in gaol, you blackmailing scoundrel!" cried Chard, hotly; then he became aware it was beneath him to bandy words with this abusive sailor, and resumed his former dignified tone. "Come, come, this will not do," he cried; "you must come to Poldew to-morrow morning and give evidence about your mate and those pearls."
"I can't; and what's more, I shan't."
"Oh yes, I think you can! Since you tried to blackmail Mr. Johnson, you know quite well that Finland sold the pearls; I dare say you know how he got them. For all I know, you may even be an accessory after the fact in this murder. I'll have you watched, mind; so you'd better turn up at Poldew to-morrow."
"Oh, I'll turn up, never you fear!" growled Jacob, in a surly manner. "My log-book's all right, I guess. I don't want no land-shark to square me. And let me tell you," cried Jacob, furiously, "if you send any more blamed Sheeny cusses to board my ship, I'll chuck 'em over--as I did the last 'un."
"Oh," said Chard, laughing, "so Mr. Moss has been on board your boat, has he?"
"For two minutes he was, then I slung him overside to wash. Wanted to put an execution on my barky, the Jerusalem hound."
"He'll have the law of you for that," said the inspector, turning to his papers. "Clear out now, my man, and report yourself at Poldew to-morrow, or it will be the worse for you."
Captain Shackel backed towards the door with an evil grin. "I'll be there, you bet," he snapped, "and you'll have a holy time with me, I can tell you. I've seen a better man than you made out of mud, I have."
By this time Chard's patience was quite exhausted. He caught Jacob in his arms and dropped him outside the door. Then, instructing a constable to keep an eye on him, he re-entered his office. This was the second time the little sea captain's dignity had suffered reversal. He anathematized Chard with horrible fluency. But the inspector was well used to such flowers of speech, and they affected him but little.
Carwell returned to tell of failure. His nephew had been all that was civil and grateful to him, but he refused altogether to make him his confidant. The farmer had begged and commanded, and threatened, but without success. Jack gave him clearly to understand that he had his own way of conducting his own affairs, and that way he intended to pursue. He was not to be drawn at all. So it was that, heavy-hearted and disappointed, Carwell was obliged to leave the lad. After reporting his failure to Chard, he went home in a state of depression. Half an hour later the inspector left Grimleigh with his prisoner, and drove over to Poldew. In truth it had been an exciting day.
For Poldew, too, Johnson set out early next morning on foot. He was particularly anxious to be present when Finland was brought before the magistrate. He still believed in Jack's innocence, but for the life of him he could not understand his reticence. He stepped out briskly into the cool fresh air, his mind full of the case. He had not gone far before he met Pharaoh Lee. He thought of Slade's theory, and determined to say a word or two to the gipsy.
"Good morning, Lee. I'm glad to meet you," he said gravely. "I particularly wish to speak to you--about Zara."
"Have you news of her, rye?"
"No; but I have been talking to Slade, the policeman, about her."
"Ah, he knows something for sure. Is she with him? Is he her husband? Was it he took her away from me? Speak, rye, speak."
Johnson shook his head. "Slade is married to another woman," he said slowly; "but he thinks that Zara was in love with a man named Jack Finland."
"What, rye? With the Gentile who killed your lady? I have heard talk of him."
"We are not yet able to say if Finland killed my ward, Lee. We have no right, because he stands accused of such a crime, to judge him guilty of it until he has had a fair chance of proving his innocence. He is to be examined at Poldew to-day; in fact, I am now on my way there to be present at his examination. Whether Slade has changed his mind in the mean while, I cannot say; but a day or two back he suspected Zara of this murder!"
"I'll wring his neck for him if he dares to say that," cried Pharaoh in his wrath. "Job! how does he make it out?"
"Oh, he has evidence to go upon, you may depend." Then the minister related to him Slade's discovery of the ear-ring, and the deductions he had drawn from it. He mentioned, too, that Finland had sold the pearls. "Now, it would seem," continued Johnson, "that Zara, on the evidence of the ear-ring, killed Bithiah out of jealousy, robbed her dead body of the pearls, and gave them to Finland to dispose of in London. For all we know, he may have returned here to take Zara off to the South Seas, in the schooner which he bought with the money."
"Do you believe this, rye?"
"No, frankly, I don't. I believe that the ear-ring belonged to Miss Arnott, and that she lost it during her quarrel with Bithiah. It was probably dropped in the field by the poor girl herself when she struggled with her assailant. As to Finland, notwithstanding his disposal of the pearls, I cannot make up my mind to believe him guilty of murder."
"Who knows, rye? A man will do much for a woman's sake. If this sailor loved Zara----"
"He did not. He loved Bithiah!"
Pharaoh deliberated for a moment. "I will go with you to Poldew, rye," he said. "It is necessary that I should hear the truth."
"So be it, Lee; let us hope that is what we shall hear."
They continued their way in silence; neither was inclined to speak.
It was late when they arrived, and the court house was already crowded. Johnson's garb and the knowledge of his connection with the dead girl obtained him entrance, and Lee pushing close after him, they managed to secure a very good position both for seeing and hearing. Jack was already under examination before the magistrate, an elderly gentleman with a professionally bland manner. The prisoner appeared cool and composed. He was apparently not the least perturbed at the position in which he found himself. Many of the Grimleigh folk were present, amongst them Carwell and Korah Brand. Everybody was ready for an exciting morning. As it came about, they had cause for no small measure of excitement, though hardly in the direction they had anticipated.
"I am not guilty of this murder," said Finland in a clear voice, "and I will prove my innocence."
As he spoke there was a commotion at the lower end of the court. A man and a woman pushed through the crowd and placed themselves in full view of the assembly. The man was Captain Jacob; the woman, a dark-skinned girl in a faded yellow dress with a tartan shawl. Lee uttered a cry.
"Zara!" he said, as he caught sight of the dress; "it is Zara!"
But he was wrong. It was not Zara, it was Tera!
"Who is this?" asked the magistrate, amazed at the commotion. The Grimleigh people, recognizing Tera, were talking loudly and excitedly amongst themselves.
A babel of voices rose in answer to the question; but the usher of the court having proclaimed silence. Captain Jacob took upon himself to step forward.
"This, sir," said he, with his nasal drawl, "is the young gal Tera, or Bithiah, who was supposed to have been scragged."
"What does the man mean?" demanded the Bench. "How dare you interrupt the court, man?"
"Mean?" interposed the accused. "Well, I guess he means that I'm here to answer to the charge of murdering a girl who's not dead. This is Tera--the young lady herself, your worship!"
"Dear me! dear me!" said the magistrate, fretfully--he was a little man, most careful of the dignity of his position--"all this is very irregular, not to say unseemly. Mr. Inspector, perhaps you can enlighten us?"
Chard rose, and cast no very friendly glance towards Jacob, whom he strongly suspected of having contrived this dramatic master-stroke.
"The girl is Tera, I believe; usually called Bithiah, your worship. What was thought to be her body was found in a cornfield at Grimleigh, as set forth in the charge. It now seems that there has been some mistake as to identity. This is the girl herself, your worship."
"And I am innocent!" finished Jack.
"Silence in the court," roared the usher, as the crowd manifested signs of giving vent to their feelings.
"I am to understand, then, that this young woman is the supposed victim of this murder," said Mr. Benker, in his most pompous tones. "It is really most extraordinary. I don't know that I have ever heard of anything more so. There is some one here, I presume, prepared and competent to swear to her identity?"
"Her guardian is in court, your worship."
"Who is her guardian?"
"The Reverend Mr. Johnson, your worship."
"Let Mr. Johnson be called and sworn."
In response to the clerk's call, the minister stepped up to the box. He looked white and haggard, and seemed to be suffering acutely. Hitherto he had schooled himself to endure the loss of Tera. Now she was here in the flesh, and likely to become the wife of the man who stood there accused of having murdered her. The revulsion of feeling was terrible, and, despite himself, he felt a very demon of jealousy awake within his breast. With an effort he controlled his emotion, and deposed that Tera was his ward, and that it was she who stood before them now.
The magistrate decided that his evidence was sufficient to warrant the accused's discharge on the score of murder; "but," he added, glancing at the charge-sheet, and then frowning down on the applause which once again showed signs of ebullience, "there is the charge of robbery from the body. I think we must have some evidence upon that. I should like to know, too," he added, looking at Tera, "as you were not the woman who was killed, who she is; and how such a very serious mistake has come about. Perhaps you can help us, my girl."
These remarks were addressed in part to Tera, and in part to Mr. Benker's confidential clerk, from whom he was invariably accustomed to take his cue. A short discussion between themsotto voceended in the magistrate's giving instructions for Tera to be sworn.
Up to this time Tera had not spoken. With her eyes fixed on Jack, she had remained standing by Captain Shackel.
She now lifted her eyes to the magistrate, and proceeded to reply to the question he had addressed to her.
"Great Chief," she said sadly (there was a slight elevation of the magistrate's eyebrows as she said the words), "the one who is dead is Zara!"
"Zara?" repeated Mr. Benker, puzzled. Again he turned to his clerk.
Pharaoh, who had been standing quietly by the minister, gave a gasp and sprang forward.
"You killed her--devil-woman that you are!" he hissed savagely.
"Silence, sir."
"I did not kill her," continued Tera, with dignity, perfectly heedless of the irregularity of such intrusion. "Alas! why should I slay one so kind to me?"
"You wear her clothes; I saw that as you came in," went on Lee.
"Yes, I wear her clothes; but these she gave to me for one of my pearls."
"Silence in the court," from the usher.
"If the decorum of this court is not more properly observed I shall clear it," said the magistrate, with all the impressiveness he could muster. "Understand, please, my girl, that I cannot have interruptions of this kind. You will proceed with what you have to say unaided, if you please."
Tera was looking calmly round at the crowd before her. Her eyes fell on the white face of her guardian, and then on Pharaoh. He, too, seemed to be labouring under great stress of emotion. A reporter at the solicitors' table was intent upon his notes, delighted, no doubt, at the turn events had taken. No mere chronicle of legal jargon this; but a dramatic tale set forth by the principal witness herself--a pretty girl--the very "stuff" he knew his editor would revel in.
With a glance, first at Jack, and then at her guardian again, Tera began--
"I am the daughter of Buli, the High Chief of Koiau. Mr. Johnson brought me to this country by my father's wish, that I might, with its good people, become civilized, and take back with me to my land the fruits of civilization. I had pearls--which Buli gave to me that I might buy goods for my people when I returned. I lived with Mr. Johnson after I had finished my education. I wished to marry Jack, but my guardian would not let me. He said that Jack was not a good man. He told me that Buli had sent Misi Brand to take me home, and that I must go with him. I was afraid I should be parted from Jack, and never see him again. That was the reason I ran away. On the night I left I took my pearls from the drawer in Mr. Johnson's desk. He had left his keys behind him, and I had no difficulty in getting them. The pearls were mine, so I did not think there was any harm in taking them. I left the house with the intention of walking to Poldew, and taking the train to London. I was going to see Captain Shackel, in whose ship I had come to England."
"Did you know his address?" asked the magistrate, who was now following the recital with much interest.
"Oh yes, sir! I knew his address. He had written me a letter shortly before I left, stating that he had come back from the South Seas and was in London. I determined to go to him, and afterwards send for Jack. Then we could go away together to Koiau. I was sorry to leave Mr. Johnson, who had been good to me; but I was afraid he would make me go with Misi Brand, and part me from Jack."
"Why did you not tell any one where you were going?" asked Mr. Benker, "or at least leave a note behind you explaining your absence?"
"I was afraid," said Tera, simply; "I did not wish to be followed and given to Misi Brand. I left the house when Mr. Johnson was away, and walked up to Farmer Carwell's field on my way to Poldew. There I met with a girl very like myself. She was a gipsy."
"Zara!" said Lee, with a sigh, but not loud enough to call for rebuke.
"She told me her name was Zara, and wanted to tell my fortune," resumed Tera. "Then I thought if I could change clothes with her I might escape the more easily from my guardian and Misi Brand. At first, Zara refused to change clothes, but I promised to give her one of my pearls if she would. Then she consented. We went behind a hedge and changed clothes. I gave her the pearl, and we parted. I never saw her again."
"In which direction did she go?" asked the magistrate, to whom Chard had sent up a note.
"Towards Grimleigh, by the road I had come."
"Did she say why she was going to Grimleigh?"
"Yes; she said she was seeking her husband."
"And his name--his name!" shouted Pharaoh, unable longer to keep silence.
"If you interrupt, I shall commit you for contempt of court," said the magistrate, angrily. "How dare you raise your voice here?"
"I do not know his name," continued the witness, when Pharaoh had been suppressed. "Zara never told me; we were only together for twenty minutes."
"Did you see any one about?"
"No; no one."
"Do you know who murdered this gipsy girl?"
"No, sir," said Tera, very earnestly. "How was I to know that she went to meet her death?"
"Where did you go then--to Poldew?"
"No; as I had changed my clothes, I thought it best to avoid Poldew. I walked to the station beyond, and caught the train there. On arriving in London, I went to Captain Jacob, and told him what I had done. He promised to assist me if I would befriend him with my father, Buli, when we returned to Koiau. I consented, and he hid me in the house where his sister lived. I waited in London for some time, until I thought Mr. Johnson would have given up looking for me. Then I asked Captain Jacob to write for Jack. When he came up, the captain brought him to me, and Jack agreed that we should all go back to Koiau. He and Captain Shackel were both anxious to buy a schooner to return in, and to use for trading round the islands. I agreed that he should take my pearls and sell them for that purpose. He got two thousand pounds for them, although they were worth three--but he could not get more. With this money, and Captain Jacob's savings, they together bought theDayspring. That took all the money, except such small sum as was necessary to man the ship and bring her round here. Jack's object in coming to Grimleigh was to get a sum of money from his uncle, so that we could procure some more sailors, and proper provisions for the voyage, I did not want to come, because I was afraid that Mr. Johnson would get hold of me, and take me away from Jack. But Captain Shackel and Jack arranged that I should stay on board the schooner until they came ashore and got the money; and then I could sail away to Koiau without any one being the wiser. I heard about the murder, but I was frightened to come forward. I knew, of course, that it was Zara who had been killed. Then Jack was arrested, and Captain Shackel told me that he wished me to come and show myself; which I have done," finished Tera, with a glance round the court.
"Ah!" whispered Chard to Jacob, in an angry tone, "so you could read that cypher?"
"You bet," replied Shackel, softly, with a wink; "read it the moment you clapped it on the table. Jack taught it to me; and mighty useful it's been. No, there ain't no fault to find with the cypher."
Here the whispering attracted the attention of the magistrate. He eyed both the inspector and Jacob severely, but proceeded with the case without further rebuke.
"As this girl was the owner of the pearls," he said, "she had, of course, a perfect right to give them to the accused. As she is here, there is obviously no case of murder. Therefore, on both charges, the accused is discharged. But I feel I must say a few words about this case."
Whereupon, Mr. Benker delivered a lecture upon Tera's wickedness in causing so much trouble by not communicating with her guardian. At this, Tera, afraid of the great chief, as Mr. Benker was in her eyes, began to weep. She upset the magistrate, and upset his dignity. He hastily discharged the prisoner, and ordered the court to be cleared.
When Johnson came out, he looked very grave. He walked up to the girl.
"Bithiah," he said reproachfully, "you have not treated me well."
"I am not Bithiah," replied Tera, her eyes sparkling. "I will call myself by the name Buli gave me. I am sorry if you think I have treated you badly, but it was your own fault. You need not reproach me, Mr. Johnson," she said in lower tones; "I spared you, in my story!"
The minister winced. "I thank you for that. I suppose I have no right to complain," he said bitterly. "You still intend to marry Finland?"
"Of course she does," cried Jack, taking Tera's arm. "Do you think I'm going to let you take her from me now?"
"I have not the power to do so," rejoined the preacher; "but Brother Brand will certainly demand that Tera be given back to him. He has authority from Buli to take charge of her."
"I do not recognize it," cried Tera, fiercely. "I refuse to go with him."
"If Brother Brand comes my way, I'll knock his head off," said Jack, clenching his fist. "Come along, Tera. Let us go back to the schooner."
"Wait," said Carwell, coming up to them. "I am prepared to take Tera under my roof until you are married."
"I think it would be better," put in Johnson, in a low voice.
"Yes, and have Brand after her!" said Jack.
"No, I promise you that shall not be. She will be safe with us until she leaves as your wife. Come, Jack, you had better agree."
"Will you give me that five hundred?" asked Finland.
"We will talk of that later, nephew. In the mean time, is Tera to come with us? If you are wise you----"
"Will you go, Tera?"
"Yes," replied the girl, leaving Jack's arm for that of his uncle. "I shall be quite safe with Mr. Carwell. I shall marry no one but you, Jack."
Johnson could stand it no longer. Turning on his heel, without a word he walked away. He still loved the girl, and he realized that she was lost to him for ever. In the distance he espied a fellow-sufferer in the person of Pharaoh Lee. He, too, had lost the girl he loved, and in a more cruel way. Johnson hastened up to him and touched him on the shoulder.
"What are you thinking of, Lee?" he asked, with a wretched smile.
"I am thinking how to find out Zara's husband, and hang him."
"Hang him?"
"Yes," said Lee, savagely. "She was killed by her husband."