It was Pharaoh Lee--the very man in search of whom the police were scouring the country. So astonished was Tera at his unexpected appearance, that she could only stare at him in silence. His face, sullen and lowering, lighted up with a fierce joy when he recognized her.
"You come from the farm," he said, stepping up close to her. "Is that Gentile beast yet dead?"
"No," stammered the girl, finding her tongue; "he is not going to die."
"Duvel!" swore Lee, savagely; "why did I not strike harder? Job! for another chance! You will not betray me?"
"No; I shall not say a word," said Tera, earnestly. "I was glad when I saw you stab that man. He is a low dog. But how did you come here? The police look for you everywhere."
"Except in the right place," said Finland, with a grin. "No one thinks Lee is aboard with us. He came straight from Bethdagon to Grimleigh, After midnight, when all was quiet, he swam out here, and climbed on board to see the skipper. When Shackel heard his story, he promised to conceal him for my sake. He knew I hadn't any great love for Mayne, and that I'd be glad to give Lee a hand. Besides," added Jack, with a shrug, "Mayne is getting on right enough--there's no great harm been done."
"I'll kill him yet," said the gipsy under his breath.
"Ah! you do that at your own risk, matey. Tolai, help me to carry this box into my cabin."
While the man attended to this business, Tera conversed with Lee. "Are you coming with us to Koiau?" she asked curiously.
"No. Shackel is going to land me down the coast somewhere. Then I shall come back and settle my account with Herbert Mayne. I'll see that it's settled next time," said Pharaoh between his teeth; and he looked as though he meant it.
"You are a great warrior," said Tera, and patted his hand. "I know Mr. Mayne married Zara and took her from you. But I do not think he killed her."
"It's either him or Slade," growled Pharaoh.. "I'll make sure which of them strangled my poor pretty Zara, and if I swing for it, I'll give him my knife for all it's worth. Meanwhile, I'm safe enough here. Those beggarly police can hunt every rat-hole in the land."
As Lee said this, Jack, having locked up the money, returned to the cabin with Tolai at his heels. "Come, Tera, let us go ashore with the Kanaka. If you won't return to my uncle's, you won't mind staying at your old quarters again. Mrs. Johnson will put you up."
"I'm afraid," said Tera, drawing back, "if I go there, Misi Brand will get me; then he will not let me go with you."
"Oh, bosh!" said Jack, sharply; "if Brand interferes, I'll kick him into kingdom come. You're all right with the psalm-singer. He has promised to marry us, so he'll look after you in the mean time."
It was not always easy to make Tera see sense. She was as unreasonable as a child. At present she was filled with the idea that Brand might part her from Jack; and she thought herself safe only when on board theDayspring. Indeed, now that the day of her return to Koiau was drawing near, she seemed to be losing the little control of herself she had acquired. This was particularly evidenced by her refusal to respond to her baptismal name of Bithiah. Jack was by no means far-seeing, but he had a shrewd suspicion that by the time Tera reached Koiau, her veneer of civilization would have worn off, and she would relapse into the wholly savage state natural to her. However, this idea troubled him very little. A semi-barbarian himself in many ways, he preferred the genuine savage to the half-baked article. But while he remained in England, and particularly in Grimleigh, where his rigid uncle lived, it was necessary to observe certain of the proprieties of life. He decided that Tera could not possibly return to the schooner until they were married. So, after much arguing and a show of anger, he induced her to come ashore, and again take up her quarters with Johnson. Tolai, as Tera's shadow, accompanied them. Pharaoh Lee, who had once more relapsed into his sullen humour, of course remained on board. He had no very high opinion of the police, but he deemed it wise, for the present at all events, not to leave his place of refuge.
As Tera and Jack, with Tolai in close attendance, walked arm-in-arm up the hill to the minister's house, they came face to face with Mr. and Mrs. Slade. The ex-policeman no longer wore a uniform. He was in plain clothes now, permanently, so far as the police force was concerned. Jack had heard of his dismissal, and stopped now to speak to him.
"Well, sonny," said he, cheerfully, "so you've left the force."
"I've bin kicked out for doing my duty," growled Slade, glowering at his wife, "and it's Jemima's doing, with her jealousy. She never would behave sensible-like."
"You needn't begin again, Jeremiah," whimpered Jemima, wiping her eyes with the corner of her shawl; "you've been at me all day."
"Ain't I got cause to? Ain't you got me turned out of the force? Ain't I got to leave Grimleigh?"
"Where are you going?" asked Tera.
"To London," replied the ex-policeman; "there ain't no chance for a man like me getting on here. I'm bent on being a detective--like those fellows in novels. Ah! there's some chance in London."
"What have you done with the pearl Mr. Mayne gave you?" demanded Jack,
"I've kept it; and I'm going to stick to it. Chard wanted me to give it up, but I wouldn't. It's mine, fair and square--worth thirty and more pounds. I'll sell it in London, for we ain't got over-much money, thanks to Jemima."
"Slade," said Finland, seriously, "before you clear out, tell me if Mayne killed the girl."
"How should I know, sir? I ain't got nothing to do with the case now. Let them as think themselves clever find out, I don't believe he did, all the same. 'Cos he'd left Zara when I met him."
"Where did you meet him?"
"Just above the town. He was coming down to Grimleigh, and Zara was running in the Poldew direction. They didn't meet again to my knowledge, and as I was on duty I was between them all the time up yonder. No, Mr. Finland; whoever killed that girl it wasn't Mr. Mayne."
"As you saw Zara in my clothes, you must have known that I was not dead," said Tera.
"I did, miss. And when the time came I'd have said so. I was working to find out who killed Zara, not you, till them fools spoiled my case. It was Zara who was dead I knew well enough; but as she wore your clothes, my theory was as some one as hated you killed her in mistake. From that cord I thought as it was Mr. Johnson, but it wasn't. Then it struck me as you might have had a hand in it, Mr. Finland, but you hadn't."
"I should think not," said Jack, sharply. "Why should I harm Zara? Did you ever suspect Mayne?"
"No, I didn't. If he'd killed Zara he'd a done so when he met her; and she was alive after he gave the pearl to me. It was in mistake for you, miss, as the girl was killed. As I'm going away, I don't mind saying as much. Good-bye, miss; good-bye, sir. Jemima, you come along; we ain't got no time to lose here."
The pair strolled off--the woman still in tears--and Jack continued his way, deep in thought. If Slade's theory that Zara had been killed in mistake for Tera were correct, Mayne could not be the guilty party. He could have absolutely no reason to murder the native girl. And if he were innocent, who was guilty? Finland was as much in the dark as ever. He felt he owed Rachel some reparation for Tera's trickery, and if before he left for Koiau he could clear Mayne's character, he would be doing her service more substantial than he was ever likely to accomplish in any other direction. He did not like Mayne--he thought him an out-and-out scoundrel. But Rachel had set her heart on marrying and reforming him, so there was nothing for it but to let her have her wish, and, if possible, to aid her towards the consummation of it.
"Tera," said Jack, as they drew near Mr. Johnson's house, "you must tell the parson chap how you tricked Rachel."
"Aué," wept Tera, "he will be cross with me. I don't want to."
"You must," insisted her lover; "we must put our heads together and find out the truth somehow. We must clear Mayne. After getting that money out of Rachel, it is the least you can do to make it up to her."
The girl clapped her hands. "You will keep the money, then, Jack?"
"H'm! that depends upon Rachel. I'll place you in the psalm-singer's charge first. Then I'll go and see Rachel."
The minister was absent for the moment, but he was expected to return shortly. Mrs. Johnson, however, received Tera, though with no very good grace. She knew that the girl had refused to marry her son, and had involved him in great trouble by her secret flight. As a mother, and more particularly as a woman, she would have refused admittance to the fugitive; but she was also a Christian, and it was her duty to forgive. So it was arranged that Tera should occupy her old room. Leaving her, then, in charge of Mrs. Johnson and the ubiquitous and ever-faithful Tolai, Jack, after promising to return in a couple of hours, set out for Bethdagon to see Rachel. His errand was not a pleasant one. But it was necessary and right that Rachel should be undeceived, that Tera's trickery should be made known to her, and the money, which through it had been forthcoming, restored.
Rachel had returned home in a state of mind easier to imagine than to describe. After the graphic story narrated by Tera, she fully believed that the girl, giving rein to the savage instincts of her nature, had murdered Zara to protect herself from pursuit. She could not decide what to do, for, anxious as she was to save Herbert, she could not bring herself to denounce the native girl. After all, she was a savage, and did not regard murder with any great abhorrence. From her point of view she was less guilty than a European would have been. Rachel said nothing to Herbert of the information she had received as value for her five hundred pounds. She did not even mention the fact to her father: she sat down alone to consider what course she should take. Before she could decide, her cousin arrived and informed her of the trick which Tera had played upon her. She was naturally sceptical.
"But Tera told me the details," she insisted; "how she got the cord from Mr. Johnson's study, how she met Zara for the second time, and how she hid the body in the field."
"I know, Rachel. Tera let herself go in fine style, I've no doubt, but only to get your money. She saw Zara only once, and that was when they changed dresses. The rest of the yarn is all her own!"
"Are you sure. Jack? Can you trust her?"
"Sure!" Jack swore a great oath. "I wish I were as sure of getting into heaven. Tera is a child--cunning in some things, simple in others. She might deceive you: she could not hoodwink me. No, no, my lass, Tera is square enough. I wouldn't marry her else. You don't suppose I'd take a long-haired mate with a murder on her hands!"
"Then if this is true, how am I to save Herbert?" cried Rachel, in despair. "He did not kill the girl."
"Perhaps not. Slade says he did not. But Mayne has done a good many dirty things. I wouldn't marry him, Rachel, if I were you. He is a skunk, if ever there was one."
"Don't you dare to call him names," flashed out Rachel; "the poor soul lies sick unto death. 'Judge not, lest you be judged,' Jack. I love Herbert, and I intend to marry him. If he is bad, I will reform him. I shall pluck him as a brand from the burning. This is not the time to give up the man I love, when he is in sore distress and in need of a helping hand."
"What will your father say, Rachel?"
"My father, unfortunately, is not consistent in his Christianity," replied the girl, in rather a Pharisaical manner. "He thinks over much of worldly vanities; of what people say of him and his. A woman shall leave father and mother to follow after the husband of her choice. Herbert is my choice, and in spite of my father's anger, I will marry him. We shall not stay here to be mocked and despised. Herbert will sell his farm, I have some money of my mother's, and together we will go to America. There we will lead a new and more devout life; and he shall atone for his sin."
Seeing it was futile, her cousin ceased to argue with her.
"I only hope you will not live to repent it, Rachel," said he. "If Mayne has a spark of manhood in him, he'll act square by you. But about this money you gave to Tera. I could not, of course, bring it with me to-day, but I have it safe on board, and you shall have it back to-morrow."
"No, Jack, you need not do that. I am willing to lend you the money, if it is to help you on in life. Repay it to me when you can."
"That's good hearing, Rachel," said Finland, grasping her hand. "I promise you shall have the money, and interest with it, in a year or two. I'm not the man to go back on my word."
"I know you are not, and I trust you. Jack. There is no need for you to give me any paper or bond. Take the money, and trade with it as you say. I hope it will bring you luck, and that you will prosper."
"It is very good of you to do this for me, Rachel. I wish I could do something for you in return."
"Find out who killed this poor girl. Jack, and I shall be amply repaid. In some way or another, I must save Herbert. Mr. Chard intends to arrest him as soon as he is well enough to be moved. Save him from that, if you can."
"I'll do my best, Rachel; for, bad as Herbert is--well, I won't say a word against him, since it vexes you--I don't believe he is guilty, and I'll do my best to help you and him. Now I'm off."
"Won't you stay to dinner. Jack?"
"No, thanks. I promised Tera to go back to Mr. Johnson's. If I learn anything to help you and Herbert, I'll come back and tell you." "Good-bye, Rachel, and thank you for the money."
"Good-bye, Jack. God grant you may be successful."
Jack echoed the prayer as he walked back to Grimleigh, but he had little hope that it would be answered. He had no experience in criminal cases, and could not see how he was to find out the truth in this especial one. The matter of Zara's death was surrounded by mysteries; and think as he could, this simple sailor could not conjecture how they were to be solved. Where Slade and Chard, both trained men, had failed, he could hardly hope to succeed. Much as he wished to repay Rachel for her kindness, he saw no chance of doing so in the particular way she desired--in the way, too, which would best serve her. And so he was a trifle dejected when he arrived at Mr. Johnson's house.
The minister had returned, and, when he saw Finland at the gate, stepped out of the window to beckon him into the study.
"Bithiah and Tolai are at the mid-day meal," he said, in answer to Jack's inquiries; "we will join them soon, meanwhile I wish to consult you."
"Has Tera told you how she accused herself of this murder?"
"Yes," Johnson sighed. "The poor child is yet a savage at heart, I fear; but in her own way she is heroic and honest. I don't defend the falsehoods she told, but her action shows one thing clearly--it shows how well she loves you."
"Oh! Tera's a good sort, Mr. Johnson. Of course you didn't believe her guilty."
"No, I did not. I have a very good reason to disbelieve it. John Finland"--Johnson laid his hand on the young man's arm--"it is on this very matter I wish to consult you. I know who killed Zara Lovell."
"You do? This will be good news for Rachel. Who?"
"Korah Brand!"
"Korah Brand!" repeated Jack, in amazement. This was the very last name he had expected to hear. "Your pet missionary!--what on earth do you mean?"
"He killed Zara--I am certain of it," answered Johnson, positively; "though for the present I grant you I have no proof. Now, let us see what is best to be done."
"Done? Why, tell the inspector, of course, and get the beggar arrested."
"No; that's just what we can't do just yet. We must have something tangible to go upon; and that's where I want you to help me. Sit down, Mr. Finland, and we will go thoroughly into this matter."
Jack took a seat; and as he looked inquiringly at the minister, he could not help being struck with the marked improvement in Johnson. Both in mind and body the man seemed in much more normal condition than when he had seen him last. True, his face was still thin, but there was more colour in it, and when he spoke it was with a degree of assurance that had formerly been altogether absent. Since the suspicions against him had been proved groundless, he had been able in a large degree to resume his normal habits. The incessant mental strain under which he laboured then had been removed, and his body had responded accordingly. He spoke now with force and decision. His indignation against Brand was in every way excusable; for to him it was that in a large degree he owed the terrible trouble which had come upon him recently. That indignation now spurred him on. He could, perhaps, have forgiven the man had he been his open enemy. But he had struck at him in the dark. He had plotted against him--against his very life--under the cloak of religion and brotherly love. He was a very Judas, and, as such, Johnson felt it behoved him to unmask the man. Therefore was he prepared to spare no pains to make his suspicions certainties. He judged this shrewd young sailor would prove a valuable ally; and the result proved his judgment to be correct.
"I am more than angered at Brand," he said to Jack, in a tone of voice almost foreign to his usually gentle manner of speech. "Perhaps you notice that I no longer call him 'brother.' He shall be cast from out the congregation of Bethgamul, for he has done more than break the sixth commandment. But it is of that that he must first be proved guilty."
"Well, do you expect that will be very difficult?"
"It will, and it will not, Mr. Finland. To make you understand what I mean, it will be necessary for me to go back to my life in Koiau. You know that I was a missionary in that island. Buli, the High Chief, protected me, and I spread the gospel to the best of my poor ability. Now, Brand was there also. He had been a sailor on board a whaling-boat, and having been called to grace, he took to mission work. I met him in Koiau, where he was trying to convert Niga."
"I remember Niga. Buli's brother, was he not?"
"Yes, Buli's brother, and a man of no small importance. Buli I did not succeed in converting, but I was successful both with his wife Viara and his daughter Tera. In time I hoped to bring the light to Buli's darkened soul, for he had leanings to our faith. With Niga, it was different. He was a fierce heathen, and devoted to the old idol worship. I never thought Brand would succeed with him, but he protected Brand, for the reason that the ex-sailor had shown him how to design and build canoes larger than were commonly in use among the natives. When I left Koiau the population was divided into two parts: the one half followed Buli, and inclined to the teaching of the haolis (whites); the other--the heathen party--held by Niga, and would have killed all the missionaries. You understand?"
"Yes. Was there any fighting?"
"No; Buli was the stronger, and Niga did not dare to attack him. Now, you must know that Tera is Buli's only child, and he is very fond of her. He intends that she shall marry some big warrior, and rule the island after his death. He does not trust Niga, who would restore the old sacrifices."
"That is bad for me," said Jack, thoughtfully. "Buli won't be pleased at my marrying Tera."
"On the contrary," said Johnson, so calmly that it was easily seen how his unreasonable passion for the girl had passed away, "I think Buli will be pleased. He likes the white men, because they can civilize his people. If you go to Koiau with Tera, as her husband. Buli will make you his heir. Then you can civilize the islanders and teach them the blessings of Christianity."
"I'm not much of a hand at religion, Mr. Johnson; but I'll do my best."
"I am sure you will. But to resume. Niga, knowing that Buli intended Tera for his heiress, tried to kill her. But Viara, who is clever and watchful, managed to thwart him. Knowing the girl's danger, I offered to bring her to England with me and have her educated, so that she might be the better able to influence her people for good. Both Buli and Viara accepted the offer, so I brought Tera to England, away from all danger."
"But what has all this to do with Brand?"
"I am coming to that," said the minister, quietly. "The other day, Tolai came here with a message from Viara, from which it appears that Niga, wishing to get Tera out of the way before she could return, induced Brand to come to England and kill her. What he was to have for so wicked a deed I do not know. The plot was betrayed to Viara by one of Niga's wives, and she at once sent Tolai home to tell me and to protect Tera. Also, she made Tolai promise to be as Tera's shadow, in case Brand tried to murder her. Now you know why Tolai has been by Tera's side all these days."
"The scoundrel!" cried Jack. "Then you think that Brand killed Zara in mistake for Tera?"
"I am certain of it. Brand was often in this study, and I have no doubt he stole the curtain-cord with the intention of implicating me in the crime, if possible. On seeing Zara in Tera's dress, he took her for his victim. On strangling her, and finding out his mistake, he no doubt dragged the body into the corn. What makes me so indignant is that Brand, knowing I was innocent, conspired with Slade to accuse me of the murder. He even tried to persuade me to run away; which would have been a tacit admission of guilt. I am thankful," added the minister, "that Tera was not given over to the charge of Brand. He would have murdered her on the way to Koiau, I feel cer---- What is the matter, Finland? Don't swear, I beg."
For Jack was on his feet, making use of language not fit for that respectable study.
"The brute!" he cried. "He was at the skipper the other day to get a free passage to Koiau. Shackel consented; and I have no doubt he intended to sling Tera overboard when we were well out at sea. Where is the skunk, Mr. Johnson? I will wring his neck."
"Calm yourself, Finland. You can't go to him with my story, for he will deny it altogether, and then we can prove nothing. We must trap him into a confession. I do not like resorting to cunning, but while Brand is free, and hidden by the mask of religion, Tera is not safe. Now, how can we get his story out of him?"
"That is not difficult," said Finland, who was as fertile in resources as most sailors are. "Let Tolai go to him and say that he comes from Niga to know when Tera is to be killed. Brand will believe this, and will talk freely. Now if you and I, Mr. Johnson, can overhear that conversation, we shall learn the truth."
"That is a good idea; but how are we to overhear it?"
"Where does Brand live?" was Jack's next question.
"Not far from here. He lodges with Sister Hoppus."
"Of your congregation?"
"Certainly," said Johnson, stiffly. "Did you not hear me call her sister?"
"Then, as you are her pastor, she will do a lot for you. Let Tolai ask Brand to see him privately in his lodgings, so that he may give him Niga's message. In the mean time, you see Mrs. Hoppus, and get her to hide us in the next room to that in which they are. Then we shall hear the whole business, and know how to act."
Johnson looked doubtful. "I am afraid that Sister Hoppus will not lend herself to such a deception," he said.
"You must try and talk her over," replied Jack. "I dare say it will be difficult, but I guess the business is worth it. I want to know the truth, for Rachel's sake."
"Well," said Johnson, after some reflection, "your plan is a good one, and we will try it. If Brand condemns himself, out of his own mouth, we need ask for no further proof;" and so the matter was decided.
That afternoon the two conspirators took Tera and Tolai into their confidence. Tera did not like Brand, and quite believed in his guilt. She was more enraged than afraid on hearing of the plot against her life, and insisted upon seeing him then and there, to taunt him with its failure. It was with the utmost difficulty that Johnson kept her in the house, but ultimately she consented to remain with Jack while the minister saw Mrs. Hoppus. During his absence both Tera and her lover instructed Tolai in the part he was to play. Tolai was quick-witted and cunning: he hated Niga and Niga's tool, Korah Brand; therefore he was quite ready to snare the man to his own undoing. Both Johnson and Finland were loth to resort to such underhand means, but, considering the exigencies of the case, they considered no choice was left them.
In an hour Johnson returned with the intelligence that he had been successful in securing the co-operation of Sister Hoppus. From the account he gave this had been no very easy task.
"She has a great opinion of the man," said he, "and looks upon him as a devout Christian. When I enlightened her, she at first refused to believe me. But I argued with her, and explained myself at length. I pointed out that an innocent man was in danger of his life for Brand's sin. Ultimately, she came round so far as to say that she would hide us in the room next to Brand's parlour.
"Does she now believe him guilty?" asked Jack.
"No, she will not believe until she is convinced by his own words, so I have arranged that she shall wait with us, and hear what passes."
"That is of no use," put in Tera. "Misi Brand will talk to Tolai in our own tongue."
"So I told Sister Hoppus. Still, when we learn the truth, we can come out and force Brand to confess it in her presence. She will then be convinced. Brand is expected home to his supper at seven o'clock to-night, so we will go to the house at half-past six, and hide in the next room."
"What about Tolai?"
"Tolai will present himself at the door somewhere about seven, and ask to see Brand. Then he must do his best to make the man confess."
"I can do that," said the Polynesian, when this order was translated to him. "Oh yes, Tolai is cunning: he can work in many ways. The truth shall be told by Misi himself."
"Shall we have the police in?" asked Johnson, after a pause.
"No," replied Jack, promptly; "you and I understand Polynesian lingo, but they don't. First we'll make sure that Brand is guilty; then send Mrs. Hoppus for the police. I'll have the truth from that scoundrel, if I squeeze his life out to get it."
"He is a strong man, Mr. Finland."
"'Thrice armed is he who has his quarrel just,'" quoted Jack, grimly. "Look at my arm, sir. I guess that will level the beast."
When the time arrived and the conspiracy became fact, Tera, as usual, proved unreasonable. She wanted to overhear the conversation also, and pouted and sulked because the two men wished her to remain behind.
"Let her come," said Jack, at length. "Three witnesses are better than two, and Tera knows the native lingo better than we do. She can put us right if we miss a word."
So it was decided that Tera should be an active member in the conspiracy, and after giving Tolai his last instructions--Johnson had pointed out Brand's lodgings in the afternoon--the three went to Mrs. Hoppus's. She was a little tremulous old woman with a grey cap and a grey dress. She seemed very nervous at the whole proceeding. She showed them into a clean empty bedroom, where they had to sit on the floor. There was a door between this and the sitting-room, but the wall was only of lath and plaster, and thin and old at that. It was certain that every word would be heard quite plainly.
"Then through the back door we can run round to the front and catch him," said Jack, cheerfully. "You'll wait too, won't you, Mrs. Hoppus?"
"Oh no, my dear gentleman, I can't," whimpered the little grey woman. "I must go to the kitchen to see after Mr. Brand's supper. Ah me! perhaps he will not eat it."
"Perhaps not," rejoined Jack, dryly. "He'll have precious little appetite, I guess, when we've done with him. You'd better not take his supper in, Mrs. Hoppus, or he'll smell a rat!"
"I will send in Jane, my servant," she replied.
In the dark Jack touched Johnson's arm. "Can you trust her?" he whispered. "She won't split?"
"No, she's right enough. She hopes that Brand will vindicate his character, you know. Hush! he may be back at any moment."
So the three sat in the dark, with their ears against the wall. The minutes went slowly by, and they were growing tired of their cramped position, when the door was heard to open and Brand entered the room. They recognized him by his voice, as he told the servant to bring in his supper. Jane, who was not in the plot, conveyed her mistress's excuses for not personally attending on her lodger. She then disappeared, returning shortly with the meal. Brand sat down to it. He had hardly eaten a mouthful when Jane introduced Tolai.
"Here's a nigger, sir, as wants to see you," said Jane, edging off from the black man.
"Tolai!" said Brand, rising in astonishment; "Tolai come to see me?"
"Ioé!" replied the man, nodding. "You no savvy wot me want tell you; all--e--same you know. Niga, Misi; Niga."
"Jane, you can go," said Brand, turning to the girl. As she left the room he rose and locked the door.
"Now, what is it?" he said to Tolai, in the native tongue. "Speak your own tongue, Tolai, else the woman may hear. These walls are not thick!"
"Good," replied Tolai, standing like a pupil before Brand, but nevertheless cunningly getting as close as possible to the wall behind which the three were hidden. "I no love the white man's tongue, Misi. I have looked for you these many days. I come from Niga."
"Did Niga send you to me?"
"Yes, Misi; he sent me to ask about Tera."
"But you were with her the other day," said Korah, a trifle suspiciously. "You declared then that you came from Viara."
"Oh yes, I know I say so. But you do not understand, Misi. I am clever. Niga wants Tera to die; so he told me to say I came from Viara. Then Tera loves me and wants me always to be with her. Some day I kill her--you see?"
"Does Niga want you to kill her?"
"Yes, Misi, he does--me or you."
Not the least suspicion had Brand that Tolai was lying to him, still less acting a part to which six eager ears were listening--straining to catch every word, in the adjoining room. He answered freely, without so much as lowering his voice, for he felt secure in speaking the Polynesian tongue.
"I suppose Niga did send you," he said slowly, "or you would hardly know as much as you do. The girl is not dead yet, as you see; and if there is to be any killing, I had rather you did it. I've had enough of the business."
He shuddered slightly.
"You are no warrior, Misi. Why did you not obey Niga?"
"I did; or at least I thought I did. But it turned out I had made a mistake. Tera had changed clothes with another girl. I strangled that girl in mistake for her!"
"Ha! ha! You should have been sure she was the right one, Misi; you should have watched for her!"
"I did, Tolai. I watched longer than you would have cared to watch," answered Brand, with some irritation. "I saw that Tera was accustomed to take a walk every evening in the twilight, so I determined to follow her and strangle her. I thought that was the quietest way of settling her. I took a cord, a silk cord, from Misi Johnson's room, and one evening I followed her. But I lost sight of her for a while; some people were about, and I had to take great care not to be seen. When I came up with her--as I thought--again, she was walking along, crying. I crept up behind her, and threw the cord round her neck. She died very quietly, but it was only after she was dead that I discovered she was a gipsy girl, and not Tera. So I have a murder on my soul, and that for nothing!"
"Ahoee!" said Tolai. "If you are so afraid, why did you promise to kill Tera?"
"Why? Well, you, poor savage, would not understand. But Niga promised me that if Tera died, and he became chief, he would compel all the people of Koiau to become Christians. I sacrificed the girl that the gospel might be spread."
"But she is not yet dead!"
"Then you must kill her on the way back to Koiau. I will not act again, no, not even to bring Koiau into the fold. That dead girl's face is ever before me. I have sinned. I have done very wrong."
"You have done wrong!" repeated Tolai, drawing nearer. Then, with a lurch at Brand's throat, he shouted, "Yes, and you shall die for it!"
"Tolai!" gasped Brand, and the two men crashed on to the table. They rolled to the floor, Brand fighting desperately for life. Mrs. Hoppus rushed in, screaming and wringing her hands. Jack followed, and after him Tera and Johnson.
"Let go, Tolai," cried Finland, trying to wrench him away. "Tera, make him leave go!"
Tera laid hold of the native, and together she and Jack pulled him away. In a moment Brand was on his feet glaring at them.
"Brand," said Johnson, solemnly, "we know all. We have heard all. You killed----"
Before he could finish his sentence Korah Brand had seen the danger of his position--the trap into which he had fallen. With a yell the wretched man caught Johnson round the body and dashed him against Tera and Jack, who were holding Tolai. Mrs. Hoppus fell on her knees in terror. Quick as thought Brand turned out the lamp.
"Stop him! Stop!" shrieked Jack. But it was too late. Struggling in the darkness, they heard the door dashed open, and before they could recover themselves Brand had vanished into the night. But he had left the truth behind him.
A week later Tera and Jack were married. Owing to all that had recently occurred there were few people at the wedding. Rachel was still nursing Herbert, who was slowly but surely recovering his strength. But there was a brighter look than had been there of late on the face of Farmer Carwell as he gave away the bride. Johnson himself married them. His love for Tera, and his consequent jealousy of Jack, had died completely. He closed the book and told them they were man and wife without a pang. Miss Arnott, quite reconciled to Tera, followed, as solitary bridesmaid. Indeed, it was she who gave the bride the handsome wedding dress she wore. A few of the Bethgamul congregation were present, and looked on with great delight at the first convert of their Polynesian mission becoming the wife of their Elder's nephew. Tolai was there too, and marvelled greatly at all he saw.
Perhaps further to mark his good-will, Johnson had given the wedding feast, and to it came both Captain Jacob and Inspector Chard. The last declared a special reason for his presence, "You see, I kept my promise to dance at your wedding," said the big inspector, as he saluted the bride. "I have seen so much of you, and your case has been so interesting to me, that I felt I must put everything on one side to be present."
"And I am very pleased to see you," replied Tera, joyously, "though I fear you will have no dance. We leave in the schooner this afternoon."
"You are very glad, I suppose?"
"Yes, I am very glad; and so is Tolai. You see we are going to our own land, where it is warm and sunny and beautiful--far, far away from these grey mists."
"Well, I guess mists ain't bad at times," struck in Captain Jacob, who was going over the breakfast-table like a locust; "you grow darned tired of a blazin' sun and a sky like a fiery furnace!"
"Oh, you're there, are you, captain?" said Chard, who noted him for the first time. "Got any more cyphers for me to read?"
"Guess I bested you that trip, sonny."
"You did; but you won't best me again in a hurry. I know that cypher now."
"Oh, you won't see me writin' it again, matey! I'm bound for the Islands; and I surmise I'll hum when the barky lifts the Southern Cross. Take the ague out of my bones anyhow.
"Well, if you ask me, I think you are best on the other side of the world," said the inspector, dryly; "the law here ain't just the thing for people of your sort, captain."
"Hullo, matey, what's the jaw?"
"I'm mindful of your attempt to blackmail Mr. Johnson."
"Oh, don't bother about that; that's all square; the parson's made it up with me. Arter all it was only business. I wanted that money for our ship's stores, and I had to trade some'ow."
"You may consider yourself lucky Mr. Johnson did not prosecute you."
"Oh! he wouldn't be such a mean white as that," grinned the skipper, winking his one eye; "he's a straight cuss, he is; there ain't much wrong with 'im as I can see."
Half annoyed and amazed at the old salt's rascality, the inspector turned away. He was promptly buttonholed by Carwell.
"See here, Mr. Inspector; have you caught that blackguard Brand?"
"No, I have not; nor Pharaoh Lee either, for that matter. Where the pair of them have got to, beats me."
Captain Jacob chuckled. He knew very well where one of them was, but he had no intention of gratifying Mr. Inspector Chard's curiosity. To have done that would have been to risk a lively storm with his first mate; and the artful Shackel was counting far too much on Jack's influence at Koiau, to run any risks of that kind.
But Carwell paid no attention to Jacob's chuckle. His mind was busy with many thoughts, and he continued his conversation with the inspector.
"It is a great disgrace to Bethgamul," he said dejectedly, "a very great disgrace. We believed in the man; we called him brother; we thought he was good. But he has poured dust on our heads."
"But remember, sir, what your pastor overheard him say--that he wished to kill Tera in order that Niga might force his people to become Christians."
"So far he was misled, Mr. Inspector. Two wrongs do not make a right, and it is not the custom of our congregation to spread the Word by means of murder. He killed Zara in mistake for Tera, I know; but his intention was to do evil that good might come of it--a very wrong intention."
"Well, if I catch him, he'll pay for his experiment."
"You know now that Mayne's not guilty, of course."
"I do. Mr. Johnson and Mr. and Mrs. Finland have made an affidavit setting out Brand's confession of his crime; and so far as we are concerned that document exonerates Mr. Mayne. But I wish we could get the man himself. What of your daughter, Mr. Carwell?"
"She is to marry Mr. Mayne as soon as he is well enough," replied the farmer, gloomily. "In the end I had to give my consent. Rachel would have done without it else. However, she may yet bring the man to grace. There is joy over the sinner that repenteth."
"I hear Mr. Mayne intends to sell his farm?"
"Yes, he and Rachel intend going to America. They will start afresh there."
"And you, Mr. Carwell; do you go with them?"
"I am, I fear, too old a tree to be transplanted, Mr. Chard. No; when Rachel goes, a niece of mine--Jack's sister--is coming to look after my house. I shall miss my daughter more than I can say; but I must be content to lose her. We know that a woman must forsake father and mother to cling to her husband. I only hope that Herbert Mayne will deserve his good fortune."
"That I'm sure he will," said Chard, in a tone of conviction. "He has had a fright likely to last him his life, I promise you."
By this time the breakfast was at an end, and Tera, attended by Miss Arnott, went to her room.
"I'm really sorry you are going to leave us, my dear," said Miss Arnott, in what was almost a penitent tone, "although once, I own, I would have been glad. You know why?"
Tera laughed, and threw a quizzical glance at her.
"We quarrelled over that, didn't we?" she said. "I behaved very badly; and I hurt your ear, didn't I? I am a very wicked girl."
"You are a good girl now, Tera. But, tell me, how came that ear-ring of mine to be found by Zara's body?"
"I think it caught in the fringe of my shawl, Miss Arnott, When I changed dresses with Zara, of course it passed to her. It must have fallen from her dress when the body was removed."
"Well, perhaps that is the explanation, Tera; but the finding of it very nearly got me into trouble. However, we know the truth now, and how wicked Brand has been."
"Wicked, indeed!" said Tera. "I should like you to have heard him say how Tolai could kill me. Ah, when I return to Koiau, Niga shall be punished, and Misi Brand too."
"But he is not at Koiau?"
"No, not yet; but he has run away from England, and I am certain he intends going there to stir up trouble against Buli. Very likely Jack and I may find him there by the time we arrive. If we do----" Tera's eyes flashed, and left no doubt as to her meaning. If Brand proved to be at Koiau, assuredly it did not promise well for him. But a recollection that it was her wedding day banished these savage thoughts from her mind. "I am ready now," she said gaily, "ready for my journey. We must soon say good-bye, Mrs. Johnson."
"Tera!" Miss Arnott flushed. "How can you say such a thing?"
"Because it will come true very soon, dear. Misi Johnson no longer thinks of poor Tera, but of you. He will make you his wife."
Miss Arnott's thoughts went back to the time when she paid the minister's debts; to certain glances he had cast upon her of late, even to certain words he had spoken. "Perhaps," she said, with a half-smile; "perhaps--who knows? Oh, Tera, I love him; I do love him so!"
When Tera reappeared, Tolai straightway shouldered her box, and the whole party walked down to the jetty. The heavier baggage had gone off earlier; Shackel had purchased stores and goods; he had hired seamen, and there was nothing to do now but to up anchor, and sail Westward Ho! The bridal pair took leave of their friends, and stepped into the gig that was waiting for them at the jetty steps. Once on board theDayspring, Shackel set to work to weigh anchor and get away whilst the wind held fair.
In consideration of his new position, Jack decided to abandon his post of first mate. So Shackel, with the second, managed all operations; and the happy pair stood on deck listening to the chanties of the sailors, and watching the group on the pier head. Tera waved her handkerchief and smiled as the sailors tripped the anchor and roared their song of outward bound in rude rhyme:--