"I want to see you. Tolai, come!" she said in native, then slipped again into English. "Take care of the box, Jack." "Seems a heavy box. What is in it?" "I will tell you soon," said Tera, wisely, for two or three of the crew were within earshot. "Come to your cabin, my Jack." The box was carried into the cabin by Tolai. Tera closed the door and looked round. "We are safe here, are we not?" she asked. "No one will hear?" "Of course not," replied Finland, somewhat surprised. "What on earth are you driving at?" "Open the box," said Tera, handing her lover the key with an air of triumph. Jack, still puzzled, proceeded to do as he was told. When the lid was thrown open, and the wrappings had been removed, he was amazed to see the pile of golden sovereigns. "Gold! Money!" he cried, falling back a pace. "Great Scott, Tera! how did you get this?" Tera crowed like a delighted child. "It is a long, long story. Guess who gave it to me." "My uncle?" "No, no, not your uncle," cried the girl, clapping her hands. "Rachel!" "Rachel!" repeated Jack. "This is her own money, then? Why did she give it to you?" "I said, 'You give me five hundred pounds for my Jack, and I will tell you who killed Zara.' Rachel said yes, to save Herbert. She gave me the money, and I brought it here. Now, my Jack, we can go to my own island, where you will be a great chief." "Hold on, Tera," said Finland, seriously, "how do you know who killed this girl?" "Oh! I know--I know. It was I who killed her!" "You!" Jack dropped back on a locker as though he had been shot, and every drop of blood ebbed from his face. "You--killed--Zara?" Tera began to be frightened. There was a look on Jack's face she had never seen before. "Why do you look so?" she faltered. "Am I a bad girl? Oh no. Poor Tera is good to you. She brings you this money; she gives you her pearls." "There is some devilry about this," cried Jack, hoarsely, seizing her wrist. "I don't believe you killed the girl. Tell me the story you told Rachel, and how you got this money. Quick! Every word." Tera collapsed on to the floor and began to weep. "Aué!" she wailed, rocking herself to and fro, "you are cruel to poor Tera. Aué!" "Tell me the story. I'll swear you did not murder the girl. Tolai, sit in that corner," he added, for the Polynesian was much distressed by Tera's tears. "Obey me at once, or I'll sling you overboard. Now then, Tera, tell me the truth."