Tera began to whimper again. "I wanted to get the money. I could get it in no other way. I never saw Zara after we changed clothes, and I know no more than you do who killed her. What trouble you make over this woman! I would have killed her myself, had I wished to; but I did not." "I'm very glad you didn't," said Jack, emphatically. "Well, I must see Rachel about this, and tell her you were joking." "But you won't give back the money?" Jack looked at the box of gold, and felt very much inclined to keep it after Tera's difficulty and perjury in getting it. But Finland was an honest man, so he put the temptation from him. "I must, Tera," said he, with a sigh; "you got the money under false pretences. I can't take Rachel's little fortune." "Aué!" wailed Tera, dismally; "she wants to lend it to you. She told me so; indeed she did." "Ah, that's a different matter. If Rachel lends me the money, I must see her about it. I'll pay her back, principal and interest, in a year or two. I wish I had known of her intention before you put your oar in, lass." "I did what I did for you." "All right. Don't pipe your eye again," and Jack patted her hand. "Now let us go back to my uncle. I'll see Rachel, and square your trouble." "I don't want to go back, Jack. I've come to stay here." "You can't do that, Tera." "I will stay here," said Tera, doggedly. "Let us marry and go away." Jack scratched his head. He did not exactly know how to deal with this unreasonable native. He closed the box and turned towards the door. At that moment it opened. To Tera's profound surprise she beheld Pharaoh Lee. CHAPTER XXII THE TRUTH 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.