"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 them _sotto voce_ ended 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.