"She said nothing to you likely to lead to the identification of the assassin?" said the inspector, addressing Tera. "I don't know, Mr. Chard. She said her errand was to meet her husband in the neighbourhood; but from the way in which she spoke, I don't think she expected him to be very well pleased to see her." "Did she mention his name?" "No, she did not." "I knew the girl Zara," said Jack unexpectedly; "she was always about with Slade." "Slade?" repeated Chard, drawing his brows together; "indeed, is----" Before he could finish his speech, Tera, who had been looking idly at the door, started to her feet with an exclamation. With one accord they all followed her gaze, for the expression on her face was one of amazement. In the doorway stood a tall, dark-skinned man, dressed in a badly fitting suit of clothes. He was staring hard at Tera. She ran forward and seized his hand. "Tolai!" she cried, and then uttered something in her native tongue. The man smiled, nodded, and bowed himself to the ground. In slavish submission he kissed her feet. He was a Polynesian. CHAPTER XVII THE PEARL The company gathered under Farmer Carwell's hospitable roof were naturally amazed at the unexpected appearance of Tera's countryman. Jack, who, of course, had been in Koiau, recognized him at once as one of the smaller chiefs, and came forward to salute him. So pleased was Tolai at being addressed in his native tongue, that he insisted upon rubbing noses with Finland, much to the amusement of Rachel and her father. "You good man. You savvy me," said Tolai, in his broken English. "I glad see you, Jacky. Tera here, she glad see me." "I am astonished to see you," said Tera, frowning somewhat. "What has brought you here?" "Viara--she sent me all-e-same." "My mother?" said the girl, looking at Tolai anxiously. "Why?" "Too much devil in Koiau," replied the Polynesian, "no help big chief. Viara, she say you go Misi Johnson. Tolai he no shamed, he go all-e-same, and--dat is----" Here the native's stock of English gave out, and he slid into a long explanation in his own vernacular. Both Jack and Tera listened attentively. "What is he talking about?" asked the inspector, curiously.