Transcriber's Notes: 1. Page scan source: Web Archive https://archive.org/details/cu31924013486257 (Cornell University Library.) THE VANISHING OF TERA BY FERGUS HUME AUTHOR OF "THE MYSTERY OF A HANSOM CAB," "FOR THE DEFENCE," "THE LADY FROM NOWHERE," "THE THIRD VOLUME," "THE LONE INN," "THE NAMELESS CITY," "THE DWARF'S CHAMBER," "THE CARBUNCLE CLUE," ETC., ETC. LONDON F. V. WHITE & CO. 14, BEDFORD STREET, STRAND, W.C. 1900 PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, LONDON AND BECCLES Contents CHAPTER I. A King's Daughter II. Pearls of Price III. A Disappointment IV. In the Cornfield V. A Nine Days' Wonder VI. Constable Slade's Discovery VII. The Minister's Debts VIII. Captain Jacob IX. Miss Arnott X. A Fresh Piece of Evidence XI. "Thou art the Man" XII. A Welcome Witness XIII. Arrested XIV. An Amazing Incident XV. A Strange Story XVI. The Man from Koiau XVII. The Pearl XVIII. Rachel XIX. "The Truth will out" XX. What Tera knew XXI. "The End does not always justify the Means" XXII. The Truth XXIII. Trapped XXIV. Nemesis THE VANISHING OF TERA CHAPTER I A KING'S DAUGHTER "I come from Eden," cried the preacher; "even from the Island of Koiau, which floats as a green leaf upon the untroubled sea. There reigneth eternal summer, but there reigneth not the Eternal God in the hearts of the heathen. Koiau is one of the dark places of the earth. There 'every prospect pleases, and only man is vile.' Yet the Lord hath not forgotten His people. The light of the gospel glimmers amid the gloom, and ours, brethren, must be the task of pouring oil into the lamp, that the flame may illuminate those who walk in darkness. Buli, the High Chief of the island, inclines his ear to the words of Salvation. He hath given a hostage to the Lord. Yea, verily; for doth not his only child abide in the tabernacles of Zion?--dwelleth she not in the land of Goshen? Tera she was: Bithiah she is, which, being interpreted, meaneth 'daughter of the Lord.' She, a brand plucked from the burning, shall yet herald the dawn of pure religion in her heathen cradle. 'It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing.'"