Apparently Im The Infamous Earls Legendary Bride

Alexia S Praks download

https://ebookbell.com/product/apparently-im-the-infamous-earls-
legendary-bride-alexia-s-praks-46759774

Explore and download more ebooks at ebookbell.com

Here are some recommended products that we believe you will be
interested in. You can click the link to download.

Apparently Im The Infamous Earls Legendary Bride A Girl In Another

World Alexia S Praks

https://ebookbell.com/product/apparently-im-the-infamous-earls-
legendary-bride-a-girl-in-another-world-alexia-s-praks-49023066

Apparently Im The Infamous Earls Legendary Bride Alexia S Praks

https://ebookbell.com/product/apparently-im-the-infamous-earls-
legendary-bride-alexia-s-praks-46752688

Apparently Im The Infamous Earls Legendary Bride Alexia S Praks

https://ebookbell.com/product/apparently-im-the-infamous-earls-
legendary-bride-alexia-s-praks-46818396

Apparently Im The Infamous Earls Legendary Bride Alexia S Praks

https://ebookbell.com/product/apparently-im-the-infamous-earls-
legendary-bride-alexia-s-praks-49266388
Apparently Im The Infamous Earls Legendary Bride Alexia S Praks

https://ebookbell.com/product/apparently-im-the-infamous-earls-
legendary-bride-alexia-s-praks-48587196

Apparently Im The Infamous Earls Legendary Bride Alexia S Praks

https://ebookbell.com/product/apparently-im-the-infamous-earls-
legendary-bride-alexia-s-praks-52183282

Apparently Im The Infamous Earls Legendary Bride Alexia S Praks

https://ebookbell.com/product/apparently-im-the-infamous-earls-
legendary-bride-alexia-s-praks-46499510

A Girl In Another World Apparently Im The Infamous Earls Legendary

Bride Book 1 1st Alexia S Praks

https://ebookbell.com/product/a-girl-in-another-world-apparently-im-
the-infamous-earls-legendary-bride-book-1-1st-alexia-s-praks-46791186

My Lord Saves The Citizens Apparently Im The Infamous Earls Legendary

Bride Book 2 A Kingdombuilding Romantic Fantasy Series Alexia S Praks

https://ebookbell.com/product/my-lord-saves-the-citizens-apparently-
im-the-infamous-earls-legendary-bride-book-2-a-kingdombuilding-
romantic-fantasy-series-alexia-s-praks-52623442
 Another Random Document on
Scribd Without Any Related Topics
her present state of mind it were idle to argue with her.

Deep in thought, Johnson returned to his home. He had expected

this interview to end differently. Most assuredly he had not
anticipated that the element of love would so have dominated it.
Miss Arnott's mad passion, her quarrel with the dead girl, her
payment of his debts--all these things perplexed him sorely. He knew
not what to think of them. The knowledge that he was so attractive
to this woman gave him no pleasure. On the contrary, rather did it
cause him to shudder, to wince as at the contact of evil.

"I must release myself from this snare," he murmured to himself,

"and that can only be done by paying back this money. Yet where
am I to get five hundred pounds? I am hampered on all sides. If I
do not bribe this Shackel, he will accuse me of selling poor Tera's
pearls. Already I am suspected of her murder. Every one is working
against me. It is best perhaps to follow Brand's suggestion and fly.
Here I may be arrested at any moment."

The position was terrible. He did not see his way out of it at all. The
more he thought, the more perplexed and confused he became. At
length he seized his hat, and went out in the hope that fresh air and
rapid motion would clear his brain. Knowing how unpopular he was,
he kept away from the town and climbed the hill by the lonely path.
Here in his meditation he jostled against a man coming the opposite
way. The stranger was tall, slender, and as brown as Tera had been.
But those keen black eyes and that hawk-like nose could belong only
to a Romany. Having seen him before, Johnson had no difficulty in
recognizing the man.

"Pharaoh Lee!" said the minister, stopping in his surprise. "I did not
know you were here!"

"I'm with my people on the common yonder," replied Pharaoh,

gloomily; "we came back the other day, rye--and on no very
pleasant errand, either."
"I am sorry to hear that, Pharaoh! What is the matter?"

"A woman is the matter, as usual. D'ye remember Zara Lovell, rye?"

"Yes. She was to marry you. Are you now husband and wife?"

Pharaoh's brow grew black, and he muttered a gipsy oath. "We'll

never be husband and wife in this life, rye, whatever we may be in
the next," he said bitterly. "Zara fell in love with one of your Gentile
mashers here, and has gone back to him."

"Who is he?"

"I wish I knew," cried Lee, fiercely; "I'd knife him!"

"Hush! Hush!" rebuked Johnson, shivering at the thought of another

murder. "You must not speak like that. It is dangerous."

"Not always, rye. Why, some Gorgio cove killed a girl here the other
day, they tell me, and he has not been caught. I dare say she
deceived him."

"Are you talking of Bithiah?"

"I don't know what the name is; but her body was found in a
cornfield."

"That was the body of my ward, Bithiah," explained Johnson, sadly;

"you must remember her, Pharaoh. A dark handsome girl."

"Job!" cried the gipsy, smiting his thigh, "it comes to me now. She
was like the gentle Romany in looks. So it's her, rye, is it? And why
did he kill her?"

"Who?"

"The man as did it. She deceived him, I don't doubt; and he
strangled her."
"You are wrong, Pharaoh; it was no love tragedy. How Bithiah came
by her death no one knows. But I beg of you not to let this terrible
crime form a precedent in your dealing with Zara. Where is she
now?"

"I don't know," said Lee, becoming sullen again. "I was up North,
and asked her to marry me over the poker and tongs, as we'd been
vowed for months to one another. Then she told me of her marriage
in the Gentile way with a Gorgio. I tried to get his name out of her;
but she knew how ready my knife would be, and refused to tell me.
In the night she ran away, and, as I guessed she'd come back here
to her husband, I moved my people down as quick as I could. Here I
am, but where Zara is I don't know. Curses on her and him."

"Hush! Do not swear, Lee. Who is this man?"

"I don't know."

"Have you any idea as to who he is?"

"Yes; it's either a man called Slade, or another, Mayne by name.

They were always hanging round our camp when we were here last,
and Zara was with them oftener than I liked. I believe it's one or the
other."

"No, Pharaoh, you must be wrong. Slade, the policeman, has been
married for quite a year; and although Mr. Mayne is still a bachelor, it
is probable that he will make Miss Carwell his wife. So you see it can
be neither of these."

"Who can swear to that?" retorted Lee. "You Gorgios make nothing
of deceiving our women-folk. We are not of your race, and your laws
are not for us. If Zara is not married to one of the two Gentiles I
speak of, they know who she is married to. They can tell me if they
choose, and I shall force them to speak out," added the gipsy,
fiercely. "When I know the truth I'll----"
"Lee, I implore you to do nothing rash."

"I shall mend my honour in my own way, rye. It is an oath."

With this dramatic declaration on his lips, Lee swung off down the
hill to escape further reproof and entreaty. Johnson, knowing the
fierce nature of the wanderer, looked after him with an air of doubt.
When Pharaoh's evil passions were roused, he struck at once, swift
and true as a wounded snake. It seemed as if Tera's murder were to
be followed by another, and Johnson sighed as he thought of all that
had happened so suddenly to trouble the hitherto smoothly-flowing
current of his life. Since he had fallen in love with Tera there had
been nothing but trouble, and he could not see how or where it was
all to end.

Anxious-minded and hopeless of aid, the minister resumed his

upward way, and shortly reached the brow of the hill, where the
corn-lands stretched towards Poldew. Unconsciously his feet had led
him into the very path along which Bithiah must have passed to her
mysterious death. The omen chilled him for the moment, but
shaking off the superstition, as incompatible with his calling as a
teacher, he stepped resolutely along the grassy way which
meandered through the stubble field. Some power drew him, almost
against his will, towards the fatal spot.

As he walked along he caught sight of a burly figure bending down

in the field. As he approached he recognized Jeremiah Slade.
Knowing neither the man's ambitions nor the interest he took in the
case, Johnson wondered what he was doing so near the place where
the body had been found. His curiosity being excited, he crossed the
ridgy furrows, and walked up to the policeman.

"What are you looking for, Slade?" Jeremiah straightened himself,

and a light came into his dull blue eye. "I ain't lookin' now," said he,
cunningly, "as I've found something already--something as is worth
the findin' too."
"What is it?"

"You seem mighty anxious to know, sir," was the constable's reply,
with a suspicious glance.

"Naturally, I wish to know anything bearing upon the fate of poor

Bithiah."

"Ah," grunted Slade, "there's more than you, sir, as wants

information of that kind. But why are you so perticler, may I ask, if it
ain't no offence?"

"For two reasons," rejoined Johnson, quietly. "One is, that I wish the
assassin of my poor ward to be secured and punished; the other is
that I desire to clear my own character from the suspicion which has
fallen upon it."

"You mean, sir, as folks suspect you of the murder?"

"I do; but I need hardly say that I am innocent."

"Well," said the policeman, reflectively, "of course, sir, you're bound
to say that to save your own neck. I thought as you did it yourself
one time, for there ain't no denyin' as the evidence is dead against
you. But what I've found now 'as altered me a bit."

"Really! Then you are good enough to exonerate me in your own

mind? You don't believe me guilty?" said Johnson, ironically.

"Not as the principal, anyway; it's come to me as this poor girl was
strangled by a woman."

"A woman? How do you know that?"

"'Cos I found this on the very spot where the girl's body lay," and
Slade opened his hand. In the palm lay a golden ear-ring, which
Johnson recognized as Miss Arnott's!
 CHAPTER XI

"THOU ART THE MAN"

The two men looked at the ear-ring, Slade with triumph, Johnson
with dismay. There was no doubt it belonged to Miss Arnott. He had
frequently seen her wearing it; and he asked himself how it came to
be found on the spot where the body had lain. Miss Arnott's
declaration that Tera had wrenched the ear-ring from her ear, and
had carried it away, might be a mere fiction. Carried away as she
was by her feelings, it was impossible to rely upon what she said. If
her statement were untrue, the discovery of the ornament on the
scene of the crime went to show that Miss Arnott had been on the
spot, and there, perhaps during a struggle with her victim, had lost
the ear-ring. In a word, this piece of evidence inculpated her
somewhat seriously. Remembering her agitation and strange
remarks, Johnson began to think that she had committed the
murder out of jealousy. It was very feasible. The more he thought of
it the more likely it seemed. But the minister determined to keep his
suspicions to himself. It was not for him, on whose account she had
sinned--if she had sinned--to denounce her. It was for his sake she
had broken that terrible sixth commandment. Therefore he judged it
right, if not righteous, to deny all knowledge of the ornament.

"Have you seen this before, sir?" asked Slade, keeping a watchful
eye on the face of the minister.

"No," answered Johnson, with an effort to appear calm, "I never saw
it before. It does not belong to Bithiah. She wore no ornaments in
her ears."

"Then it must be the property of some other woman--probably the

woman who killed her, Mr. Johnson."

"How do you know a woman killed her?"

"This ear-ring points that way, anyhow. I expect the two women met
and quarrelled about something or some one. Perhaps they came to
blows; or perhaps, while the murderess was trying to strangle your
girl, she had this torn from her ear. But it's evident that a woman's
mixed up in the matter." Slade paused and looked again at the
ornament. "It's a gipsy ear-ring," said he.

"How do you know, Slade?"

The policeman scratched his head in some embarrassment. "A flat

circle of gold it is, ain't it? Well, sir, I've seen a gipsy woman wearing
things of this sort."

"Zara Lovell, for instance?" observed Johnson, with sudden

inspiration.

"Zara Lovell!" stammered Slade, retreating a step and looking

anything but comfortable. "What do you know of her, Mr. Johnson?"

"Only so much as I learned from Lee."

"Lee! Pharaoh Lee, the gipsy? Have you seen him?"

"I was speaking with him a quarter of an hour before I met you,
Slade. He is looking for Zara."

"Is she lost, then?"

"It would seem so. Pharaoh was to have married her; but she told
him that she was already married to some one in this
neighbourhood. Then she ran away from the gipsy camp. Thinking
she came on here to her husband--whoever he is--Lee followed, and
he is now looking for her. Slade," said Johnson, gravely, "the gipsy
declared that either you or Mr. Mayne must be the husband of this
girl."

Slade changed from red to white, and evaded the minister's eye. "I
knew Zara well enough a year ago," he said, doggedly, "and we had
a liking for one another; but as to marriage, that never came into
my mind. I have a wife now--the only one I ever had--and if she
hears this tale, Lord knows what she'll do. She's never done talking
of Zara as it is."

"Well, and Mr. Mayne?"

"Oh, he liked Zara too; but I don't think he intended to marry her.
Why, he's set on marryin' Miss Carwell."

"Who else is there, that you know the girl was intimate with?"

The policeman reflectively slipped the ear-ring into his pocket, and
began to think. Suddenly he started and slapped his thigh. "Why
didn't I think of him before?" he cried. "Finland--it's Finland, of
course."

"Nonsense!" said the minister, somewhat sharply, for the mention of

the sailor made him wince. "Finland was in love with Bithiah and--
What is the matter?"

He asked this question with some astonishment, for Slade, with

uncouth glee, was performing a kind of war-dance. "Lord!" he said,
joyfully, "how plain it all is!"

"How plain what is?"

"The murder, of course. It was a woman killed Bithiah, or Tera, or

whatever you call her. That's pretty conclusive. Well, the woman was
Zara."
"What! the gipsy girl Pharaoh is looking for?"

"Oh, he's looking for her," said Slade, gleefully, "but he won't find
her. She's made herself scarce because of this murder. This ear-ring
is Zara's. I know now, Mr. Johnson; I saw a pair of 'em in her ears.
Finland made love to Zara last year, and she was dead gone on him.
I expect she heard of his goings on with your girl, and came back to
make things hot. I don't know if Finland married her, but if he did,
Zara hurried back here to claim him as her husband. I dare say she
met Tera here in this field, and they fought over the man. Tera tore
the ear-ring from Zara while she was being strangled. Then Zara hid
the body in this field, and ran away. It's as clear as day," and Slade
danced again; "I'll get to Poldew, sure enough!"

Knowing well to whom the ear-ring belonged, the minister could not
believe in Zara's guilt. But without compromising Miss Arnott, Slade's
theory was not to be demolished. The best he could do was to
protest against it as being too fanciful.

"Why, you have more reason to suspect me," he declared.

"True enough," replied Slade, "but circumstanshal evidence ain't

good stuff--though I admit I'm going on it a lot in suspecting Zara."

"The poor girl was strangled with my window----"

"I know all about that," interrupted the policeman. "I soon found
that out. But it don't prove as you took the cord yourself. I always
had my doubts, seeing it was taken two or three days afore the
murder. You wouldn't have made ready all that time. I says to
myself, 'If he killed the girl, he did it in a rage, so he wouldn't have
prepared the cord beforehand.'"

"I did not kill Tera," protested Johnson, vehemently. "I never saw her
after she left my house, although I searched for her round this field,
knowing it was her favourite walk. I loved her too well to injure a
hair of her head. As to my debts--and you suspected, no doubt, that
it was to pay them I killed her--they have been discharged."

"Who paid 'em?"

"There is no harm in telling you that, Slade. But promise me to keep

what I tell you a secret until I bid you speak."

Filled with curiosity, Slade gave the required promise. When

informed that Miss Arnott was Johnson's benefactor, he chuckled so
significantly as to bring a blush to the pale cheeks of the minister.
Nevertheless--and this was the main point--he entertained no
suspicion against the woman; and still harped on the probability of
Zara's guilt. "For she might have stolen the cord from your study,"
said he, eagerly; "them gipsies are always stealing things."

"Zara was never in my house that I know of," replied Johnson, dryly.

This declaration rather disconcerted Slade, but he rallied under the

blow when a new idea struck him.

"I dare say that Tera herself took the cord, being a bright pretty
thing."

"Why should she?"

"Why shouldn't she?" retorted Slade; "it's as broad as it's long. Talk
as you like, sir, it's in my mind as Zara killed Tera and stole them
pearls."

Johnson reflected. This last remark set him thinking as to the

advisability of telling Slade about Shackel's proposed blackmail. The
man seemed intelligent and trustworthy, and an ally would be
invaluable, if only to protect him from the machinations of Captain
Jacob. Forthwith, Johnson related to Slade the dilemma in which he
was placed, and asked for the policeman's advice and help. "For I
swear," said he, with all earnestness, "that while in London I did not
go near Hatton Gardens. But how am I to prove that?"

"'Tain't difficult," answered Slade; "you give me a couple of pounds

and let me go up to London. I'll find out from the Jew who sold
them pearls."

"Can you get leave?" asked Johnson, catching at the idea.

"Oh yes, for a couple of days or thereabouts."

"Then you go, and hard-up as I am, you shall have five pounds for
your expenses and trouble. But who did you think sold the pearls? It
could not have been Zara, seeing that the seller was a man."

"I'll tell you what I think when I come back," said Slade, doubtfully.
"Let us go to your house, sir, and get the money. If that captain
comes again to you, just tell him as the matter is in the hands of the
police; you won't have no trouble with him after that, I'll bet."

Subsequent events proved Slade to be correct. Johnson gave him

the five pounds, and, having obtained leave for forty-eight hours,
the man took train to London with the address of the Jew in his
pocket. The day after his departure Shackel made his appearance, in
the full belief that Johnson would pay him the sum he had
demanded. When the minister referred him to the police, Captain
Jacob was considerably taken aback by his victim's daring. He
protested loudly.

"Told the police, have yer?" he snarled; "well, I guess I don't want
any of that kind messing up my business. You'd better straighten out
things, my son, and pay me."

"I shall not pay you one penny," answered Johnson, gaining courage
at the man's manifest desire to retreat. "The matter lies with the
police now. If you trouble me any more, I shall give you in charge."
Captain Jacob's one eye twinkled in a very evil fashion, and he grew
as red as his jaundiced complexion would permit. "You'll jail me, will
yer?" he piped shrilly; "I reckon two can play at that game, you
scare-crow, psalm-singing, bun-faced----"

"Another word of that sort, and out you go!" said the minister, with
spirit.

But Shackel was not to be silenced. Like all sea captains, he was
accustomed to implicit obedience, and thought to get his own way
by the adoption of a bullying tone. But Johnson was not one of his
sailors, and moreover the vituperative insolence of the little
scoundrel had roused him. So when Captain Jacob still proceeded to
hector, the minister picked him up--he was of no great weight--and,
carrying him out of the window, dropped him over the gate.

"There, you foul-mouthed extortioner," said Johnson, loudly, "that is

your place! Come back here again, and I'll hand you over to the
police."

"By thunder, I'll see the police myself!" replied Shackel, dusting his
clothes. "You'll be in jail afore to-night, my son. Ay! and I'll come
and see ye dance on nothing with a hempen cravat round your
darned neck. I----"

Johnson waited to hear no more, but retired into his house, and left
the mariner cursing the empty air until he grew weary and took
himself off. The minister quite expected that the spiteful little
creature would denounce him to the police as the seller of the
pearls, and he was prepared to be arrested at any hour. But either
Shackel was not very sure of his ground, or was afraid to come
himself in contact with the law, of which he had a holy horror. He
skulked back to the schooner without fulfilling his threats, and so far
as he was concerned Johnson remained in peace. The blow was not
to come from Shackel.
That same evening, Johnson, in his character of pastor, attended at
Bethgamul. It was the weekly gathering, when the members of the
congregation met to converse together, and to receive admonition
and advice, as circumstances demanded. On this occasion, every
member in Grimleigh was in attendance, in obedience to a fiat from
the elders. It was known that Johnson was suspected of being
concerned, either directly or indirectly, in the tragedy which had so
recently happened amongst them, and the congregation expected
that at this meeting he would attempt to exonerate himself. Johnson
knew the position in which he stood, and what was required of him;
but he entered the chapel resolved to let things take their course. If
compelled to defend himself he would speak; but he was determined
not to state his case voluntarily. There were details in connection
with Miss Arnott which he certainly had no wish to make public.

Miss Arnott herself was present, looking haggard and nervous. She
felt keenly the position in which she stood towards Johnson. But at
the present moment she did not see how to improve it. She had
come to the meeting for guidance and comfort. Farmer Carwell, his
daughter, and Mayne, arrived together, ready for an exciting
evening. Indeed, on their entry into the chapel they were definitely
promised one by Brand, who met them at the door.

"Our pastor has not yet arrived," whispered Korah in his deep voice,
"but I have sent for him, and he will be here very soon. Then I shall
invite him to confess."

"He is not compelled to do that," observed Rachel, who still held that
in the absence of proof the minister was innocent.

"He is compelled so far," responded Brand, "that if he cannot clear

his character, we shall depose him from his office. He shall have
sorrow and wrath with his sickness."

"If he owns that he killed Tera, shall you have him arrested?" asked
Mayne.
"No, no; that will never do," interposed Carwell, with a frown. "We
must not bring disgrace on Bethgamul by our own act. If the man is
guilty, let him fly hence and repent of his sins."

"He will not fly, although I have urged him," groaned Korah.

"In that case it would seem he is innocent," said Rachel. "But here
he comes, poor man; how ill he looks!"

"'He cometh in with vanity,'" quoted Brand, "'and his name shall be
covered with darkness.'"

"That has yet to be proved," said Herbert. His defence of the

minister drew an approving smile from Rachel.

Johnson did indeed look ill. As he stood on the rostrum under the
yellow glare of the oil lamp, he gazed down on the stern faces of his
people. Every countenance was set like a flint; even those of the
women were harder and more unsympathetic than usual, and he felt
that in their hearts they already condemned him. But the sight of his
old mother weeping quietly in the corner brought him comfort. If no
one else believed in his innocence, she did.

"Brother Johnson," said Brand, rising as the minister opened the

Bible, "before you speak from the sacred volume, we would know if
you are worthy to do so. Are your lips undefiled? Is your heart clean
within you?"

"Yes," replied the minister, calmly. "I am conscious of no sin."

"It is 'whispered in Gath and told along the streets of Ascalon' that
you have the stain of blood on your hands. The blood of the
innocent cries out for judgment against you."

"Who dares to say such a thing, Brother Korah?"

"I do--unworthy as I am." Brand stretched out his arm. "Brother
Johnson, you are a pastor of the Lord's sheep, and He committed a
lamb to your charge. That lamb is slain, and it is cried aloud that you
are the slayer. In the tents of Israel it is spoken. Your carnal love
drove Bithiah of Koiau from your dwelling, and in her footsteps you
followed to smite and slay her for the love of gold. As Nathan the
prophet stood before David, so I stand before you; as Nathan the
prophet said unto the king, so say I unto you: 'Thou art the man.'"

CHAPTER XII

A WELCOME WITNESS

Assuredly, the congregation had no reason to complain that the

anticipated sensation was not forthcoming. There was an agitated
rustle through the chapel. Every one looked eagerly at Johnson,
wondering what reply he would make to the accusation of Brand.
For a moment or so the minister stood silent with upraised face. His
lips moved in silent prayer, for he was seeking from God that aid
which was denied to him by man. Miss Arnott, white and trembling
violently, leaned forward in expectation of the denial she felt certain
would come. For quite a minute there was dead silence. It was
broken by the accused man. "'O Lord, Thou knowest,'" said he, in
the words of Jeremiah, "'remember me, and visit me, and revenge
me on my persecutors.'" He paused, and looked quietly at the
rugged face of Brand. "Brother Korah," continued the minister, "you
have borne false witness against me. I am innocent of this crime you
would place on my shoulders. What evidence can you bring forward
to prove that you speak truly? Let me hear your grounds of
accusation, that I may reply to them as best I can."

Brand was considerably surprised at the calmness of this speech. It

was very different from what he had expected. He glanced with
some embarrassment at Farmer Carwell.

"Shall I question him?" he demanded.

"Surely, brother," answered Carwell, gravely; "the meanest criminal

has a right to a hearing. Question our pastor, that we may learn if he
is still to teach us, or if he should be cast out of Emmanuel's fold."

"I ask for nothing better than such an examination," cried Johnson.
"I stand here as I would at the Judgment Seat, to defend my name
and life. Begin, Brother Korah. On what grounds do you accuse me?"

"You loved Bithiah," said Brand, harshly.

"Is that a crime? Is love forbidden by the Gospel? Yes, I loved her."
Miss Arnott winced at the tenderness of his tone. "I would have
made her my honoured wife, but that she refused me."

"Why did she leave your house?"

"Because she loved Finland, the nephew of our Brother Carwell. I

judged him too godless for Bithiah, and I forbade her to see him.
Also I informed her that I would place her in the care of you, Brother
Korah, to be taken back to Koiau. For love of Finland she left my
house. Whither she went, I know not."

"Yet you were near the scene of the crime on the night on which
Bithiah may be supposed to have been murdered."

"Certainly. I went there because it was her favourite walk. But I

never saw a sign of her. On this Holy Book," Johnson touched the
great Bible before him, "I never saw the girl."
"What of her treasure, brother?"

"The pearls? She took those with her, as she had every right to."

"Did you not take them from her dead body that you might pay your
debts?"

"No!" cried Johnson furiously. "How dare you assume that I am

guilty of such an act! I never saw the girl dead. I took no pearls
from her body. Where they are, I know no more than you do."

"Yet your debts are paid!"

"They are--paid in full."

"By yourself?"

"No. By some one whose name I decline to give."

Brand looked down with a sardonic smile. If honest enough himself,

the man's methods of conducting an examination were certainly
open to criticism. "Such a statement is incredible," he declared; "as a
rule, men's debts are not paid by unknown benefactors."

"Nevertheless, mine are paid," said Johnson, firmly; "besides, my

benefactor is not unknown. You are ignorant of her name, doubtless,
but I am not."

"Her name!" repeated Korah in surprise; "then it is a woman! Do you

dare to stand there and state that you permitted your debts to be
paid by a woman?"

"I state nothing. I admit nothing. My debts are paid."

"And by the proceeds of the pearls," cried Brand, "I do not believe
your fiction about a woman. If you killed Bithiah, we will have no
murderer for our pastor. If a woman--as you say--paid your debts,
you are not fit to occupy our pulpit. It would appear that you add
profligacy to----"

"Stop!" cried Miss Arnott, rising and coming forward with the sweep
and style of a Lady Macbeth. "I forbid you, Brother Korah, to blame
your pastor unjustly. His debts have been paid by a woman;" she
looked round to emphasize her next words, and bespeak the
attention of the congregation. "I am that woman!" she said, drawing
herself up.

There was a pause, during which Miss Arnott's dramatic instincts

were strong enough to appreciate the situation. There she stood,
defiant and calm, with the eyes of the amazed congregation
fastened on her. Johnson remained in his seat, waiting
developments; and Brand, taken by surprise, stared at her
dumbfounded. In the old days there would have been a quick
curtain on this situation, and probably much applause afterwards;
and Miss Arnott, in spite of her conversion and religion, could not
but thrill at this intrusion of melodrama into real life. Certainly she
made the most of her part.

"Yes," she repeated, touching her breast, "I am the woman, and
who will dare to accuse me of acting otherwise than in a Christian
spirit? It was told to me that our pastor was in difficulties about
money, and as I am rich I determined to discharge his debts. 'Bear
ye one another's burdens,' saith the Gospel, and in obedience to that
command I took our pastor's burden on my shoulders. Having
obtained a list of his creditors--it matters not how--I went to London
and there paid their demands in full. That I might do good in secret,
I made those I paid promise to say no word of my deed. Our pastor
sought to learn my name, but could not until I myself revealed it to
him. I did so," said Miss Arnott in her grandest voice, "because he
was accused of stealing those pearls to discharge his liabilities. Of
the crime you would fix upon him, Brother Brand, he is innocent. I
paid the money."
Still no one spoke, least of all Brand, for he realized that his
accusation had fallen to pieces hopelessly. Miss Arnott looked around
her and saw her opportunity for making an effective exit. Seizing it,
she swept with measured steps towards the door. There she paused
and stretched out her arm towards Brand. "'He that diggeth a pit
shall fall into it,'" she declaimed, and, still facing the congregation,
she withdrew slowly. In a transpontine theatre the intensity of the
scene would have brought down the house. As it was, these good
people simply sat silent and stared.

Johnson was the first to recover himself. He rose solemnly. "My

honour has been vindicated," he said. "Brother Korah, I demand that
you withdraw your accusation."

"Yes, yes; withdraw the accusation," cried the congregation, awaking

from their apathy. "Our pastor is innocent."

Brand made as if to speak. He wished to question Johnson

concerning the missing curtain cord. But at this moment one of the
more enthusiastic members struck up a well-known hymn. The
others joined in lustily, and drowned the words of the missionary.
Seeing that the sympathy of the greatest number was with him,
Johnson was wise enough to withdraw. As the singing grew louder
and the people became more excited, he descended the rostrum and
left the chapel. Outside, the night was moonless and starless, and
hardly had the minister taken half a dozen steps when his arm was
seized by Brand. The man was shaking with nervous excitement.

"Brother Johnson," he said in an agitated voice, "believe me, I bear

you no ill-will. I accused you in all good faith, but the Lord hath
spoken. I now know you did not steal the pearls to pay your debts. I
have no doubt you can also explain how the cord, with which Bithiah
was strangled, came to be missing from your study."

"That, I fear at this present moment, I cannot," replied the minister,

simply; "but you must believe in my innocence now?"
"I do, I do. But do not look on me as your enemy. I acted for the
glory of the Lord. I would have cut you off as a withered branch. I
see my mistake now--think of me, I pray, only as your friend."

"I believe you accused me in good faith, Brother Korah. Let us say
no more about the matter."

Brand did not speak, but wrung the minister's hand hard, and darted
back to the chapel. Johnson took his way homeward, wondering at
the rigid nature of the man who would have ruined him in all
honesty. "If thy right hand offend thee cut it off"--that was the
precept upon which Brand had acted; and but for Miss Arnott's
evidence he would have turned Johnson adrift on the world with a
dishonoured name and an endangered life. The pastor shuddered at
the missionary's rigour, but he silently admitted his honesty of
purpose. Then, standing under the stars, he took off his hat, and
thanked God for having aided him in his trouble. There would be no
question now of his leaving Bethgamul.

As he drew near his house, he saw a dark form at the gate. A few
steps brought him beside it, and he then recognized Miss Arnott. She
started as he came up, and looked at him in the glare of the
gaslight. Her eyes were full of tears.

"Miss Arnott," said Johnson, clasping her passive hand, "I thank you
from my soul for the noble way in which you defended me to-night."

"It was only right," whispered the woman, trembling at his touch; "I
know you are innocent."

Recollecting Slade's discovery, and recalling his own suspicions,

Johnson laid his hand on her arm. "Do you know who murdered
her?"

"I? No. How should I know?" Then she caught sight of the
expression on his face. She shrank back. "Surely--you don't suspect
me?" she said in tones of horror.
"Miss Arnott," replied the minister, anxiously, "I will be plain with
you. On the spot where Bithiah's body was found, Slade, the
policeman, discovered your ear-ring!"

"Did he know it was mine?"

"No; I did not tell him. But his theory is that the woman to whom
the ear-ring belongs killed the girl. Were you there on that night?"

"No; I went back to my house after my quarrel with Bithiah, and I

was indoors all the evening."

"How came that ear-ring to be there, then?"

"Bithiah tore the ear-ring from my ear," explained Miss Arnott,

hurriedly; "I can show you the scar. No doubt she took it with her to
the field, and dropped it when she was assaulted by the person who
killed her. I had no hand in her death. You believe me, don't you?"

"Yes, I do," replied Johnson, promptly. "I cannot think a woman who
could act as you have done to-night would murder a defenceless
girl."

"After our quarrel I never saw her. I hated her--why? Because she
was the one you loved. I was jealous and unjust. But I would not
have killed her."

"I am sure of that," said Johnson, kindly. "But tell me--where did you
get that ear-ring?"

"From a gipsy girl named Zara Lovell. She had a pair I admired very
much--they were of gipsy workmanship--and I paid her well to get
me a similar pair."

"Then she still kept her own?"

"Yes--at least, I suppose so. She had them on when I saw her last,
about a year ago. But why do you ask?"

"Slade suspects that Zara killed Bithiah out of jealousy on Finland's

account. Your story of the ear-ring would seem to confirm his belief.
After all, the ear-ring found by Slade may not be yours!"

"I can't say," replied Miss Arnott, drawing her shawl round her. "She
might have killed Bithiah, as you say, and lost her own ear-ring in
the struggle. If it is mine, Bithiah herself must have taken it with
her." She touched the minister timidly. "You believe in my
innocence?"

"Yes; I am sure of it."

"Thank God for that. I could stand any one doubting me but you;"
and before Johnson could stop her, the excited woman had bent
down and kissed his hand. The next moment she was gone.

With a thoughtful face, Johnson walked inside, pondering on the

great love she bore him. His feelings were touched. He thought
more about her than he had done since the death of Bithiah. Was it
possible that the void in his heart, great as it was, could ever be
filled up? The very thought of such a thing seemed treason against
the dead.

The next day he received a letter from Slade, which caused him
considerable surprise. It contained certain instructions, which for his
own safety it was necessary for him to carry out. Amongst other
things, Slade stated that by threatening to denounce the Jew as a
receiver of stolen goods, he had induced him to return with him to
Grimleigh. He hoped to bring him to the minister's house at about
four o'clock that day. Johnson was delighted with the intelligence. It
promised more completely to vindicate him. Meanwhile, having
implicit faith in Slade, he duly carried out his instructions.
All that day he was much agitated. He kept within doors and refused
to see any one, for he was determined not to go amongst his people
until his character was clear. He admitted Chard only. For him he had
sent, in accordance with Slade's instructions. The inspector was
every bit as curious as Johnson himself, and it was with great
impatience they awaited the arrival of the Jew and the policeman. In
the interim, he told Chard of Shackel's accusation.

"Now you will see if these accusations are true," said Johnson,
emphatically. "If I sold the pearls, this man will recognize me at
once."

"And if he does not recognize you, what then?"

"Well, he may be able to describe the man who did sell the pearls."

"The murderer?"

"Without doubt," said Johnson, gravely, "seeing that they were taken
from the body."

"Well, I hope we'll get at the truth, anyway," said Chard. "I had no
idea Slade was so smart!"

At four o'clock to the minute the policeman arrived, and with him a
fat dark little man of a pronounced Hebraic character, whom he
introduced as Mr. Abraham Moss.

"Of Hatton Garden," explained the Jew, with a lisp, "I bought some
pearlth from a gentleman for two thouthand poundth."

"Is this the gentleman?" asked Slade, indicating Johnson.

"Bleth me, no. The gentleman wath tall--with a fair mouthtathe--

good-looking gent. He wath no minithter. Oh no."

"Under what name did he pawn or sell the pearls?" asked Chard.
"Brown--Luke Brown. 'Courth I knew it wath a faith name, and----"
The Jew stopped, for the door had opened, and in it stood a man--
the very man for whom Johnson had sent in accordance with Slade's
instructions. "Why," cried Moss, "that'th the gent ath thold me the
pearlth!"

They all three turned simultaneously towards the door, and saw
Finland!

CHAPTER XIII

ARRESTED

When Jack Finland came, in answer to Johnson's invitation, he little

knew the kind of reception that awaited him. He entered the study
with an alert step, but the merry expression quickly faded from his
face when he recognized Mr. Moss. Nor was the presence of Slade--
even though in plain clothes--and his superior officer, in any way
reassuring.

"That'th the gent ath thold the pearlth," lisped Mr. Moss, pointing a
diamond-ringed finger at the new-comer.

"Oh! this is the gentleman, is it?" said Inspector Chard, blandly.

"Come in, Mr. Finland; you are just in time."

"For what?" asked Jack, making a fight for it. He saw that he was in
a trap, and, anxious to get out of it, glanced at window and door.
But Chard blocked the one, Slade the other. There was nothing for it,
as Finland quickly saw, but to make a bold stand and face the thing
out if possible. "For what?" said he, looking calmly at the unfriendly
faces before him. He felt it was well to know exactly how things
stood before committing himself in any way.

"About those lost pearls for one thing," growled Slade, "and that
girl's murder for t'other."

"What have I to do with either?"

"I know nothing about any murder," said Moss; "but you are the
gent ath thold me the pearlth. I gave you two thouthand poundth
for them. Come now, that'th tho, ain't it?"

"I'm blest if I understand what you're talking about," retorted

Finland; "clap a tackle on your jaw, you measly Hebrew."

"Abuse won't do, Finland," struck in Chard; "you had better keep a
curb on your tongue. It's always best to come quietly."

"You daren't arrest me!"

"That is my intention, as soon as I can get a warrant. In the mean

time, I'm not likely to lose sight of you, my fine fellow."

"What's your charge?"

"Murder!"

"Whose murder?"

"The murder of a Polynesian girl called Tera, or Bithiah."

"It's a lie!" cried Finland, violently. "I never killed the poor girl. I
loved her too well to lay a finger on her."

Johnson, who had remained silent till now, turned to the sailor.
"Unhappy man," he said solemnly, "do not add falsehood to your
sins of murder and theft. Tera left this house with the pearls, and
when her dead body was found the pearls were gone. Your captain,
Shackel, came to blackmail me for----"

"What, Shackel?" cried Jack, savagely; "the blamed old shellback."

"Yes; Captain Jacob declared that I had sold the pearls in London.
He demanded five hundred pounds as the price of his silence. I
declined to compound a felony, and at once informed Slade, here, of
the man's threat. Slade went to London for the purpose of seeing
this gentleman to whom the pearls had been sold, and----"

"Yes, I did that," said the constable, excitedly, cutting the minister
short, "and I called on Mr. Moss. His description of the seller applied
so exactly to you that I wrote to Mr. Johnson, asking him to get you
to come here that we might confront you with Moss."

"S'elp me, that'th ath true ath taxeth," said Moss, "and thith
polithman, he took me from my buthiness to identify you by thaying
ath he'd run me in for rethieving thtolen goodth. How did I know
you'd thtolen the pearlth, you beatht? You thaid your name wath
Brown, and you'd brought the pearlth with you from the Thouth
Theath. You got my money--yeth, two thouthandth poundth. Give it
back to me, and pay me for coming all thith way to pick you out.
Thith buthiness will ruin me."

"I also was informed of the matter by Mr. Johnson," chimed in

Chard, "so I am here, you see, to take part in your reception. I had
my suspicions about you--they were well founded it seems."

"You think so," retorted Finland, "but you're a long way out, let me
tell you. I never put a hand on the girl."

"Then how did you come by the pearls?"

"Shan't tell you; mind your own business."

"That's just what both of us is about to do," said Slade, forgetting
for the moment the presence of his superior officer. "Mr. Inspector
will keep you here, and I'm off to get a warrant for your arrest. Mr.
Moss will come with me." Small matters such as that of precedence
did not exist for the ambitious Slade at this juncture.

"Mither Moth will; but I hope Mither Moth will be paid for all thith
trouble. It'th ruin to leave one'th buthineth like thith. If I have to
give back thothe pearlth I mutht have my money back."

"We'll attend to all that," said Slade, taking the Jew's arm.

"As to getting your money back, I'm afraid that won't be so easy, Mr.
Moss," said Chard. "Since I received the intelligence of Finland's
guilt, I have been making inquiries, and I find he is part owner of
the schooner lying out in the bay yonder. I expect he spent the
money in buying her."

"Oh, you thwindler!" cried the excited Hebrew, "ith thith tho?"

"Half the Dayspring is mine," admitted Jack, sulkily; "but I'm not
going to tell you where I got the money to buy her."

"I'll put in an ecthecuthion, I will. I'll levy it mythelf on board the

ship."

"If you do that, Captain Jacob will sling you overboard."

"I'll take a conthtable with me. I will have my money," screeched the
irate Shylock.

"Now, come along, please; we must get this warrant," said Slade,
taking the arm of Mr. Moss, and pulling him out of the room.

Left alone with Johnson and Chard, the sailor made no attempt to
leave. He sat down with a sulky expression on his face, and betrayed
not the least concern. It would seem that he was not fully alive to
the danger of his position. Chard looked at him with bland
satisfaction.

"You had better make a clean breast of it, my man," said he.

Jack scowled at him, and rudely turned his chair so as to face the
minister.

"Mr. Johnson," he said quietly, "you are an honest man amongst

these land sharks, and I can trust you. I seem to be in a tight place,
but I swear that I am as innocent as an unborn babe. Shackel can
prove my innocence; so I ask you to take a note to him from me."

Johnson, who had no love for Shackel after the way in which the
little scoundrel had tried to blackmail him, would have refused; but
Chard, at Finland's back, made a sign to him to accept the trust. The
inspector thought that Jack was about to write to Shackel, asking
him to destroy some evidence which might implicate him still further
in the crime. At all events, he thought the letter would probably
prove of some value, directly or indirectly. He was glad, therefore,
when Johnson, understanding his signal, acceded to Finland's
request.

"Certainly, I will deliver your note," said the minister, gravely. "I only
hope you will be able to free yourself from this critical position."

"Do you believe I killed Tera?"

"If you sold the pearls, it certainly looks very like it," replied
Johnson, "seeing that they were taken from her dead body. Yet, as I
know you loved the girl, and she was willing to give you both herself
and her pearls, I confess that I have my doubts as to your guilt.
Besides, I honestly admit that I do not think you are a bad man.
Frivolous and godless and profligate no doubt you are, but far from
being a murderer. No, Mr. Finland, black as are appearances against
you, I cannot bring myself to believe in your guilt."
Jack looked at the minister with a friendly smile, and stretched out a
large brown hand.

"You're a white man," said he, coolly; "I'll take more stock in your
piety when I'm out of this fix. Shake."

The minister hesitated, for although he really did believe in the

young sailor's innocence, yet the man had been his rival, and he
found it difficult to be on easy terms with him. However, his better
nature prevailed, and he shook hands.

"That heartens me up a lot," said Jack, cheerfully; "there is balm in

Gilead, after all, as Rachel says. Now I'll score a line to that blamed
old idiot who has caused all this breeze."

"Who is that?" asked Chard. Finland looked at him again, ignored

him completely, and in silence sat down in the chair before the desk,
vacated by the minister. Chard kept his eyes on him, and smiled at
the foolish manner in which the man was giving himself away.
Honestly speaking, he had no ill-will towards Jack, but the insolent
behaviour of the sailor was not without its effect, and he determined
when the warrant came to spare him in no way.

That Finland might be innocent, the inspector did not consider at all.
He had sold the pearls, as was proved plainly by the evidence of
Moss; and he could only have taken them from the dead body. The
man's coolness amazed him; for Jack scribbled away at his note
quite nonchalantly, utterly indifferent to the sword of Damocles
which swung over his head. Chard marvelled what defence he could
have in his mind to make.

Johnson looked out of the window. He also was puzzled by the

behaviour of Finland. On the face of the evidence against him it was
impossible to doubt his complicity. Yet the minister could in no way
divine the man's motive for murder. He could have had the pearls for
the asking; there was no need for him to kill the poor girl. Moreover,
Finland had loved her dearly; and it was incredible that for any
cause he could have killed her. Yet he had sold the pearls. There
could be no doubt about that; and he was the nephew of the man in
whose field the body had been so skilfully hidden. How to reconcile
these conflicting elements, Johnson could not see. He was still
puzzling the matter out in his own mind, when Jack finished his
letter with a cheery laugh.

"You'll laugh on the other side of your mouth soon," said Chard,
testily.

"I guess that's my biz," retorted Finland, addressing the inspector for
the first time. "'Taint my habit to squeal afore I'm hurt. Mr. Johnson,
here is the letter. I'll take it kind of you if you'll deliver it to old
Ramshackel as soon as you can."

"I'll see to it, Mr. Finland," replied Johnson, slipping the note into his
pocket, whither it was followed by Chard with greedy eyes, "And I
trust, for your own sake and your uncle's, that you will prove
yourself innocent of this fearful charge."

"Well, I don't say as I haven't got an ace somewhere, sir; but it ain't
time to plank it down yet. May I smoke?"

"I would if I were you," interposed Chard; "you'll not get tobacco in
prison, you know."

"Nor manners either, I guess, if you're to turn the key."

Chard vouchsafed no reply, and the three waited in silence for the
return of Slade. In a surprisingly short space of time, considering his
errand, the constable returned in uniform with a warrant for
Finland's arrest. Now that the worst had come, Jack turned a trifle
pale, and slipped his pipe into his pocket with an uneasy laugh.
Chard seemed well pleased.

"Take him to the lock-up, Slade," he ordered; "we'll have him up

before the magistrate at Poldew to-morrow. I'll remain here; Mr.
Johnson and I must have a few words."

"Come on," said Slade, now a typical Jack-in-office. He laid his hand
on Finland's collar.

"Don't show off, mate," said Finland, twisting himself free. "I'll go
quiet enough. Let's walk arm-in-arm, and then they'll take us for
brothers. 'Tain't no use kicking up dust, you know. Good-bye, Mr.
Chard; I'll put a spoke in your wheel before this crook is straightened
out. Mr. Johnson, you're a square man. I thank you for your
kindness. Don't forget to give that letter to the skipper."

"I promise you it shall be delivered this evening."

Jack and Slade departed quite affectionately, arm-in-arm, as the

sailor had suggested. Chard waited till they were fairly on their way.
Then he turned to the minister peremptorily.

"Now then, sir, that letter, if you please!"

Johnson looked astonished and ill pleased. "The letter is for Captain
Shackel, sir."

"Afterwards, perhaps: first it is for me. You don't think I am going to

lose a chance of making things safe for this scoundrel's hanging?"

"Finland is not a scoundrel," rejoined Johnson, quietly; "indeed, I

begin to think he is perfectly innocent. As to the letter, that remains
in my pocket."

"Mr. Johnson, I don't want to be unpleasant," cried Chard, looking

ugly, "but I must remind you that I am a police officer. I've a perfect
right to see the letter of a man under arrest on a criminal charge;
and I must insist upon your handing it over to me."

"Does the law authorize you to read this letter?"

"Yes, sir; it does. If the man were free it would not, but the law
permits me to gather all evidence I can in support of the case. That
letter may be invaluable. Give it to me, please."

Johnson hesitated. He saw the weakness of his position. He wished

to assist Finland, for he believed him to be innocent; moreover, he
did not wish, without the strongest reason, to fail in the trust he had
undertaken. Still, Chard, as the representative of the law, had right
and might on his side. If he did not give up the letter willingly, he
would no doubt be forced to. On consideration he decided he could
do nothing but yield.

"Here is the letter," said he, taking it from his pocket. "I trust you
will deliver it to its address when you have done with it."

"That depends entirely upon the contents," said Chard, grimly. He

untwisted the piece of paper. Finland had not put it into an envelope.
The reason for this was soon apparent. Chard looked at it carefully,
then he swore.

"Mr. Chard," reproved Johnson, "why such language?"

The inspector clapped the letter on the table before Johnson. "Isn't
that enough to make a man swear? The rascal has written his letter
in cypher."

It ran as follows:--

Coded Message
"Can't you understand it?" asked Johnson, puzzled.

"No; can you?" snapped the inspector, picking up the cypher.

"Not a bit. What will you do now?"

"Take it to the man who does?"

"Who is that?"

"Why," said Chard, coolly, "the man to whom it is written--Captain

Shackel. I'll make him read it to me." Then Chard went off.

Left alone, Johnson sighed. "If Finland is innocent," he thought, "I

fear we shall never know who killed poor Tera."

CHAPTER XIV

AN AMAZING INCIDENT

Grimleigh hummed like a hive in the swarming season. Through

Slade, via his tattling wife, the news of Finland's arrest was spread
with the rapidity of influenza. As usual, rumour increased as a
snowball does, and that evening half the town knew how Finland
had met Tera by accident near Carwell's field, how he had quarrelled
with her, strangled her, and fled with the pearls, to sell them in
London and buy a schooner. The circumstantial account was given
with a wealth of detail which did credit to the imagination of those
who repeated it. But there were some who declined to believe that
Welcome to our website – the perfect destination for book lovers and
knowledge seekers. We believe that every book holds a new world,
offering opportunities for learning, discovery, and personal growth.
That’s why we are dedicated to bringing you a diverse collection of
books, ranging from classic literature and specialized publications to
self-development guides and children's books.

More than just a book-buying platform, we strive to be a bridge

connecting you with timeless cultural and intellectual values. With an
elegant, user-friendly interface and a smart search system, you can
quickly find the books that best suit your interests. Additionally,
our special promotions and home delivery services help you save time
and fully enjoy the joy of reading.

Join us on a journey of knowledge exploration, passion nurturing, and

personal growth every day!

ebookbell.com