CHAPTER XXIII

TRAPPED

"Korah Brand!" repeated Jack, in amazement. This was the very last name he had expected to hear. "Your pet missionary!--what on earth do you mean?"

"He killed Zara--I am certain of it," answered Johnson, positively; "though for the present I grant you I have no proof. Now, let us see what is best to be done."

"Done? Why, tell the inspector, of course, and get the beggar arrested."

"No; that's just what we can't do just yet. We must have something tangible to go upon; and that's where I want you to help me. Sit down, Mr. Finland, and we will go thoroughly into this matter."

Jack took a seat; and as he looked inquiringly at the minister, he could not help being struck with the marked improvement in Johnson. Both in mind and body the man seemed in much more normal condition than when he had seen him last. True, his face was still thin, but there was more colour in it, and when he spoke it was with a degree of assurance that had formerly been altogether absent. Since the suspicions against him had been proved groundless, he had been able in a large degree to resume his normal habits. The incessant mental strain under which he laboured then had been removed, and his body had responded accordingly. He spoke now with force and decision. His indignation against Brand was in every way excusable; for to him it was that in a large degree he owed the terrible trouble which had come upon him recently. That indignation now spurred him on. He could, perhaps, have forgiven the man had he been his open enemy. But he had struck at him in the dark. He had plotted against him--against his very life--under the cloak of religion and brotherly love. He was a very Judas, and, as such, Johnson felt it behoved him to unmask the man. Therefore was he prepared to spare no pains to make his suspicions certainties. He judged this shrewd young sailor would prove a valuable ally; and the result proved his judgment to be correct.

"I am more than angered at Brand," he said to Jack, in a tone of voice almost foreign to his usually gentle manner of speech. "Perhaps you notice that I no longer call him 'brother.' He shall be cast from out the congregation of Bethgamul, for he has done more than break the sixth commandment. But it is of that that he must first be proved guilty."

"Well, do you expect that will be very difficult?"

"It will, and it will not, Mr. Finland. To make you understand what I mean, it will be necessary for me to go back to my life in Koiau. You know that I was a missionary in that island. Buli, the High Chief, protected me, and I spread the gospel to the best of my poor ability. Now, Brand was there also. He had been a sailor on board a whaling-boat, and having been called to grace, he took to mission work. I met him in Koiau, where he was trying to convert Niga."

"I remember Niga. Buli's brother, was he not?"

"Yes, Buli's brother, and a man of no small importance. Buli I did not succeed in converting, but I was successful both with his wife Viara and his daughter Tera. In time I hoped to bring the light to Buli's darkened soul, for he had leanings to our faith. With Niga, it was different. He was a fierce heathen, and devoted to the old idol worship. I never thought Brand would succeed with him, but he protected Brand, for the reason that the ex-sailor had shown him how to design and build canoes larger than were commonly in use among the natives. When I left Koiau the population was divided into two parts: the one half followed Buli, and inclined to the teaching of the haolis (whites); the other--the heathen party--held by Niga, and would have killed all the missionaries. You understand?"

"Yes. Was there any fighting?"

"No; Buli was the stronger, and Niga did not dare to attack him. Now, you must know that Tera is Buli's only child, and he is very fond of her. He intends that she shall marry some big warrior, and rule the island after his death. He does not trust Niga, who would restore the old sacrifices."

"That is bad for me," said Jack, thoughtfully. "Buli won't be pleased at my marrying Tera."

"On the contrary," said Johnson, so calmly that it was easily seen how his unreasonable passion for the girl had passed away, "I think Buli will be pleased. He likes the white men, because they can civilize his people. If you go to Koiau with Tera, as her husband. Buli will make you his heir. Then you can civilize the islanders and teach them the blessings of Christianity."

"I'm not much of a hand at religion, Mr. Johnson; but I'll do my best."

"I am sure you will. But to resume. Niga, knowing that Buli intended Tera for his heiress, tried to kill her. But Viara, who is clever and watchful, managed to thwart him. Knowing the girl's danger, I offered to bring her to England with me and have her educated, so that she might be the better able to influence her people for good. Both Buli and Viara accepted the offer, so I brought Tera to England, away from all danger."

"But what has all this to do with Brand?"

"I am coming to that," said the minister, quietly. "The other day, Tolai came here with a message from Viara, from which it appears that Niga, wishing to get Tera out of the way before she could return, induced Brand to come to England and kill her. What he was to have for so wicked a deed I do not know. The plot was betrayed to Viara by one of Niga's wives, and she at once sent Tolai home to tell me and to protect Tera. Also, she made Tolai promise to be as Tera's shadow, in case Brand tried to murder her. Now you know why Tolai has been by Tera's side all these days."

"The scoundrel!" cried Jack. "Then you think that Brand killed Zara in mistake for Tera?"

"I am certain of it. Brand was often in this study, and I have no doubt he stole the curtain-cord with the intention of implicating me in the crime, if possible. On seeing Zara in Tera's dress, he took her for his victim. On strangling her, and finding out his mistake, he no doubt dragged the body into the corn. What makes me so indignant is that Brand, knowing I was innocent, conspired with Slade to accuse me of the murder. He even tried to persuade me to run away; which would have been a tacit admission of guilt. I am thankful," added the minister, "that Tera was not given over to the charge of Brand. He would have murdered her on the way to Koiau, I feel cer---- What is the matter, Finland? Don't swear, I beg."

For Jack was on his feet, making use of language not fit for that respectable study.

"The brute!" he cried. "He was at the skipper the other day to get a free passage to Koiau. Shackel consented; and I have no doubt he intended to sling Tera overboard when we were well out at sea. Where is the skunk, Mr. Johnson? I will wring his neck."

"Calm yourself, Finland. You can't go to him with my story, for he will deny it altogether, and then we can prove nothing. We must trap him into a confession. I do not like resorting to cunning, but while Brand is free, and hidden by the mask of religion, Tera is not safe. Now, how can we get his story out of him?"

"That is not difficult," said Finland, who was as fertile in resources as most sailors are. "Let Tolai go to him and say that he comes from Niga to know when Tera is to be killed. Brand will believe this, and will talk freely. Now if you and I, Mr. Johnson, can overhear that conversation, we shall learn the truth."

"That is a good idea; but how are we to overhear it?"

"Where does Brand live?" was Jack's next question.

"Not far from here. He lodges with Sister Hoppus."

"Of your congregation?"

"Certainly," said Johnson, stiffly. "Did you not hear me call her sister?"

"Then, as you are her pastor, she will do a lot for you. Let Tolai ask Brand to see him privately in his lodgings, so that he may give him Niga's message. In the mean time, you see Mrs. Hoppus, and get her to hide us in the next room to that in which they are. Then we shall hear the whole business, and know how to act."

Johnson looked doubtful. "I am afraid that Sister Hoppus will not lend herself to such a deception," he said.

"You must try and talk her over," replied Jack. "I dare say it will be difficult, but I guess the business is worth it. I want to know the truth, for Rachel's sake."

"Well," said Johnson, after some reflection, "your plan is a good one, and we will try it. If Brand condemns himself, out of his own mouth, we need ask for no further proof;" and so the matter was decided.

That afternoon the two conspirators took Tera and Tolai into their confidence. Tera did not like Brand, and quite believed in his guilt. She was more enraged than afraid on hearing of the plot against her life, and insisted upon seeing him then and there, to taunt him with its failure. It was with the utmost difficulty that Johnson kept her in the house, but ultimately she consented to remain with Jack while the minister saw Mrs. Hoppus. During his absence both Tera and her lover instructed Tolai in the part he was to play. Tolai was quick-witted and cunning: he hated Niga and Niga's tool, Korah Brand; therefore he was quite ready to snare the man to his own undoing. Both Johnson and Finland were loth to resort to such underhand means, but, considering the exigencies of the case, they considered no choice was left them.

In an hour Johnson returned with the intelligence that he had been successful in securing the co-operation of Sister Hoppus. From the account he gave this had been no very easy task.

"She has a great opinion of the man," said he, "and looks upon him as a devout Christian. When I enlightened her, she at first refused to believe me. But I argued with her, and explained myself at length. I pointed out that an innocent man was in danger of his life for Brand's sin. Ultimately, she came round so far as to say that she would hide us in the room next to Brand's parlour.

"Does she now believe him guilty?" asked Jack.

"No, she will not believe until she is convinced by his own words, so I have arranged that she shall wait with us, and hear what passes."

"That is of no use," put in Tera. "Misi Brand will talk to Tolai in our own tongue."

"So I told Sister Hoppus. Still, when we learn the truth, we can come out and force Brand to confess it in her presence. She will then be convinced. Brand is expected home to his supper at seven o'clock to-night, so we will go to the house at half-past six, and hide in the next room."

"What about Tolai?"

"Tolai will present himself at the door somewhere about seven, and ask to see Brand. Then he must do his best to make the man confess."

"I can do that," said the Polynesian, when this order was translated to him. "Oh yes, Tolai is cunning: he can work in many ways. The truth shall be told by Misi himself."

"Shall we have the police in?" asked Johnson, after a pause.

"No," replied Jack, promptly; "you and I understand Polynesian lingo, but they don't. First we'll make sure that Brand is guilty; then send Mrs. Hoppus for the police. I'll have the truth from that scoundrel, if I squeeze his life out to get it."

"He is a strong man, Mr. Finland."

"'Thrice armed is he who has his quarrel just,'" quoted Jack, grimly. "Look at my arm, sir. I guess that will level the beast."

When the time arrived and the conspiracy became fact, Tera, as usual, proved unreasonable. She wanted to overhear the conversation also, and pouted and sulked because the two men wished her to remain behind.

"Let her come," said Jack, at length. "Three witnesses are better than two, and Tera knows the native lingo better than we do. She can put us right if we miss a word."

So it was decided that Tera should be an active member in the conspiracy, and after giving Tolai his last instructions--Johnson had pointed out Brand's lodgings in the afternoon--the three went to Mrs. Hoppus's. She was a little tremulous old woman with a grey cap and a grey dress. She seemed very nervous at the whole proceeding. She showed them into a clean empty bedroom, where they had to sit on the floor. There was a door between this and the sitting-room, but the wall was only of lath and plaster, and thin and old at that. It was certain that every word would be heard quite plainly.

"Then through the back door we can run round to the front and catch him," said Jack, cheerfully. "You'll wait too, won't you, Mrs. Hoppus?"

"Oh no, my dear gentleman, I can't," whimpered the little grey woman. "I must go to the kitchen to see after Mr. Brand's supper. Ah me! perhaps he will not eat it."

"Perhaps not," rejoined Jack, dryly. "He'll have precious little appetite, I guess, when we've done with him. You'd better not take his supper in, Mrs. Hoppus, or he'll smell a rat!"

"I will send in Jane, my servant," she replied.

In the dark Jack touched Johnson's arm. "Can you trust her?" he whispered. "She won't split?"

"No, she's right enough. She hopes that Brand will vindicate his character, you know. Hush! he may be back at any moment."

So the three sat in the dark, with their ears against the wall. The minutes went slowly by, and they were growing tired of their cramped position, when the door was heard to open and Brand entered the room. They recognized him by his voice, as he told the servant to bring in his supper. Jane, who was not in the plot, conveyed her mistress's excuses for not personally attending on her lodger. She then disappeared, returning shortly with the meal. Brand sat down to it. He had hardly eaten a mouthful when Jane introduced Tolai.

"Here's a nigger, sir, as wants to see you," said Jane, edging off from the black man.

"Tolai!" said Brand, rising in astonishment; "Tolai come to see me?"

"Ioé!" replied the man, nodding. "You no savvy wot me want tell you; all--e--same you know. Niga, Misi; Niga."

"Jane, you can go," said Brand, turning to the girl. As she left the room he rose and locked the door.

"Now, what is it?" he said to Tolai, in the native tongue. "Speak your own tongue, Tolai, else the woman may hear. These walls are not thick!"

"Good," replied Tolai, standing like a pupil before Brand, but nevertheless cunningly getting as close as possible to the wall behind which the three were hidden. "I no love the white man's tongue, Misi. I have looked for you these many days. I come from Niga."

"Did Niga send you to me?"

"Yes, Misi; he sent me to ask about Tera."

"But you were with her the other day," said Korah, a trifle suspiciously. "You declared then that you came from Viara."

"Oh yes, I know I say so. But you do not understand, Misi. I am clever. Niga wants Tera to die; so he told me to say I came from Viara. Then Tera loves me and wants me always to be with her. Some day I kill her--you see?"

"Does Niga want you to kill her?"

"Yes, Misi, he does--me or you."

Not the least suspicion had Brand that Tolai was lying to him, still less acting a part to which six eager ears were listening--straining to catch every word, in the adjoining room. He answered freely, without so much as lowering his voice, for he felt secure in speaking the Polynesian tongue.

"I suppose Niga did send you," he said slowly, "or you would hardly know as much as you do. The girl is not dead yet, as you see; and if there is to be any killing, I had rather you did it. I've had enough of the business."

He shuddered slightly.

"You are no warrior, Misi. Why did you not obey Niga?"

"I did; or at least I thought I did. But it turned out I had made a mistake. Tera had changed clothes with another girl. I strangled that girl in mistake for her!"

"Ha! ha! You should have been sure she was the right one, Misi; you should have watched for her!"

"I did, Tolai. I watched longer than you would have cared to watch," answered Brand, with some irritation. "I saw that Tera was accustomed to take a walk every evening in the twilight, so I determined to follow her and strangle her. I thought that was the quietest way of settling her. I took a cord, a silk cord, from Misi Johnson's room, and one evening I followed her. But I lost sight of her for a while; some people were about, and I had to take great care not to be seen. When I came up with her--as I thought--again, she was walking along, crying. I crept up behind her, and threw the cord round her neck. She died very quietly, but it was only after she was dead that I discovered she was a gipsy girl, and not Tera. So I have a murder on my soul, and that for nothing!"

"Ahoee!" said Tolai. "If you are so afraid, why did you promise to kill Tera?"

"Why? Well, you, poor savage, would not understand. But Niga promised me that if Tera died, and he became chief, he would compel all the people of Koiau to become Christians. I sacrificed the girl that the gospel might be spread."

"But she is not yet dead!"

"Then you must kill her on the way back to Koiau. I will not act again, no, not even to bring Koiau into the fold. That dead girl's face is ever before me. I have sinned. I have done very wrong."

"You have done wrong!" repeated Tolai, drawing nearer. Then, with a lurch at Brand's throat, he shouted, "Yes, and you shall die for it!"

"Tolai!" gasped Brand, and the two men crashed on to the table. They rolled to the floor, Brand fighting desperately for life. Mrs. Hoppus rushed in, screaming and wringing her hands. Jack followed, and after him Tera and Johnson.

"Let go, Tolai," cried Finland, trying to wrench him away. "Tera, make him leave go!"

Tera laid hold of the native, and together she and Jack pulled him away. In a moment Brand was on his feet glaring at them.

"Brand," said Johnson, solemnly, "we know all. We have heard all. You killed----"

Before he could finish his sentence Korah Brand had seen the danger of his position--the trap into which he had fallen. With a yell the wretched man caught Johnson round the body and dashed him against Tera and Jack, who were holding Tolai. Mrs. Hoppus fell on her knees in terror. Quick as thought Brand turned out the lamp.

"Stop him! Stop!" shrieked Jack. But it was too late. Struggling in the darkness, they heard the door dashed open, and before they could recover themselves Brand had vanished into the night. But he had left the truth behind him.