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.