"I must see the money in cash," said Tera, cunningly. "I won't speak till then."
"Let us drive into Poldew this afternoon, then," replied Rachel, impatiently, "and you can get the money yourself. And let me tell you, Bithiah, I would not give you this money so readily unless I had already determined to give it to Jack. My father refuses to lend it, but I am willing to do so, as I know Jack will give it to me again, when he makes money in the South Seas."
"So long as Jack gets the money to go to Koiau, I don't care if you give it or lend it," replied Tera, sullenly; "I am only anxious to get away."
Rachel said nothing, but left the room to give directions about Herbert, so that he might be well attended during her absence. Shortly the two girls were driving to Poldew, with Tolai behind them, for the Polynesian utterly refused to leave his mistress. The money was obtained in gold, as Tera wished, and this, packed in a little wooden box, corded and sealed, was placed in the trap.
"Now," said Tera, gleefully, "let us drive to Grimleigh and take the money to Jack. He is on board the schooner."
As they drove off, Rachel could no longer restrain her impatience.
"Now, then," she said, when they were out of the town, "who killed Zara?"
Tera, who was driving, shook the reins with a careless laugh.
"Oh!" she said coolly, "I killed her myself!"
CHAPTER XXI "THE END DOES NOT ALWAYS JUSTIFY THE MEANS"
When Tera made the astounding statement that she it was who had killed Zara poor Rachel laughed incredulously. She thought the girl was joking, and she felt she could in nowise appreciate such ill-timed humour. She was really angry.
"It is too bad of you, Bithiah," she said, flushing. "Did you get that money out of me, did you take me from Herbert's sick-bed, only to talk in this silly manner? You should know enough of English life by this time to behave yourself. I don't like such jokes."
Tera shrugged her shoulders in a way she had picked up at school, and flicked the horse. "I am not joking," she said calmly; "I did kill Zara."
"I cannot believe it," cried Rachel, in horror.
"Just as you please, but I am telling you the truth."
"Tera! Bithiah! Do you mean to say that you strangled Zara?"
"Ioé," said Tera, pettishly. "How often am I to speak?"