Theodore stepped back and then stepped forward. He could scarcely believe his ears. "Have you allowed that?" he asked in consternation.
"Yes. Akira is a good match, and Mara loves him."
"But he's a Japanese?"
"What does that matter?"
"I don't believe in marriages between members of different races."
Colpster looked at him cynically. "What the devil does it matter what you believe! I agreed to the marriage for two, or rather, for three reasons. In the first place, Mara would have married in any case had I not consented. In the second, she threatened, if I did not agree, to tell Akira about the emerald, which he would then have taken from me. In the third place, Akira said that if I agreed, he would send someone to-night to tell me all about the murder of Martha and reveal the name of the person who did it."
"It was the priest with the scar on his cheek who did it," said Theodore in vigorous tones. "Will he--Akira that is--send him?"
"I don't know. Don't bother me!" said the Squire, turning over on his pillows. "I'll see him when you are all out of the house."
"I'm not going to that infernal entertainment," said Theodore snappishly, "as I don't approve of Mara marrying that yellow man. I shall stay here and listen to what this emissary of Akira's has to say."
"Oh, do what you like; do what you like; only don't bother me!" said Colpster again, and very sharply. "Clear out, please!"