"Wait," said Carwell, coming up to them. "I am prepared to take Tera under my roof until you are married."
"I think it would be better," put in Johnson, in a low voice.
"Yes, and have Brand after her!" said Jack.
"No, I promise you that shall not be. She will be safe with us until she leaves as your wife. Come, Jack, you had better agree."
"Will you give me that five hundred?" asked Finland.
"We will talk of that later, nephew. In the mean time, is Tera to come with us? If you are wise you----"
"Will you go, Tera?"
"Yes," replied the girl, leaving Jack's arm for that of his uncle. "I shall be quite safe with Mr. Carwell. I shall marry no one but you, Jack."
Johnson could stand it no longer. Turning on his heel, without a word he walked away. He still loved the girl, and he realized that she was lost to him for ever. In the distance he espied a fellow-sufferer in the person of Pharaoh Lee. He, too, had lost the girl he loved, and in a more cruel way. Johnson hastened up to him and touched him on the shoulder.
"What are you thinking of, Lee?" he asked, with a wretched smile.