"No, but I didn't wish you to kill her, my dear."
"Kill her!" Tera looked up in amazement. "But I didn't kill her."
Finland was so dumfounded that he could only stare.
"I did not kill her," repeated Tera, rising. "What makes you think I did?"
"Why--why--you said so!"
"Of course I did--to Rachel. She would not give me the money you wanted unless I told her who killed Zara. I don't know who did, and I couldn't think of any one else, so I said I killed her."
"Tera!" Jack's arms were round her, and his voice was shaking with the emotion caused by a sense of relief. "Then you made up this story to get the money?"
"Why, of course. You didn't think it was true, Jack?"
"Upon my soul, I did," gasped Jack, not knowing whether to be amused or angered. "Oh, Lord, Tera, what a fright you have given me! You told me the story with so much detail that I thought it was all square. I never heard better lying in my life."
"You are not angry now, Jack?"