"I know you are not, and I trust you. Jack. There is no need for you to give me any paper or bond. Take the money, and trade with it as you say. I hope it will bring you luck, and that you will prosper."
"It is very good of you to do this for me, Rachel. I wish I could do something for you in return."
"Find out who killed this poor girl. Jack, and I shall be amply repaid. In some way or another, I must save Herbert. Mr. Chard intends to arrest him as soon as he is well enough to be moved. Save him from that, if you can."
"I'll do my best, Rachel; for, bad as Herbert is--well, I won't say a word against him, since it vexes you--I don't believe he is guilty, and I'll do my best to help you and him. Now I'm off."
"Won't you stay to dinner. Jack?"
"No, thanks. I promised Tera to go back to Mr. Johnson's. If I learn anything to help you and Herbert, I'll come back and tell you." "Good-bye, Rachel, and thank you for the money."
"Good-bye, Jack. God grant you may be successful."
Jack echoed the prayer as he walked back to Grimleigh, but he had little hope that it would be answered. He had no experience in criminal cases, and could not see how he was to find out the truth in this especial one. The matter of Zara's death was surrounded by mysteries; and think as he could, this simple sailor could not conjecture how they were to be solved. Where Slade and Chard, both trained men, had failed, he could hardly hope to succeed. Much as he wished to repay Rachel for her kindness, he saw no chance of doing so in the particular way she desired--in the way, too, which would best serve her. And so he was a trifle dejected when he arrived at Mr. Johnson's house.
The minister had returned, and, when he saw Finland at the gate, stepped out of the window to beckon him into the study.
"Bithiah and Tolai are at the mid-day meal," he said, in answer to Jack's inquiries; "we will join them soon, meanwhile I wish to consult you."