"I can do that," said the Polynesian, when this order was translated to him. "Oh yes, Tolai is cunning: he can work in many ways. The truth shall be told by Misi himself."
"Shall we have the police in?" asked Johnson, after a pause.
"No," replied Jack, promptly; "you and I understand Polynesian lingo, but they don't. First we'll make sure that Brand is guilty; then send Mrs. Hoppus for the police. I'll have the truth from that scoundrel, if I squeeze his life out to get it."
"He is a strong man, Mr. Finland."
"'Thrice armed is he who has his quarrel just,'" quoted Jack, grimly. "Look at my arm, sir. I guess that will level the beast."
When the time arrived and the conspiracy became fact, Tera, as usual, proved unreasonable. She wanted to overhear the conversation also, and pouted and sulked because the two men wished her to remain behind.
"Let her come," said Jack, at length. "Three witnesses are better than two, and Tera knows the native lingo better than we do. She can put us right if we miss a word."
So it was decided that Tera should be an active member in the conspiracy, and after giving Tolai his last instructions--Johnson had pointed out Brand's lodgings in the afternoon--the three went to Mrs. Hoppus's. She was a little tremulous old woman with a grey cap and a grey dress. She seemed very nervous at the whole proceeding. She showed them into a clean empty bedroom, where they had to sit on the floor. There was a door between this and the sitting-room, but the wall was only of lath and plaster, and thin and old at that. It was certain that every word would be heard quite plainly.
"Then through the back door we can run round to the front and catch him," said Jack, cheerfully. "You'll wait too, won't you, Mrs. Hoppus?"
"Oh no, my dear gentleman, I can't," whimpered the little grey woman. "I must go to the kitchen to see after Mr. Brand's supper. Ah me! perhaps he will not eat it."