"So far he was misled, Mr. Inspector. Two wrongs do not make a right, and it is not the custom of our congregation to spread the Word by means of murder. He killed Zara in mistake for Tera, I know; but his intention was to do evil that good might come of it--a very wrong intention."
"Well, if I catch him, he'll pay for his experiment."
"You know now that Mayne's not guilty, of course."
"I do. Mr. Johnson and Mr. and Mrs. Finland have made an affidavit setting out Brand's confession of his crime; and so far as we are concerned that document exonerates Mr. Mayne. But I wish we could get the man himself. What of your daughter, Mr. Carwell?"
"She is to marry Mr. Mayne as soon as he is well enough," replied the farmer, gloomily. "In the end I had to give my consent. Rachel would have done without it else. However, she may yet bring the man to grace. There is joy over the sinner that repenteth."
"I hear Mr. Mayne intends to sell his farm?"
"Yes, he and Rachel intend going to America. They will start afresh there."
"And you, Mr. Carwell; do you go with them?"
"I am, I fear, too old a tree to be transplanted, Mr. Chard. No; when Rachel goes, a niece of mine--Jack's sister--is coming to look after my house. I shall miss my daughter more than I can say; but I must be content to lose her. We know that a woman must forsake father and mother to cling to her husband. I only hope that Herbert Mayne will deserve his good fortune."
"That I'm sure he will," said Chard, in a tone of conviction. "He has had a fright likely to last him his life, I promise you."