gifts of a light woman."

Though he felt sick in mind and body, Johnson could not let this remark pass without a protest.

"Miss Arnott is one of our most devoted sisters," said he, stiffly; "she was once in the bonds of sin as a singing woman, but she gave up the allurements of the world to serve humbly in our Zion."

"The old leaven is still in her, brother. Such gay adornments savour of the world. Let me say a word in season----"

"This is not the season for words," interrupted Johnson, impatiently. "I have to speak with you on other and more important matters."

"Nothing is more important than a man's soul," rebuked Korah, shaking his shaggy head; "but I suppose you desire to talk of the maiden Bithiah?"

"Yes. I want you to take her away to Koiau as soon as possible; but I fear that you will not be able to do so." Johnson rose and paced the room. "She has disappeared," he said, in a low voice.

"Disappeared!" repeated Brand, harshly. "What do you mean, brother? Have you lost the precious pearl entrusted to your charge?"

"Tera is lost. I admit she----."

"Not Tera, friend. We know her as Bithiah."

"Bithiah is lost," repeated the minister, patiently. "She left my house last evening, shortly after four o'clock, and has not returned. I fear," he added, "that she has taken her pearls with her."

"What pearls, brother? What pearls?"

"Pearls worth three thousand pounds, which Buli gave her to sell here, before she returned to Koiau. She wished to keep them until the time of her return, and gave them into my keeping. In this drawer," said Johnson, touching the desk, "I locked them up. When I returned yesterday evening the pearls were gone--Bithiah also."

It will be perceived that Johnson omitted to explain the loss and return of the bills. This he did for two reasons. Firstly, his private affairs were his own concern. Secondly, to take Brand into his confidence would result only in a lecture. Korah, however, found in the disappearance of Tera and her pearls quite sufficient matter for anger. It was serious that an influential convert, and a comparatively large fortune, should be lost to the sect of which he was a member. At first he was inclined to speak severely; 

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