and combed his beard with his fingers. "So far as I can judge from your story," said he, rebukingly, "this maiden has departed to avoid your love."

"Say rather because I wished to keep her from Finland."

"Well, I will see Finland, brother. If he knows where Bithiah is, she shall be brought back--but not to you. I myself will take her to Koiau and deliver her to her father."

"You take no account of my feelings," said Johnson, bitterly.

"The Lord's work cannot be hindered for your earthly passion. If Buli knew that you wished to take his child from him, he would not protect our missionaries, and the good seed would be sown in barren ground. But we can speak of these things later, Brother Johnson. The first thing to do is to rescue the maiden from the consequences of her foolish flight, I will question Finland. And you?"

"I am going up to London by the mid-day train to see Captain Shackel."

"Why not write or telegraph?" suggested Korah.

"I think it best to be on the spot myself, brother."

The missionary nodded and rose to leave the room. At the door he paused and looked at Johnson keenly from under his shaggy brows.

"Brother," said he in a deep and solemn voice, "your feet are straying from the narrow path. You love this maiden entrusted to your care, and weary after the pearls."

"No, no, I do not. What do I want with the pearls?"

"Brother," Brand shook a menacing finger, "it is known that you owe money. With those pearls you would pay the price of your follies."

"How do you know that I owe money?" asked Johnson, pale to the lips.

"Your handmaiden found a letter swept aside. It was from a tailor, requesting from you payment of eighty pounds due to him. What have you to do with the vanity of dyed garments from Bozrah?"

"My private affairs are my own, Mr. Brand," cried Johnson, with spirit. "I allow no man to discuss them in my presence."

"Brother, brother, your feet go downwards to the pit. A wastrel, a lover of vanities, how can you be the pastor of our Bethesda? Take heed lest you stumble, for soon the eyes of all shall be open to your 

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