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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8abe6a6 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #55606 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/55606) diff --git a/old/55606-8.txt b/old/55606-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index f7d588a..0000000 --- a/old/55606-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10612 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mandarin's Fan, by Fergus Hume - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Mandarin's Fan - -Author: Fergus Hume - -Release Date: September 22, 2017 [EBook #55606] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MANDARIN'S FAN *** - - - - -Produced by Charles Bowen from page scans provided by the -Internet Archive (University of California Libraries) - - - - - - - - - - -Transcriber's Notes: - 1. Page scan source: Internet Archive - https://archive.org/details/mandarinsfan00hume - (University of California Libraries) - - - - - - -[Illustration: Front Cover] - - - - - - -POPULAR NOVELS BY FERGUS HUME - -Author of "The Mystery of a Hansom Cab," etc. - -============================ -In Crown 8vo. pictorial cloth. Price 6s. each. - -THE RED WINDOW -Second Impression - -"For a skilfully conceived plot, succession of stirring -incidents and series of surprises, not one of Mr. Fergus Hume's -books is surpassed by 'The Red Window.' ... Is the best book of -the kind issued this season."--_Newcastle Daily Journal_. - - -THE YELLOW HOLLY -Third Edition - -"A story of thrilling interest."--_To-Day_. - -"An exciting detective story."--_Academy_. - - -A COIN OF EDWARD VII. -Third Edition - -"A clever detective story. The book holds one spellbound to the -end."--_Yorkshire Herald_. - - -THE CRIME OF THE CRYSTAL -Third Edition - -"Mr. Fergus Hume once more shows his skill in weaving an -intricate plot which holds the reader enthralled until the -last line. If this book were judged upon its merits it should -obtain a popularity even greater than 'The Mystery of a Hansom -Cab.'"--_Court Circular_. - - -THE PAGAN'S CUP -Third Edition - - -"For the lover of mystery the author of the 'Mystery of a Hansom -Cab' has prepared a feast in his new book. The story is beyond -doubt enthralling, and will in every case be read at a -sitting."--_Glasgow Herald_. - - -THE RED-HEADED MAN -Third Edition - -"Is perhaps the best piece of work that Mr. Fergus Hume has -given us since he wrote 'The Mystery of a Hansom Cab.' The plot -is very ingenious. Devoid of suspicion of padding, brightly and -smoothly written, Mr. Fergus Hume's latest tale contains not a -single dull chapter."--_World_. - -"A highly ingenious and well-constructed tale."--_Scotsman_. - - -SHYLOCK OF THE RIVER -Fifth Edition - -"Quite the most brilliant detective story Mr. Hume has given us -since he made such a remarkable hit in 'The Mystery of a Hansom -Cab.'"--_Literary World_. - - -THE MASQUERADE MYSTERY -Third Edition - -"Is as good as, if not better than, 'The Mystery of a Hansom -Cab.' ... It is an excellent story."--_World_. - -============================ -In Crown 8vo, Cloth, 2s. 6d. Cheap Edition - -A MARRIAGE MYSTERY - -"Is ingeniously put together.... Mr. Hume's new book is good of -its kind."--_Athenĉum_. - -"The plot is very clever and well worked out."--_Vanity Fair_. - -============================================================== -London: DIGBY, LONG & Co., 18 Bouverie Street, Fleet St., E.C. - - - - - -THE -MANDARIN'S FAN - - -BY -FERGUS HUME - -AUTHOR OF -"THE MYSTERY OF A HAMSOM CAB," ETC. - - -_SECOND EDITION_ - - -LONDON -DIGBY, LONG & CO. -18 BOUVERIE STREET, FLEET STREET, E.C. -1905 - - - - - - -[Illustration: Frontispiece] - -"Well, sail in. We're ready for the play." - - - - - - - -CONTENTS - - -CHAPTER. - -I. THE ADVERTISEMENT -II. DR. FORGE -III. MISS WHARF AT HOME -IV. RUPERT'S SECRET -V. CONCERNING THE FAN -VI. BURGH'S STORY -VII. THE WARNING -VIII. THE BEGINNING OF THE BALL -XIV. THE END OF THE BALL -X. A MYSTERIOUS CASE -XI. THE CANTON ADVENTURE -XII. AT THE INQUEST -XIII. THE WILL -XIV. A MYSTERIOUS LETTER -XV. THE ROTHERHITHE DEN -XVI. THE FAN MYSTERY -XVII. A DISAPPEARANCE -XVIII. A SURPRISE -XIX. A VISITOR -XX. THE MANDARIN EXPLAINS -XXI. WHO IS GUILTY? -XXII. AFTER EVENTS -XXIII. THE CHASE -XXIV. THE FULFILLED PROPHECY - - - - - -THE MANDARIN'S FAN - - - - -THE MANDARIN'S FAN - - - -CHAPTER I -The Advertisement - - -One July evening in the first year of the present century, two -gentlemen were seated on the terrace of the mansion, known as -Royabay. A small rose-wood table was placed between the deep -arm-chairs, and thereon appeared wine, coffee, and a box of -cigars. The young host smoked a briar and sipped coffee, but his -guest, very wisely, devoted himself to superlative port and a -fragrant cigar. Major Tidman was a battered old soldier of -fortune, who appreciated good quarters and made the most of -civilised luxuries, when other people paid for them. He had done -full justice to a dinner admirably cooked and served, while -Ainsleigh, the master of the feast had merely trifled with his -food. Now, the wary Tidman gave himself up to the perfect -enjoyment of wine, cigar and the quiet evening, while his host -restlessly changed his position a dozen times in ten minutes and -gloomed misanthropically at the beautiful surroundings. - -And these were very beautiful. From the moss-grown terrace -shallow steps descended to smooth lawns and rainbow-hued -flower-beds, and solemn pines girdled the open space, wherein -the house was set. And under the radiance of a saffron coloured -sky, stood the house, grey with centuries of wind and weather, -bleaching sun and drenching rains. With its Tudor battlements, -casements, diamond-paned and low oriel windows, half obliterated -escutcheons; its drapery of green ivy, and heavy iron-clamped -doors, it looked venerable, picturesque and peaceful. Tennyson -sang in the Palace of Art of just such a quiet "English home the -haunt of ancient peace." - -On the left, the circle of trees receded to reveal the majestic -ruins of an abbey, which had supplied the stones used to -construct the mansion. Built by the weak but pious Henry III., -the Norman-French name Boyabbaye (King's Abbey) still designated -the house of the courtier who had obtained the monastery from -another Henry, less pious, and more prone to destroy than to -build. The country folk had corrupted the name to Royabay, and -its significance was almost lost. But the owner of this fair -domain knew its meaning, and loved the ancient place, which had -been in the Ainsleigh family for over three hundred years. And -he loved it the more, as there was a possibility of its passing -away from him altogether. - -Rupert was the last of the old line, poor in relations, and -poorer still in money. Till the reign of George the first the -Ainsleighs had been rich and famous: but from the time of the -Hanovarian advent their fortunes declined. Charles Ainsleigh had -thrown in his lot with the unlucky Stewarts, and paid for his -loyalty so largely as to cripple those who succeeded him. -Augustus, the Regency buck, wasted still further the diminished -property he inherited, and a Victorian Ainsleigh proved to be -just such another spendthrift. Followed this wastrel, Gilbert -more thrifty, who strove, but vainly, to restore the waning -fortunes of his race. His son Markham, endeavouring to acquire -wealth for the same purpose, went to the far East. But he died -in China,--murdered according to family tradition,--and on -hearing the news, his widow sickened and died, leaving an only -child to battle with the ancestral curse. For a curse there was, -as dire as that which over-shadowed the House of Atreus, and the -superstitious believed,--and with much reason,--that young -Rupert as one of the Ainsleighs, had to bear the burden of the -terrible anathema. - -Major Tidman knew all these things very well, but being modern -and sceptical and grossly material, he discredited such occult -influence. Expressing his scornful surprise, that Rupert should -trouble his head about such fantasies, he delivered his opinion -in the loud free dictatorial speech, which was characteristic of -the bluff soldier. "Bunkum," said the Major sipping his wine -with relish, "because an old monk driven to his last fortifications, -curses those who burnt him, you believe that his jabber has an -effect on the Ainsleighs." - -"They have been very unlucky since," said Rupert gloomily. - -"Not a bit of it--not a bit. The curse of Abbot Raoul, didn't -begin to work,--if work it did, which I for one don't believe,--until -many a long day after this place came to your family. I was born in -this neighbourhood sixty and more years ago," added the Major, "and I -know the history of your family. The Ainsleighs were lucky enough till -Anne's reign." - -"Till the first George's reign," corrected the young man, "so -far as money goes, that is. But not one of them died in his -bed." - -"Plenty have died in their beds since." - -"But have lost all their money," retorted Rupert. - -"It's better to lose money than life," said Tidman evasively. - -"I'm not so certain of that Major. But you should talk with Mrs. -Pettley about Abbot Raoul's curse. She believes in it." - -"And you Ainsleigh?" - -Rupert shrugged his shoulders. "We certainly seem to be most -unlucky," said he, declining to commit himself to an opinion. - -"Want of brains," snapped the Major, who was one of those men -who have a reason for everything, "your people wasted their -money, and refused to soil their hands with trade. Such -pig-headedness brings about misfortune, without the aid of a -silly old fool's curse." - -"I don't think Abbot Raoul was a fool," protested the host -mildly, "on the contrary, he is said to have been a learned and -clever man. Aymas Ainsleigh, received the abbey from Henry -VIII., and burnt Abbot Raoul in his own cloisters," he nodded -towards the ruins, "you can see the blackened square of grass -yonder, as a proof of the curse. Herbage will not grow there, -and never will, till the curse be lifted." - -"Huh," said the Major with supreme contempt, "any chance of -that?" - -Rupert smiled. "A chance that will never occur I fear. The -curse, or prophecy, or whatever you like to call it----" - -"I call it rubbish," interpolated the sceptic. - -"Well doubting Thomas, it runs like this,--rude enough verse as -you will see, but you can't expect a doomed man to be particular -as to literary style," and Rupert recited slowly:-- - - - "My curse from the tyrants will never depart, - For a sword in the hands of the angel flashes: - Till Ainsleigh, poor, weds the poor maid of his heart, - And gold be brought forth from the holy ashes." - - -"I spare you the ancient pronunciation Major." Tidman filled -another glass with wine, and laughed scornfully. "I expect the -old monk made up the second line to rhyme with ashes," he said -expanding his broad chest. "I've heard that rubbishy poetry -before. But haven't the Ainsleighs always married poor girls?" - -"Some did, but then they had money. It must be a poor Ainsleigh -to wed a poor girl to fulfil the third line. My father and -grandfather were both poor, but they married rich brides." - -"And what became of the cash?" - -"It went--I don't know how--but it went." - -"Gold turns to dry leaves in the hands of fools," said Tidman -sagely, "there's some sense in the old fairy tales. But the -fourth line? how can you get gold from ashes?" - -Young Ainsleigh rose and began to pace the terrace. "I'm sure I -don't know," he said, "that's the curse. If I marry Miss Rayner, -I certainly fulfil the third line. She is poor and I am a -pauper. Perhaps when the enigma of the third line is solved by -such a marriage the fourth line will be made clear." - -"I shouldn't hang on to that poetry if I were you, Ainsleigh. -Let some one else solve the third line, and the fourth also if -he likes. My advice to you is to marry a dollar heiress." - -Rupert looked savage. "I love Miss Rayner, and I marry her, or -no one." - -Tidman selected another cigar carefully. "I think you are -wrong," said he decisively, "you have only a small income it's -true, but you have this grand old place, a fine old name, and -you ain't bad-looking. I guess Miss Jonathan of N'Yr'k would -just jump at you." - -"I love Olivia Rayner," repeated Ainsleigh doggedly. - -"But the obstacles my dear Don Quixote," argued the Major -lighting the cigar, "you are poor and she, at the most, will -inherit only a few hundreds a year from that aunt of hers. And -that mass of granite Miss Wharf, don't like you, nor does her -companion, the Pewsey cat." - -"Why do you call her a cat--the harmless creature." - -"Because she is a cat," said Tidman sturdily, "she'd scratch if -she got a chance for all her velvet paws. But she hates you as -old Miss Wharf does. Then there's Lady Jabe--" - -"Oh heavens," said Rupert and made a wry face. - -"You may well say that. She's a bullying Amazon of uncertain -age. But she'll do her best to catch Olivia for her nephew Chris -Walker." - -"Oh he's a nice enough fellow," said Rupert still pacing the -terrace. "I've got nothing to say against him, except that he'd -better keep out of my way. And after all Olivia would never -marry a clerk in a tea merchant's firm." - -"But he's nephew to Lady Jabe." - -"What of that. She's only the widow of a knight and hasn't a -penny to leave him. Why should she want him to marry Olivia?" - -"Because Miss Wharf will leave Olivia five hundred a year. Lady -Jabe will then live on the young couple. And see here Ainsleigh, -if you marry Olivia with that income, you won't be taking to -wife the poor girl mentioned in the curse." - -"Oh hang the curse," said Rupert crossly. - -"By all means," said Tidman serenely, "you didn't bring me here -to talk of that did you?" - -"No. I want to ask your advice?" - -"I've given it--unasked. Marry a dollar-heiress, and let old -Jabe make Olivia her niece-in-law. By doing so you will be -released from your pecuniary difficulties, and will also escape -the hatred of Miss Wharf and that Pewsey cat, who both hate -you." - -"I wonder why they do?" - -"Hum," said Tidman discreetly. He knew pretty well why Miss -Wharf hated his host, but he was too wise to speak, "something -to do with a love affair." - -"What's that got to do with me?" - -"Ask me another," replied Major Tidman vulgarly, for he was not -going to tell a fiery young man like Rupert, that Markham -Ainsleigh, Rupert's father, was mixed up in the romance, "and I -wish you would sit down," he went on irritably "you're walking -like a cat on hot bricks. What's the matter with you?" - -"What's the matter," echoed Ainsleigh returning to the -arm-chair. - -"I asked you here to tell you." - -"Wait till I have another glass. Now fire ahead." But Rupert did -not accept the invitation immediately. He looked at the lovely -scene spread out before him, and up to the sky which was now of -a pale primrose colour. There was a poetic vein in young -Ainsleigh, but troubles from his earliest childhood had -stultified it considerably. Ever since he left college had he -battled to keep the old place, but now, it seemed as if all his -trouble had been in vain. He explained his circumstances to the -Major, and that astute warrior listened to a long tale of -mortgages threatened to be foreclosed, of the sale of old and -valuable furniture, and of the disposal of family jewels. "But -this last mortgage will finish me," said Rupert in conclusion. -"I can't raise the money to pay it off. Miss Wharf will -foreclose, and then all the creditors will come down on me. The -deluge will come in spite of all I can do." - -Major Tidman stared. "Do you mean to say that Miss Wharf"-- - -"She holds the mortgage." - -"And she hates you," said Tidman, his eyes bulging, "huh! This -is a nice kettle of fish." - -Rupert threw himself back in the deep chair with an angry look. -He was a tall finely built young man of twenty-five, of Saxon -fairness, with clear blue eyes and a skin tanned by an out-door -life. In spite of his poverty and perhaps because of it, he was -accurately dressed by a crack London tailor, and looked -singularly handsome in his well-fitting evening suit. Pulling -his well-trimmed fair moustache, he eyed the tips of his neat, -patent leather shoes gloomily, and waited to hear what the Major -had to say. - -That warrior ruminated, and puffed himself out like the frog in -the fable. Tidman was thickset and stout, bald-headed and -plethoric. He had a long grey moustache which he tugged at -viciously, and on the whole looked a comfortable old gentleman, -peaceful enough when let alone. But his face was that of a -fighter and his grey eyes were hot and angry. All over the world -had the Major fought, and his rank had been gained in South -America. With enough to live on, he had returned to the cot -where he was born, and was passing his declining days very, -pleasantly. Having known Rupert for many years and Rupert's -father before him, he usually gave his advice when it was asked -for, and knew more about the young man's affairs than anyone -else did. But the extent of the ruin, as revealed by the late -explanation, amazed him. "What's to be done?" he asked. - -"That's what I wish you to suggest," said Rupert grimly, "things -are coming to a climax, and perhaps when the last Ainsleigh is -driven from home, Abbot Raoul will rest quiet in his grave. His -ghost walks you know. Ask Mrs. Pettley. She's seen it, or him." - -"Stuff-stuff-stuff," grumbled the Major staring, "let the ghost -and the curse and all that rubbish alone. What's to be done?" - -"Well," said the young man meditatively, "either I must sell up, -and clear out to seek my fortune, leaving Olivia to marry young -Walker, or--" - -"Or what?" asked Tidman seeing Rupert hesitating. - -For answer Ainsleigh took a pocket-book from the lower ledge of -the table and produced therefrom a slip of printed paper. - -"I cut that out of 'The Daily Telegraph,'" said he handing it to -the Major, "what do you make of it?" - -Tidman mounted a gold pince-nez and read aloud, as follows:-- - -"The jade fan of Mandarin Lo-Keong, with the four and half beads -and the yellow cord. Wealth and long life to the holder, who -gives it to Hwei, but death and the doom of the god Kwang-ho to -that one who refuses. Address Kan-su at the Joss-house of the -Five Thousand Blessings, 43 Perry Street, Whitechapel." - -"A mixture of the Far East and the Near West, isn't it?" asked -Rupert, when the Major laid down the slip and stared. - -"Lo-Keong," said Tidman searching his memory, "wasn't that the -man your father knew?" - -"The same. That is why I cut out the slip, and why I asked you -to see me. You remember my father's expedition to China?" - -"Of course. He went there twenty years ago when you were five -years of age. I was home at the time--it was just before I went -to fight in that Janjalla Republic war in South America. I -wanted your father to come with me and see if he couldn't make -money: but he was bent on China." - -"Well," said Rupert, "I understood he knew of a gold-mine -there." - -"Yes, on the Hwei River," Major Tidman snatched the slip of print and -read the lines again, "and here's the name, Hwei--that's strange." - -"But what's stranger still," said Rupert, bending forward "is, -that I looked up some papers of my father and learn that the -Hwei River is in the Kan-su province." - -"Address Kan-su," murmured Tidman staring harder than ever. -"Yes. It seems as though this had something to do with your -father." - -"It _must_ have something to do with him," insisted Rupert, "my -father found that gold-mine near the Hwei River in the Kan-su -province, and Lo-Keong was the Boxer leader who protected my -father from the enmity of the Chinese. I believe he sent my -father's papers to England--at least so Dr. Forge says." - -"Forge," cried Tidman rising, "quite so. He was with your -father. Why not see him, and ask questions." - -"I'll do so. Perhaps he may tell me something about this fan." - -"What if he does?" - -"I might find it." - -"And if you do?" asked the Major, his eyes protruding. - -Rupert sprang to his feet and took up the slip. "Wealth and long -life to the holder who gives it to Hwei," he read: then replaced -the slip in his pocket-book, "why shouldn't I find that fan and -get enough money to pay off Miss Wharf and others and keep -Royabay." - -"But it's such a mad idea?" - -"I don't see it. If it hadn't to do with my father it would be," -said Ainsleigh lighting his pipe, "but my father knew Lo-Keong, -and by the names Hwei and Kan-su, it seems as though the -locality of the gold-mine had something to do with the matter. -I'll see old Forge and try to find this fan." - -"Oh," said Tidman, a light breaking on him, "you think Lo-Keong -may have given the fan to your father?" - -"Yes, and Forge may know what luggage and papers were sent home, -at the time my father died--" - -"Was murdered you mean." - -"We can't be sure of that," said Rupert his face flushing, "but -I'll find that out, and get hold of the fan also. It's my chance -to make money, and I believe Providence has opened this way to -me." - - - - -CHAPTER II -Dr. Forge - - -Royabay was distant five miles from Marport, a rising watering -place on the Essex coast. In fact so large was the town, and so -many the visitors, that it might be said to be quite risen, -though the inhabitants insisted that it had not yet attained the -height it yet would reach. But be this as it may, Marport was -popular and fashionable, and many retired gentlepeople lived in -spacious houses along the cliffs and in the suburbs. The ancient -town, which lay in a hollow, was left to holiday trippers, and -these came in shoals during the summer months. There was the -usual pier, the Kursaal, the theatre, many bathing machines and -many boarding houses--in fact the usual sort of things which go -to make up a popular watering-place. And the town had been in -existence--the new part at all events--for only fifteen years. -Like Jonah's gourd it had sprung up in a night: but it certainly -showed no signs of withering. In fact its attractions increased -yearly. - -Major Tidman was a wise man, and had not travelled over the -world with his eyes shut. He had seen colonial towns spring up -and fade away, and knew how the value of land increases. Thus, -when he returned to his own country with a certain sum of money, -he expended the same in buying land, and in building thereon. -This policy produced a lot of money, with which the Major bought -more land and more houses. Now, he possessed an avenue of -desirable villa residences in the suburbs which brought him in a -good income, and which, by reason of their situation, were never -empty. The Major did not live here himself. He was a bachelor -and fond of company: therefore he took up his quarters in the -Bristol Hotel, the most fashionable in Marport. As he had shares -in the company which built it, he managed to obtain his rooms at -a comparatively moderate rate. Here he lived all the year round, -save when he took a trip to the Continent, and, as the Bristol -was always full of people, the Major did not lack company. As he -was a good-humoured little man, with plenty of small talk and a -fund of out-of-the-way information, he soon became immensely -popular. In this way the crafty Major had all the comforts of -home and the delights of society without bearing the burden -of an establishment of his own. His sole attendant was a -weather-beaten one-eyed man, who acted as his valet, and who -knew how to hold his tongue. - -Sometimes the Major would walk up town and inspect his property -with great pride. It was balm to his proud heart to walk up and -down the spacious avenue, and survey the red brick villas -smiling amidst trim gardens. Tidman's birth was humble,--his -father had been a small tenant farmer of the Ainsleighs,--and he -had started life without even the proverbial shilling. For many -years he was absent from his native land, and returned to find -fortune waiting for him on the door step. To be sure he brought -a nest-egg home with him. Nevertheless, but for his astuteness -in buying land and in building he would not have acquired -such a good income. So the Major had some cause for self -congratulation, when he paced up and down Tidman's Avenue. - -Two days after his dinner with Rupert Ainsleigh, the Major spick -and span as usual,--he always looked as though he had stepped -out of a bandbox,--was strutting up the Avenue. Half way along -he came face to face with a withered little woman, who looked -like the bad fairy of the old nursery tales. She wore a poke -bonnet, a black dress and, strange to say, a scarlet shawl. Her -age might have been about fifty-five, but she looked even older. -With her dress picked up, and holding a flower in her hand, she -came mincing along smiling at the world with a puckered face and -out of a pair of very black and brilliant eyes. She looked a -quaint old-fashioned gentlewoman of the sort likely to possess a -good income, for it seemed that no pauper would have dared to -dress in so shabby and old-fashioned a manner. Consequently it -was strange that the gallant Major should have showed a -disposition to turn tail when he set eyes on her. She might -indeed have been the veritable witch she looked, so pale turned -Major Tidman's ruddy face. But the old dame was not going to let -him escape in this way. - -"Oh good morning," she said in a sharp voice like a saw, "how -well you are looking dear Major Tidman--really so very well. I -never saw you look younger. The rose in your button-hole is not -more blooming. How do you keep your youth so? I remember you"-- - -But the Major cut her short. He had enough of flattering words -which he guessed she did not mean, and didn't want her to -remember anything, for he knew her memory extended disagreeably -to the time when he had been a poor and humble nobody. "I'm in a -hurry Miss Pewsey," he said twirling his stick, "good-morning -ma'am--morning." - -"If you're going to see Dr. Forge," said Miss Pewsey, her black -eyes glittering like jet. "I've just come from his house. He is -engaged." - -"I can wait I suppose, Miss Pewsey," said Tidman bristling, -"that is, supposing I am calling on the doctor." - -"Then you really are: not on account of your health I'm sure. I -do hope you aren't ill, dear Major. We all look forward to you -shining at the ball, which is to take place at the Hotel -Bristol." - -"I may be there, Miss Pewsey. I may be there,--in fact," the -Major flourished his stick again, "I am one of the stewards." - -Miss Pewsey clapped together a pair of small claws encased in -shabby cotton gloves. "There," she cried in a shriller voice -than ever, "I knew it. I said so to my Sophia. Of course you -know I always call dear Miss Wharf my Sophia; we have been -friends for years--oh yes, for years. We grew on one stem and--" - -"You'll excuse me, ma'am--" - -"Oh yes--I know you are so busy. But I was saying, that you can -give me a ticket for my nephew, Mr. Burgh--" - -"The tickets are for sale at the hotel," said Tidman gruffly. - -"Yes, but my poor nephew is poor. He also has come from foreign -parts Major as you did, and just as poor. You must give him a -ticket--oh really you must." Miss Pewsey spoke with an emphasis -on every other word, and between her teeth as though she was -trying to prevent the speech escaping too rapidly. "Now, Major," -she coaxed. - -"I'll see, ma'am--I'll see." - -"Oh. I knew you would." She clasped her hands again, "come -and see my Sophia--dear Miss Wharf, and then you can give -Clarence--that's my nephew's name, sweet isn't it?--you can give -him the ticket. But don't bring _him_," added Miss Pewsey -jerking her old head backward in the direction of Dr. Forge's -residence, "he's there." - -"Who is there, ma'am?" demanded the Major with a start. - -"Why that horrid Mr. Ainsleigh and--" - -Miss Pewsey got no further. The Major uttered something naughty -under his breath, and taking off his hat with a flourish, bowed -his way along the road, pursued by the shrill injunctions of the -lady not to forget the ticket. - -Tidman walked more rapidly and less jauntily than usual, and -stopped at Dr. Forge's gate to wipe his red face, which had now -assumed its normal colour. - -"By George," said the old soldier, "that woman will marry me, if -I don't take care. She ain't safe--she shouldn't be allowed out. -Pewsey--a cat--a cat--I always said so. Lavinia Pewsey cat, to -Benjamin Tidman gentleman. Not if I know it--ugh--ugh," and he -walked up the steps to ring the bell. While waiting, his -thoughts went from Miss Pewsey to Rupert. "I thought he had gone -to town about that fan business," said the Major fretting, -"what's he doing calling on Forge without telling me," and -Tidman seemed very much annoyed that Rupert should have taken -such a liberty. - -True enough, he found young Ainsleigh sitting with Dr. Forge. -The doctor was a tall lean man with sad eyes, and a stiff -manner. He was dressed in a loose white flannel suit, in a most -unprofessional way. But everyone knew that Forge had money and -did not practise, save when the fancy took him. With his -watchful grey eyes and sad face and lantern jaws, Forge was not -a prepossessing object or a medical attendant to be desired. -Also his hands had a claw-like look, which, added to his thin -hooked nose, made him look like a hawk. He spoke very little -though, and what he did say was to the point: but he was not -popular like the Major. A greater contrast than this mummy and -handsome young Ainsleigh, can scarcely be imagined. - -The Major came puffing into the room and looked around. It was a -small apartment furnished with Chinese curiosities. Rice-paper -painted in the conventional Chinese fashion adorned the walls: a -many-tasseled lantern gay with colour, dangled from the roof, -and in each corner of the room a fat mandarin squatted on a -pedestal. The furniture was of bamboo, and straw matting covered -the floor. A bookcase filled with medical volumes looked -somewhat out of place in this eastern room, as did the doctor's -writing table, a large one covered with papers and books, and -strange looking Chinese scrips. The room was as queer as its -owner, and the atmosphere had that indescribable eastern smell, -which the Major remembered to have sniffed up at Canton under -disagreeable circumstances. Perhaps it was the revival of an -unpleasant memory that made him sit down so suddenly, or it -might have been the cold grey stony eyes of Forge. - -"Well Major," said Rupert who looked handsome and gay in -flannels, and who seemed to have lost his melancholy looks, "who -would have thought of seeing you here?" - -"I came to ask Forge to keep the exterior of his house a little -more tidy," said the Major with dignity, "the steps have not -been cleaned this morning, and there is straw in the garden, -while the shrubs and flowers are dying for want of water." - -Forge shrugged his thin shoulders, and nodded towards some -egg-shell china cups and a quaint looking tea-pot. But he did -not speak. - -"No," replied the Major to the silent invitation. "I never drink -tea in the afternoon--" - -"Or at any time," said Forge in a melancholy way. "I know you of -old. Ainsleigh, take another cup." - -"Not in the Chinese fashion," said Rupert smiling, "you drink it -too hot for my taste and I like milk and sugar. But now I've -told you about the fan, I'll leave you to chat with Tidman." - -"The fan," said Tidman sitting up as straight as his stoutness -would let him, "ah yes--I forgot about that. Well?" - -"Well," echoed Rupert lighting a cigarette, "I called at the -joss house in Perry Street Whitechapel, and a nice sort of den -it is. A Chinaman, heard my explanation about my father's -connection with Lo-Keong, and then told me that the fan had been -stolen from that gentleman, who is now a Mandarin." - -"Lo-Keong was well on the way to the highest post when I saw him -last," said Forge preparing a roll of tobacco, "he was much in -favour at the court." - -"But I thought he was a Boxer," said Tidman, "and surely----" - -"Oh he gave up the Boxers, and curried favour with the Dowager -Empress. That was seven years ago, when I was last in China. I -met you there Tidman." - -Again the disagreeable recollection of Canton crossed the -Major's memory, and he nodded. "What about the fan?" he asked -Rupert again. - -"It's of great value," said Ainsleigh, "at least this Chinaman -told me so. Lo-Keong is now a Mandarin, and is high in favour -with the Dowager Empress--" - -"And consequently is hated by the Emperor," murmured Forge. - -"I don't know, doctor, I'm not up in Chinese politics. However, -the fan was lost by Lo-Keong some years ago, and being a sacred -fan, he wants it back. This Chinaman Tung-Yu--" - -"Oh," said the Major, "then you didn't see Hwei or Kan-su?" - -"Those are names of a river and a province," said the doctor. - -"I know," snapped Tidman, "but they were in the advertisement." - -"Tung-yu explained that they were used only for the purpose of -advertisement," said Rupert, "but to make a long story short, I -told him that I had seen the fan--" - -"You saw the fan," asked Tidman directing a side look at Forge. - -"A dream--a dream," said the doctor. - -"No," insisted the young man. "I feel sure I have seen that fan, -I can't think where. Perhaps it is amongst my father's effects -sent from China by Lo-Keong years ago----" - -"Twenty years ago," said Dr. Forge, "and Lo-Keong would hardly -send his own fan. I remember the things coming. I came home -immediately before. A Chinaman brought your father's papers and -luggage to Royabay. He left them with your mother and went -away." - -"Were you not with my father when he died?" asked Rupert, "I -always understood you were." - -"No. I was at Pekin at the time. Your father and I were working -the mine together, and I went about some imperial concessions. -While there I heard that your father was dead." - -"Was he murdered?" asked Rupert earnestly. - -"I really can't say, Lo-Keong said that he died of dysentery, -but he was always a liar. He wouldn't be so high in favour with -the Court if he wasn't. Lying is a fine art in the Far East, -and--" - -"Yes--Yes," said Tidman impatiently, "but what has all this to -do with the fan?" - -"I think it's all of a piece myself," said Rupert, "and I intend -to get to the bottom of it. I have seen that fan somewhere--but -I can't think--I can't," he reflected and shook his head, "no. -But I have seen it doctor, so its no use your shrugging your -shoulders. I want to find it and get that five thousand pounds." - -"What?" cried the Major leaping up on his stout little legs. - -"Lo-Keong is willing to give five thousand pounds for the return -of his fan," said Ainsleigh, who had walked to the door, "and I -intend to earn it." - -"Against my advice," said Forge looking up oddly. - -Rupert laughed. "Oh you are afraid," he said smiling. - -"Of you, not of myself. I know what the Chinese are, and have -studied the race for years. I know how to deal with them; but -you will get into trouble if you meddle with this fan business." - -"And so I say," cried Tidman emphatically. - -"Why, what do you know of the Chinese, Major?" asked Rupert. - -"More than I like to think of," said the little man wiping his -bald head. "I went out to China for a trip seven years ago and -met with an adventure in Canton--ugh!" - -"What sort of an adventure?" - -"Ugh!" grunted the Major again, "don't talk about it. It makes -me cold to think of it. The Chinese are demons. Forge got me out -of the trouble and I left China never to set foot in it again I -hope. Ainsleigh, if you want that curse of yours to be realised, -meddle with the fan. But if you want to keep your life and your -skin, leave the matter alone." - -"I'm going to get that five thousand pounds," said Rupert, -obstinately, "as soon as I can recollect where I saw that fan. -The memory will come back to me. I am sure it will. Doctor you -won't help me." - -"No," said Forge decisively. "I advise you to leave the matter -alone." - -"In that case I must search it out myself. Good-day," and -Ainsleigh strolled out of the room, light-heartedly enough, as -he whistled a gay tune. Major Tidman looked grimly at the closed -door, and then still more grimly at the doctor, who was paring -his nails. - -"Our young friend is ambitious," he said. - -Forge laughed gently. "You can hardly blame him. He wants to -marry Miss Rayner and save his ancestral home, so I am quite -sure he will search for the fan." - -"He won't find it then," said the Major petulantly. - -"Won't he?" questioned Forge sweetly, "well, perhaps not. By the -way you want to see me Major. Mrs. Bressy tells me you called at -least twice yesterday." - -"Yes. She didn't know when you would be back." - -"I never tell her. I like to take the old lady unawares. She is -a Dickens' character, with a fondness for drink, and for taking -things which don't belong to her. I always go away and come back -unexpectedly. Yesterday I was in Paris. Now I am at Marport. -Well?" - -The Major had contained himself with difficulty all this time, -and had grown very red in the face. The colour changed to a -lively purple, as he burst out. "See here Forge what's the use -of talking to me in this way. You have that fan." - -"Have I," said Forge smiling gently. - -"Yes. You know well enough that the very fan--the jade fan with -the five beads, was the cause of my getting into trouble in -Canton. You got me out of the trouble and you asked me to give -you the fan, when I thanked you." - -"And you refused," said Forge still smiling. - -"Well I did at first," said Tidman sulkily. "I risked my life -over the beastly thing, and--" - -Forge raised a thin hand. "Spare yourself the recital. I know." - -"Well then," went on Tidman excitedly. "You asked again for it -when you came home, and I gave it to you. Ainsleigh is quite -right. He _did_ see the fan. I showed it to him one day before -you arrived. I see he has forgotten, but any stray thought may -revive his memory. I don't want him to have the fan." - -"Why not?" asked Forge shutting his knife with a click. - -"Because I want the five thousand pounds for myself. I'm not so -well off as people think, and I want"-- - -"You forget," said Forge gently, "you gave me the fan." - -"And have you got it?" - -"I have," he nodded towards a cabinet of Chinese work adorned -with quaint figures, "it's in there." - -"Give it to me back." - -"No. I think I'll keep it." - -"What do you want to do with it?" asked Tidman angrily. - -Forge rose and looked stern, "I want to keep it from Lo-Keong," -he said savagely, "there's some secret connected with that fan. -I can't understand what the secret is or what the fan has to do -with it: but it means life and death to this Mandarin. He'd give -ten thousand,--twenty thousand to get that fan back. But he -shan't." - -"Oh," groaned the Major, "why did I give it to you. To think -that such a lot of money should go begging. If I had only known -what the fan was worth." - -"You knew nothing about it save as a curiosity." - -"How do you know," demanded the Major. - -Forge who had turned towards the cabinet wheeled round and -looked more like a hawk than ever as he pounced on the stout -man. "What do _you_ know?" and he clawed Tidman's plump -shoulders. - -"Let me go confound you," blustered the Major, "what do you mean -by assaulting a gentleman"-- - -"A gentleman." Forge suddenly released the Major and laughed -softly, "does Benjamin Tidman, old Farmer Tidman's son call -himself so. Why I remember you--" - -"Yes I know you do, and so does that infernal Pewsey cat." - -Forge suddenly became attentive. "Miss Pewsey if you please. She -is my friend. I may--" Forge halted and swallowed something. "I -may even marry her some day." - -"What," shouted Tidman backing to the wall, "that old--old--" - -"Gently my good Benjamin, gently." - -"But--but you're not a marrying man." - -"We never know what we are till we die," said Forge turning -again towards the black cabinet, "but you needn't mention what I -have said. If you do," Forge snarled like an angry cat and shot -one glance from his gray eyes that made Tidman shiver: then he -resumed his gentle tone. "About this fan. I'll make a bargain -with you." - -"What's that?" asked the Major avariciously. - -"I'll show you the fan, and if you can guess it's secret, I'll -let you give it to this Tung-yu or Hwei or Kan-su or whatever he -likes to call himself." - -"But you don't want Lo-Keong to have the fan," said the Major -doubtfully. - -Forge opened the cabinet slowly. "So long as I learn the -secret he can have the fan. I want to ruin him. He's a devil -and--ah--" he started back. "The fan--the fan--" - -"What is it?" asked Tidman, craning over Forge's shoulder at an -empty drawer, "where is the fan?" - -"Lost," cried Forge furiously, and looked like a dangerous grey -rat. - -"Five thousand pounds gone," moaned the Major. - -"My life you fool--my life," cried the doctor, "it is at stake." - - - - -CHAPTER III -Miss Wharf at Home - - -The best houses in Marport were situated on the Cliffs. They -stood a considerable way back and had small plots of ground -before them cultivated or not, according to the taste of those -who owned them. Some of these gardens were brilliant with -flowers, others had nothing but shrubs in them, presenting -rather a sombre appearance, and a few were bare sun-burnt grass -plots, with no adornment whatsoever. A broad road divided the -gardens from the grassy undulations of the cliffs, and along -this thoroughfare, rolled carriages, bicycles, and motor-cars -all day during the season. Then came the grass on the cliff-tops -which stretched for a long distance, and which was dotted with -shelters for nervous invalids. At one end there was a round -band-stand where red-coated musicians played lively airs from the -latest musical comedy. Round the stand were rows of chairs hired -out at twopence an afternoon, and indeed, all over the lawns, -seats of various kinds were scattered. At the end of the grass, -the cliffs sloped gradually and were intersected with winding -paths, which led downward to the asphalt Esplanade which ran -along the water's edge, when the tide was high, and beside -evil-smelling mud when the tide was out. And on what was known -as the beach--a somewhat gritty strand,--were many bathing -machines. Such was the general appearance of Marport which the -Essex people looked on as a kind of Brighton, only much better. - -Miss Sophia Wharf owned a cosy little house at the far end of -the cliffs, and just at the point where Marport begins to melt -into the country. It was a modern house comfortably furnished -and brilliant with electric lights. The garden in front of it -was well taken care of, there were scarlet and white shades to -the windows and flower boxes filled with blossoms on the sills. -Everyone who passed remarked on the beauty of the house, and -Miss Wharf was always pleased when she heard them envy her -possessions. She liked to possess a Naboth's Vineyard of her -own, and appreciated it the more, when others would have liked -to take it. She had an income of one thousand a year and -therefore could live very comfortably. The house (Ivy Lodge was -it's highly original name) was her own, bought in the days when -Marport was nothing but a fishing village. She knew everyone in -the neighbourhood, was a staunch friend to the vicar who was -high church and quite after her own heart in the use of banners, -incense, candles and side-altars, and on the whole was one of -the leading ladies of the place. She had the reputation of being -charitable, but this was owing to Miss Pewsey who constantly -trumpeted the bestowal of any stray shilling being by her -patroness. - -Miss Wharf was a lady of good family, but had quarrelled with -her relatives. She was a tall, cold, blonde woman who had once -been handsome and still retained a certain portion of good -looks, in spite of her forty and more years. She lived with her -niece Olivia the child of a sister long since dead, and with -Miss Pewsey, to whom she gave a home as a companion. But Miss -Wharf well knew, that Lavinia Pewsey was worth her weight in -gold owing to the way she praised up her good, kind, devoted, -loving, sweet, friend. The adjectives are Miss Pewsey's own, but -some people said that Sophia Wharf did not deserve to have them -attached to her. The lady had her enemies, and these openly -declared, as the Major had done, that she was a mass of granite. -Other people, less prejudiced, urged that Miss Wharf looked -after Olivia, who was a penniless orphan. To which the grumblers -retorted that Miss Wharf liked someone to vent her temper on, -and that the poor girl, being too pretty, did duty as a whipping -boy. This was possibly true, for Olivia and her aunt did not get -on well together. In her own way the girl looked as cold as Miss -Wharf, but this coldness was merely a mask to hide a warm and -loving nature, while Miss Wharf was an ice-berg through and -through. However, on the whole, Sophia Wharf was well liked, and -took care to make the most of her looks and her moderate income -and her reputation as a charitable lady. And Miss Pewsey was the -show-woman who displayed her patroness's points to their best -advantage. - -The drawing-room of Ivy Lodge was a flimsy, pretty, feminine, -room, furnished in a gim-crack fashion, of the high art style. -The floor was waxed, and covered with Persian praying mats, the -chairs were gilt and had spindle legs the settee was Empire, the -piano was encased in green wood and adorned with much brass, the -sofa was Louis Quinze and covered with brocade, and there were -many tables of rose-wood, dainty and light, heaped high with -useless nick-knacks. - -The walls of pale green were adorned with water-colour pictures, -and many mirrors draped with Liberty silk. Everywhere were large -bowls of flowers, miniatures of Miss Wharf at various times of -her life, curiosities from China and Japan and the near East, -and all sorts of odds and ends which Miss Wharf had collected on -her travels. Not that she had been to the East, for the -evidences of civilisation in those lands came from Dr. Forge and -Major Tidman, but Miss Wharf had explored Germany, Switzerland -and Italy and consequently had brought home cuckoo-clocks, -quaint carvings, pictures of the Madonna, Etruscan idols and -such like things with which every tourist loads himself or -herself. The result was, that the drawing-room looked like a -curiosity shop, but it was considered to be one of the prettiest -drawing-rooms in Essex. - -Miss Wharf looked too large and too substantial for the frail -furniture of the room. She had a double chin and was certainly -very stout. Very wisely she had a special arm-chair placed in -the window--from which she could see all that was going on,--and -here she sat working most of the day. She was great on doing -fancy articles for bazaars, and silk ties for such gentlemen as -she admired, for Miss Wharf, old maid as she was, liked male -society. The Major was her great admirer, so was young Walker, -Lady Jabe's nephew. Sophia was not very sure of this last gentleman, as -she shrewdly suspected--prompted by Miss Pewsey--that he admired Olivia. -Rupert also admired Olivia and wanted to marry her, a proceeding which -Miss Wharf objected to. Miss Pewsey supported her in this, for both -women were envious of the youth which had passed from them for ever. -But Miss Wharf had also another reason, which Miss Pewsey knew, but of -which Olivia was ignorant. Hitherto Sophia had kept it from the girl -but this afternoon in a fit of rage she let it out. The explosion did -not come at once, for Lady Jabe was in the room drinking tea, and Miss -Pewsey was flitting about, filling odd vases with flowers. Olivia sat -on the settee very straight and very cold, looking dark and handsome, -and altogether too splendid a woman for her aunt to tolerate. - -"Can't you do something?" said Miss Wharf turning her jealous -eyes on the girl. "I should think you must be tired, twiddling -your thumbs all day." - -"I'll do whatever you wish me to do," said Olivia coldly. - -"Then help Lavinia with the flowers." - -Olivia rose to do so, but Miss Pewsey refused her assistance in -a shrill speech spoken as usual between her teeth and with an -emphasis on every other word. - -"Oh no dear, dear, Sophia," cried Miss Pewsey, "I have just -finished, and I may say that my eye for colour is better than -Olivia's--you don't mind my saying so, darling," she added to -the girl. - -"Not at all," replied Miss Rayner who detested the sycophant. "I -never give the matter a thought." - -"You _should_ think," said Lady Jabe joining in heavily. She was -a tall masculine-looking woman with grey hair and bushy grey -eyebrows, and with an expression of face that suggested she -should have worn a wig and sat on the bench. She dressed in -rather a manly way, and far too young for her fifty years. On -the present occasion she wore a yachting-cap, a shirt with a -stand-up, all round, collar and a neat bow; a leather belt and a -bicycling skirt of blue serge. Her boots and shoes were of -tanned brown leather, and she carried a bamboo cane instead of a -sunshade. No one could have been more gentlemanly. "You should -think," added she once more, "for instance you should think of -marriage." - -Miss Wharf drew herself up in her cold way. "I fancy that -Olivia, few brains as she has, is yet wise enough not to think -of marriage at twenty." - -"It would not be much good if I did," said Olivia calmly. "I -have no money, and young men want a rich wife." - -"Not all," said Lady Jabe, "there's Chris----" - -"Chris is out of the question," said Miss Rayner quickly. - -"And pray why is he?" asked Sophia in arms at once. She never -liked Olivia to have an opinion of her own. - -"Because I don't love him." - -"But Chris loves you," said Lady Jabe, "and really he's getting -a very good salary in that Tea-merchant's office. Chris, as you -are aware, Olivia, is foreign corresponding clerk to Kum-gum Li -& Co. He knows Chinese," finished Lady Jabe, with tremendous -emphasis. - -"Oh," Miss Pewsey threw up her claws, "how delicious to be made -love to in Chinese. I must really ask Mr. Walker what is the -Chinese for 'I love you.'" - -"Olivia prefers to hear it in English," said Miss Wharf, -spitefully. - -"Quite so, aunt," retorted her niece, her colour rising, "but -don't you think we might change the subject. It really isn't -very interesting." - -"But indeed I think it is," said Lady Jabe smartly, "I come here -to plead the cause of poor Chris. His heart is breaking. Your -aunt is willing to----" - -"But I am not," said Miss Rayner quickly, "so please let us say -no more about the matter. Mr. Walker can marry Lotty Dean." - -"But she's a grocer's daughter," said Lady Jabe, who was herself -the widow of an oil-merchant, "and remember my title." - -"Lotty isn't going to marry you, Lady Jabe." - -"Nor Chris, if I can help it," said the other grimly. - -Miss Wharf was just about to crush Olivia with a particularly -disagreeable remark, when the door opened and two gentlemen -entered. One was Christopher Walker, a slim, boyish-looking -young fellow, in that callow stage of manhood which sees beauty -in every woman. The other, who followed, was Miss Pewsey's -nephew. - -There was nothing immature about him, although he was but twenty -eight years of age. Clarence Burgh was tall, thin, dark and had -the appearance of a swashbuckler as he swaggered into the room. -His black eyes snapped with an unholy light and his speech -smacked too much of the Lands at the Back of Beyond, where he -had passed the most part of his life. He was an expert rider, -and daily rode a bucking squealing, kicking stallion up and down -the road, or took long gallops into the country to reduce the -fire of the unruly beast. Burgh was bad all through, daring, -free, bold, and had a good deal of the untamed savage about him; -but he was emphatically a man, and it was this virile atmosphere -about him, which caused his withered aunt to adore him. And indeed -Miss Wharf admired him also, as did many of the women in Marport. -Clarence looked like a buccaneer who would carry a woman off, and -knock her down if she objected to his love-making. Women like that -sort of dominating lord of the world, and accordingly Mr. Burgh had -nothing to complain of, so far as feminine admiration went, during -his sojourn in Marport. But he had set his affections on Olivia, and -hitherto she had shrunk from him. All the same, brute as he was, she -admired him more than she did effeminate Chris Walker, who smacked of -the city and of a feather-bed-four-meals-a-day existence. - -"Oh," squeaked Miss Pewsey, flying to the hero and clasping him -round the neck, "how very, very sweet of you to come." - -"Hadn't anything else to do," said Clarence gracefully, casting -himself into a chair. All his movements were graceful like those -of a panther. "How are you Miss Wharf--Miss Rayner--Lady Jabe. I -guess you all look like a garden of spring flowers this day." - -"But flowers we may not pluck," sighed Chris prettily. - -Burgh looked at him with contempt. "I reckon a man can pick what -he has a mind to," said he drily, and then shifted his gaze to -see how Olivia took this speech. To his secret annoyance, she -did not let on, she heard him. - -"Will you have some tea, Mr. Burgh," asked Miss Wharf. - -"Thanks. It seems to be the sort of thing one must drink here." - -"You drank it in China didn't you?" asked Lady Jabe. - -Burgh turned quickly. "Who told you I had been in China?" he -asked. - -"My nephew Chris. He heard you talking Chinese to someone." - -The dark young man looked distinctly annoyed. "When was that?" -he asked Chris. - -"Two weeks ago," replied the other, "you were standing at the -corner of the Mansion House talking to a Chinaman. I only caught -a word or two in passing." - -"And I guess you didn't understand," said Clarence derisively. - -"There you are wrong. I am in a Chinese firm, and know the -language. As a matter of fact I write their foreign letters for -them." - -"The deuce you do," murmured Burgh looking rather disturbed; but -he said no more on the subject, and merely enquired if the -ladies were prepared for the ball at the Bristol which was to -take place in six days. "I hear it's going to be a bully -affair." - -"Oh charming--charming," said Miss Pewsey. "Major Tidman is one -of the stewards. I asked him for a ticket for you Clarence -dear." - -"I'll go, if Miss Rayner will dance with me." - -"I don't know that I am going myself," said Olivia quietly. - -"Nonsense," said her aunt sharply, "of course you are going. -Everyone is going--the best ball of the season." - -"Even poor little me," said Miss Pewsey, with her elderly head -on one side. - -"Huh," said the irreverent Clarence, "ain't you past hoppin' -aunt?" - -"I can look on and admire the younger generation dear." - -"It will be a splendid ball," prattled Chris sipping his tea and -devouring very crumbly cake, "the Glorious Golfers are going to -spend a lot of money in decorating the rooms. I met Mr. -Ainsleigh. He is going--a rare thing for him. He goes nowhere as -a rule." - -Miss Wharf glanced sharply at her niece, but beyond a faint -flush, she could detect no sign of emotion. "People who are as -poor as young Ainsleigh, can't afford to go out," she said -deliberately. "I think the wisest thing that young man could do, -would be to marry a rich girl," and she again looked at Olivia. - -"He is certainly very handsome," said Lady Jabe pensively, "very -much like his mother. She was a fine-looking woman, one of the -Vanes of Heathersham." - -"I remember her," said Miss Wharf, her colour rising, "and I -never thought she was good-looking myself." - -"Not to compare to you dear," said the sycophant. - -But this time Miss Pewsey made a mistake. The remark did not -seem to please Miss Wharf. "I don't care for comparisons," she -said sharply, "its bad taste to make them. I like Mr. Ainsleigh, -but I don't approve of his idling." - -"He has never been brought up to do anything," said Lady Jabe. - -"Then he ought to turn his hands to making money in some way. -That place is mortgaged and at any time may be sold. Then he -won't have a roof over his head." - -"I have never met Ainsleigh," said Burgh musingly, "I guess I'd -like to have a jaw along o' him. Wasn't his father murdered in -China?" - -Miss Wharf became suddenly pale. "It is said that he was, but I -don't believe it." - -"Then he's alive," said Clarence pertinaciously, and looking at -her. - -"No. He's dead, but he died of dysentery, according to Dr. Forge -who was with him when he died--somewhere in the north I -believe." - -Burgh evidently stored this in his memory and looked keenly at -the woman whose bosom rose and fell and whose colour came and -went under his steady gaze. Miss Pewsey saw that the persistent -look was annoying her patroness, and touched her nephew's arm -gently. The touch recalled Burgh to his senses and he looked -away. This time his eyes rested on Olivia. Her colour was high -and apparently she had been listening with interest to the -conversation. "Huh," thought the swashbuckler, "and it was about -young Ainsleigh," and he stored this in his memory also. - -To make a sensation, which he dearly loved to do, Chris Walker -announced that he would bring a distinguished visitor to the -ball of the Glorious Golfers. "He's a Chinaman," said he -pompously, "and was mixed up in the Boxer rebellion." - -None of the ladies seemed impressed, as none of them knew -anything about the Boxers, or their rebellion. But Burgh looked -up. "Who is he anyhow?" he demanded, compressing his lips. - -"A Chinese gentleman called Tung-yu." - -"What a very extraordinary name," said Miss Pewsey, and suddenly began -to take a deep interest in matters Chinese. While she chatted with -Chris who was willing to afford her all information. Burgh folded his -arms and leaned back apparently thinking deeply. His face was not -pleasant to behold. Olivia saw the evil look and shivered. Then she -rose and was about to steal from the room, when her aunt called to -her sharply. "Don't go Olivia I want to speak with you." - -"And I want to take my usual walk," said Lady Jabe rising and -settling her collar, "Chris?" - -A tap on the shoulder brought the slim young man to his feet, -and giving his arm to his masculine aunt the two departed. Burgh -rose also. "I guess I'll make tracks also?" he said smartly. -"Walker, you and I can have a yarn together, later." - -Miss Pewsey followed her nephew to the door. - -"Do you wish to ask young Mr. Walker more about Tung-yu?" she -asked. - -Clarence wheeled round quickly. "What do you know of him aunt?" - -"It's such a strange name," simpered Miss Pewsey, looking very -innocent, "and I am interested in China. You were out there a -long time Clarence." - -"Amongst other places, yes. I hung round a bit." - -"Then you must tell me all about the natives," said Miss Pewsey, -"I want to know of their robes and their fans and--" - -"Fans," said Burgh starting: but Miss Pewsey with an artificial -laugh flitted back into the room, leaving him uneasy and -non-plussed. He walked away frowning darkly. - -Olivia would have walked away also frowning, as she was -indignant at the way in which her aunt had spoken of Rupert. But -Miss Wharf gave her no chance of leaving the room or the house. -Olivia had never seen her aunt so pale or upset. She looked as -white as chalk, and controlled her emotion with difficulty. -Lavinia Pewsey glanced at the two, guessed there was about to be -a row, and glided away. She always kept out of trouble. - -"Now," said Miss Wharf when they were alone, "I want an -explanation." - - - - -CHAPTER IV -Rupert's Secret - - -Olivia was astonished to see the emotion of her aunt, for, as a -rule Miss Wharf was cold and self-contained. The two had never -got on well together, and the elder woman was undeniably jealous -of the youth and superior good looks of the younger. But as -Olivia owed bed and board to her aunt, she always behaved as -well as possible to one who was very trying in many ways. It is -only just to say, that Miss Pewsey made matters much worse by -tale-bearing, and probably had she been out of the house, Miss -Wharf and her niece might have got on better. But they could -never have been congenial companions. The difference between -their natures was too great. - -"Yes," said Miss Wharf throwing herself back in her seat, and -feeling irritated by the silence of Olivia. "I want an explanation." - -"What about?" asked the girl seating herself opposite and folding her -hands, which, Miss Wharf noticed with bitterness, were more slender -and delicate that her own. - -"You know well enough." - -"If it's about Rupert"-- - -"There," snapped the aunt, "I knew you would guess. Yes it is -about young Ainsleigh, and how dare you call him Rupert?" - -"Because I love him," said Olivia firmly, and looked directly -into the cold blue eyes of her aunt. - -"Then you must put this love out of your head. You shall never -marry him--never--never--never." - -"If I choose, and I do choose," said Olivia calmly, but with a -fine colour. "I shall certainly marry him. I am of age--" - -"Yes, and a pauper." - -"Rupert would not marry me for my money." - -"He is wise; for you have none." - -"It is kind of you to speak to me in this way," said Olivia, "to -remind me of obligations. I am aware that my parents died poor -and left me a penniless orphan. I am aware that you took me in -and educated me and--" - -"And acted like a mother to you," said Miss Wharf vehemently. - -"No. You never acted like a mother. With you, I have had a most -unhappy life." - -"Olivia," the elder woman started furiously from her chair, "how -dare you say that. Have I grudged you clothes or food. Did I not -send you to a first-class school and--" - -"So far as material things are concerned you have done -everything Aunt Sophia, and I thank you for what you have -done--" - -"A fine way you have of showing it," scoffed Miss Wharf. - -"But a mother you have never been," went on Olivia calmly, "you -have never given me a kind word; you speak to me before visitors -as you should not do: you make me slave for you and run messages -and talk of me to others as though I were a servant. What love -have you ever shown me?" demanded Olivia, starting up in her -turn, and also becoming excited. "I long for love. My heart -yearns for it. I would like to be a daughter to you, but always -you have kept me at arm's length. Aunt Sophia let me go. I can -earn my bread as a governess, or as a typist. It will be better -for us both." - -"No," said Aunt Sophia, looking as hard as stone. - -"I shall not let you go. If you have any gratitude in you, you -will remain and help me to manage the house." - -"You have Miss Pewsey." - -"She is not a relative, you are." - -"And so you treat me worse than you do her. Well, Aunt Sophia, I -am not ungrateful though you seem to think I am. I shall stop -with you. I only ask for a little more consideration." - -"I give you every consideration. As for love, I cannot give it -to you or to anyone. I gave all the love my nature was capable -of feeling to Markham Ainsleigh, and he rejected my love. Yes, -you may look astonished, but it was this man's father who broke -my heart." - -"And that is why you don't want Rupert to marry me." - -"That is the reason," said Miss Wharf sitting down and growing -more her calm stony self. "I was almost engaged to Markham -Ainsleigh: but he saw Violet Vane and fell in love with her. He -left me and made her his wife. Can you wonder that I hate the -son of the woman who stole my love away from me?" - -"Rupert is the son of the man you loved----" - -"And of the man who cheated me. Look at my lonely life, at my -starved heart. I hate the Ainsleighs--there's only one left but -I hate him. And when I heard Markham was murdered in China I was -glad--yes, very glad." - -"What an unforgiving nature you have." - -"I have every right to be unforgiving. Markham ruined my life. -And do you think I'll let you marry Rupert--the son of that -woman. No! Marry him, and I leave what money I have to Miss -Pewsey." - -"You can if you like, Aunt Sophia. I don't want your money." - -"Reflect," said Miss Wharf violently. "I have a thousand a year. -Half of that goes to a distant relative, and the remainder you -shall have if you will give this man up. Five hundred a year is -not to be thrown away." - -"I cannot give Rupert up," said Olivia firmly. - -"Think girl," pleaded Miss Wharf, her face becoming red and -wrinkled with the violence of her passion, "there are other men -who love you. Young Walker would make you a good husband, and -Lady Jabe is most anxious for the match." - -"I like Chris," said Olivia, "and I have known him all my life. -But I can't marry him. I want a master when I marry." - -"Then take Clarence Burgh," said Miss Wharf, "he will be your -master." - -"No. He's a brute." - -"He's a man--much more of a man than Rupert Ainsleigh." - -"I deny that," said Olivia fiercely. - -"He is. Clarence has been all over the world. He has fought -everywhere--" - -"So has Major Tidman. Do you advise me to marry him?" - -"He would make you a better husband than Rupert, old as he is. -That young Ainsleigh is a dreamer. He is on the point of losing -his estates, yet he sits at Royabay doing nothing." - -"He intends to do something, and save the estates." - -"Never. He is not the sort of man to work. Olivia if you will -take Chris Walker, or Clarence Burgh for your husband I shall -leave you five hundred a year. If you refuse I give you -nothing." - -"I prefer nothing--and Rupert." - -"Then you shall not have him. I'll ruin him first." - -Olivia started. "You can't ruin him. You talk wildly." - -"Oh do I," sneered Miss Wharf, "that shows you know little of me -or of my business. Listen. I bought up a mortgage on the Royabay -estate. It cost me money which I could ill afford to pay away. -But I bought it so as to ruin the son of that woman Vane who -took Markham from me. I always intended to buy the estate, or at -least to drive Rupert from the place, but if you will give him -up, I shall forego my revenge. Now what do you say?" - -"Nothing," faltered Olivia, who had turned very pale. "I don't -know what to say." - -"Will you give the man up." - -"I won't see him, if that will please you." - -"No. It doesn't please me. You must give him up, and engage -yourself to Mr. Walker or to Mr. Burgh." - -"I cannot--I cannot--" said poor Olivia. - -Miss Wharf stamped her foot and bit her lip. "You are as -obstinate as your mother was before you," she said savagely. "I -shall give you one month to make up your mind, and that is very -generous of me. If you surrender Rupert and choose one of the -other two, I will not foreclose the mortgage and will leave you -five hundred a year." - -"When can you foreclose?" asked Olivia anxiously. - -"By the end of the year. So it rests with you, if Rupert -Ainsleigh leaves his home in six months or keeps it. Now you can -go." - -Olivia Rayner was not a girl who would stand dictation. But for -some reason or another she meekly bowed her head and went out, -leaving Miss Wharf to calm down over her needle-work. - -The girl went to her own room, and lay down to think over the -situation. What she thought or what plan she conceived, it is -difficult to say; but she came down to dinner quite composed. -Her aunt looked at her sharply, and Miss Pewsey with suspicion, -but neither of them made any remark bearing on the storm. On the -contrary Miss Wharf chatted about the ball and talked of her -dress and even advised Olivia about her costume. "You will look -very well in white," said Miss Wharf. - -"But not so lovely as my Sophia in pale blue," said Miss Pewsey -with her usual emphasis. "I know you will be the belle of the -ball darling Sophia." - -"I have been the belle of several balls in my time," said Miss -Wharf good-humouredly. - -"And will be still," purred Miss Pewsey like the cat she was, -"my dear nephew, said you were a rattling fine woman." - -"It sounds like one of Mr. Burgh's speeches," said Olivia with -great contempt. She knew that the buccaneer loved her, and -therefore disliked him the more. - -"Oh Olivia how can you," cried the little old maid, throwing up -her hands, "when poor, dear, darling, Clarence worships the -ground you walk on. He's got money too, and wants a wife!" - -"Let him marry Lotty Dean then." - -"That retired grocer's daughter," cried Miss Pewsey, drawing -herself up, "no indeed. I may be poor, but I am of gentle blood -Olivia. The Pewsey's have been in Essex for generations. My papa -was rich and could afford to send me to a fashionable school -when I met my own Sophia. But poor sweet papa lost his money and -then--oh dear me." Miss Pewsey squeezed out a tear. "What sad -times I have had." - -"You're all right now, Lavinia," said Miss Wharf stolidly, eating -fruit and sipping port wine. - -"Yes dearest Sophia, thanks to your large and generous heart. I have -no one in the world but you and Clarence. He is the son of my only -sister, and has travelled--" - -"In China," said Olivia. - -Miss Pewsey narrowed her eyes and looked as though about to -scratch. - -"In China, of course. But why do you make that remark, Olivia?" - -The girl shrugged her shoulders. "I observed that Mr. Burgh has not -very pleasant recollections of China," she said deliberately, "he was -not pleased to find that Mr. Walker could talk the language, and he -was uncomfortable when the name Tung-yu was mentioned." - -Miss Pewsey bit her lip. "Do you know anything of Tung-yu?" - -"No. Why should I. All I know, is that Chris Walker says he will bring -the man down here for the ball." - -The little old maid looked hard at the girl, but Olivia bore her -scrutiny composedly. She wondered why Miss Pewsey stared so -hard, and laid such emphasis on the Chinese name, but the matter -slipped from her mind when she retired to her room. She would -have wondered still more had she known that Miss Pewsey came up -the stairs and listened at the door of the bed-room. - -Olivia had arranged to meet Rupert near the band-stand, as their -meetings were secret because of Miss Wharf's dislike. Certainly -the young man had come to the house, and Miss Wharf had received -him with cold dignity: but when he showed a marked preference -for Olivia's company, she gave him to understand that she did -not approve. Henceforth Rupert stopped away from Ivy Lodge, and -met Olivia at intervals near the band-stand. So Olivia, putting -on a dark dress and a veil, slipped out of the house, and took -her way along the brilliantly lighted front. She had often gone -before and always had left her aunt and Miss Pewsey sitting in -the drawing-room, Miss Wharf working and the companion reading -the newspaper. Miss Wharf never by any chance looked at a -newspaper herself, but left it to Miss Pewsey to cull the choice -news for her delectation. - -So Olivia, feeling quite safe, stepped lightly along to where -the crowd gathered round the stand. It was a perfect night and -very warm, therefore many people were seated in the chairs -and strolling across the grass. Olivia went to a certain -corner, and, as she expected, found her lover. He was not in -evening-dress, but for the sake of the meeting had assumed a -dark serge suit. As she advanced, he recognised her and came -forward taking off his hat. Then he gave her his arm and the two -strolled to the far end of the green where they sat down under -the fence which was round the flag-staff. There, removed from -everyone, they could talk in moderately loud tones. - -"My darling," said Rupert, possessing himself of Olivia's hand. -"I thought you would not come. You were late." - -"I could not get away before. Miss Pewsey watches me like a cat -does a mouse, and with the same disposition to pounce, I -expect." - -"She's a detestable woman," said Rupert angrily, "why can't she -leave you alone?" - -"I don't know. Rupert, she wants me to marry her nephew." - -"What, that bounder who rides so furiously," cried Rupert -fiercely, "you don't mean to say that he dares----" - -"Not in words, but he looks--oh," Olivia shivered, "you know the -sort of look a man like that, gives you." - -"I'll twist his neck if he insults you." - -"Then Miss Pewsey would complain to my aunt and I should get -into trouble. Oh, Rupert," she said softly, "I am so afraid." - -"Of that man. Nonsense." - -"No--of everything. I can keep Mr. Burgh off--" - -"Who is he?" asked Rupert jealously. - -"Miss Pewsey's nephew. I can manage him, bold as he is. But it -is you I am afraid of. Listen," and Olivia told the young man -what she had learned from Miss Wharf that afternoon. "She can -ruin you," said the poor girl, almost crying, "and she will if -she learns the truth." - -Rupert pressed the hand he held. "Why not tell her the truth," -he said. "I'm willing to face poverty if you are." - -"Rupert, are you mad? If Aunt Sophia learned that we were -married--hark, what was that?" and Olivia rose, and nervously -peered into the shadows, "I thought I heard a noise." - -"It's nothing. Only some rats in the long grass within the -fence. No one's about. They're all over at the band. But about -our marriage, Olivia. Miss Wharf must learn sooner or later." - -"Yes. But you know I asked you to keep it quiet that I might not -have trouble with her. It was selfish of me, for it would have -been braver of me to have faced her anger and then have told all -the world that we were married at that Registry Office. But I'm -glad now I didn't. She would have ruined you." - -"She can't do anything till the end of the year." - -"But why didn't you tell me she held this mortgage?" - -"Well, I thought that before the end of the year I might manage -to pay it and the other mortgages off. Then we could announce -that we were married, and live at Royabay on what small income I -have." - -"I don't mind about the income," said Mrs. Ainsleigh, for that -Olivia secretly was. "I'd live on a shilling a day with you, -darling. But aunt threatens if I marry you to cut me out of her -will. She would do so at once if she knew the truth, and leave -the money to Miss Pewsey." - -"Let her. I daresay that old maid has schemed for it. She's a -wicked old woman that and worthy of her bounder of a nephew. -Never mind about the money or the mortgage. Let us announce the -marriage. I don't like the position you occupy. It is not fit -that my wife should be exposed to the attentions of a cad like -this Burgh." - -"Wait till the end of the year," said Olivia feverishly, "then -you may be able to get money, to put things straight. It is best -to keep the matter quiet now. Oh how I wish we had money -Rupert." - -"I may be able to make it out of the fan?" - -"What fan?" asked Olivia looking at him. - -Rupert laughed. "I forgot you don't know." He took the slip of -paper from his pocket-book and lighting a match he read the -description of the fan. "I went up to the place," he continued -dropping the lucifer, "and saw a Chinaman, Tung-yu--" - -"What," said Olivia starting, "why that is the man Mr. Walker -is going to bring to the ball. He's a clerk in the firm of -Kum-gum-Li and Company." - -"That's strange. I thought he was the keeper of the Joss house -in Perry Street, Whitechapel. Humph! Does Walker know of the -fan?" - -"I don't know. But he knows this Tung-yu, and I think, so does -Mr. Burgh. He seemed much annoyed when he heard the name." - -"What about?" - -"I can't say. And Rupert. Mr. Burgh speaks Chinese--" - -"He must be very clever then for I hear it is a most awful -language to get hold of. Was Burgh ever in China?" - -"Yes. He brought the fan from that place?" - -"Fan." Rupert turned round sharply, "what fan?" - -"The one you talk about," said Olivia innocently. - -"I recognised it at once from the description you read just -now." - -"Are you sure," said Rupert much excited, for he never expected -to hear of the missing fan from Olivia of all people. - -"Quite sure--positive. The fan is painted green on one side and -the sticks on the other are overlaid with thin jade, so I -suppose it gets its name from the mineral. Then it has a cord of -yellow silk with four beads and half a bead, and----" - -"It is the same. Where did Burgh get it?" - -"I don't know. He says he brought it from China, and offered it -to me. I refused it----" - -"I should think so," said Ainsleigh fuming, "well?" - -"Then he gave it to my aunt." - -"And has Miss Wharf got it now?" - -"I think so, but I have not seen it lately. I expect if she has, -she will use it at the ball." - -"And Tung-yu who advertises, is coming to the ball," mused -Rupert, "there doesn't seem much chance for me. I expect your -aunt will make the money after all." - -"It won't be much. Who would give a large sum for that fan?" - -"Tung-yu will. He is ready to give five thousand pounds." - -"Oh," said Olivia with real regret, "and I refused it." - -"I'm glad you did," cried Rupert angrily, "I would rather -everything went than that you should accept presents from that -bounder. Well I fear my chance is gone Olivia. I'm ruined." - -"Dearest I will face the ruin with you," and in the shadows they -kissed. - - - - -CHAPTER V -Concerning the Fan - - -Rupert returned to Royabay in rather a melancholy frame of mind. -He found himself in a very difficult situation, and there did -not seem to be any chance of his extricating himself therefrom, -now that Miss Wharf possessed the fan. It was strange that she -should have received it from Clarence Burgh, and Rupert wondered -how that dashing young gentleman became its owner. However, -there was little use speculating on this. Miss Wharf had the -fan, and probably she would keep it, unless the large sum of -money offered by Tung-yu tempted her to do business. Ainsleigh -wondered also, if the old maid had read the papers, and if she -had seen the advertisement. - -"But what does it matter to me," said Rupert, as he turned up -the avenue. "I won't get the money, and Miss Wharf will see me -hanged first before she will let me make such a sum. While I am -poor, she holds me in her clutches, and thinks by means of that -mortgage to prevent my marriage with Olivia. What would she say -if she knew that we were already married. I was wrong to consent -to keep the affair secret, even though Olivia wished it. In any -case Miss Wharf can do nothing, till the end of the year, and -the truth is bound to come to her ears sooner or later. Then she -will strike and spare not. I believe that's the motto of the -Wharfs, and it fits her spiteful temper excellently." - -Then Rupert went on to reflect on what Olivia had told him of -Aunt Sophia's romance with Markham Ainsleigh. The young man had -never heard of it before, as he knew little of his father, who -had gone to China, a few years after his heir was born. In fact -Markham only waited till there was a male Ainsleigh to carry on -the succession and to inherit what remained of the estates, and -then steamed to the Far East to seek fortune. But fortune had -proved unkind and the poor man had died--whether of dysentery or -by violence, it is difficult to say. Some people said one thing -and some another, but even Rupert did not know the truth. Dr. -Forge, who had worked the mine in the Kan-su province along with -Markham, knew the absolute truth, and he ascribed the death to -dysentery, so Rupert, for the time being at all events, was -willing to accept this explanation. He had no reason to doubt -the loyalty of Theophilus Forge who had been a college chum of -his father's. - -Thinking in this way and considering whether it would not be -advisable to proclaim his marriage so as to release his wife -from the odious attentions of Clarence Burgh, the young man -arrived at the house. He was met in the hall by Mrs. Petley, who -announced that Major Tidman was waiting to see her young master. -Rupert nodded in an absent-minded way and was going to the -library where the Major was kicking his heels, when Mrs. Petley -caught him by the arm. "It's walking again," said Mrs. Petley, -whose fat face was pale, "and say what you like Master Rupert, -trouble is coming." - -She was a stout old dame with a red face suggestive of drink, a most -unfair thing to be said of her as she drank nothing stronger than gin -and water, one tumbler a night before retiring. But Mrs. Petley had -been a cook in her early days; later on she assumed the position -Rupert's nurse, and finally, having married Petley the butler, she -became housekeeper of Royabay. She was a common vulgar old woman, but -loyal to the core, and adored Rupert. When he had to dismiss the -greater part of his servants he retained John Petley, and John -Petley's wife, who continued to serve him faithfully and always hoped -for better days. Mrs. Petley, being intensely superstitious, was always -influenced by the appearance of Abbot Raoul whose walking was supposed -to predict bad luck to the Ainsleighs. If the ghost did not appear Mrs. -Petley was happy, but when it did she always prognosticated evil. And -it must be admitted that Rupert usually had more trouble with his -creditors when Abbot Raoul _did_ visit his old haunts. He seemed to -be a most malignant spirit. But Rupert as an educated man, was not -going to admit occult influence. - -"Nonsense Mrs. Petley," said he, shaking her off, "so far as -trouble is concerned, Abbot Raoul might remain visible for ever. -Am I ever out of trouble?" - -"No, that you ain't, worse luck. But this walking means -something extra special as I said to John." - -"Where did you see the old beast, I mean Abbot Raoul of course." - -Mrs. Petley started. "Hush deary," she whispered looking round -in a fearful manner, "don't speak evil of speerits. It may be -round, and you might anger it. I saw it in the cloisters." - -"Near the place?" asked Rupert. - -"Aye, standing on the black square where its mortal body was -burnt poor soul. It was pinting to a tree." - -"To what tree--there are plenty in the cloisters." - -"To the copper beech, as you might say Master Rupert. And angry -enough he looked. I nearly fainted." - -"You should be used to the ghost by this time Mrs. Petley." - -"Ghosts is things custom won't help you with," said Mrs. Petley -mysteriously, "they freeze your blood every time. Just as I was -thinking of a good scream and a faint, it vanished." - -"Into thin air like the witches in Macbeth," said Rupert -lightly. "Well it doesn't need Abbot Raoul to come and tell me -trouble is near. I'm likely to have a good deal by the end of -the year." - -"Oh Master Rupert what is it?" gasped the old woman. - -"Nothing I can tell you at present," said Ainsleigh carelessly, -"I have a good mind to seek Abbot Raoul myself and see if he -can't help me; but I'm not psychic as you are Mrs. Petley. I see -nothing." - -"And a good thing too," said the ex-cook solemnly, "if I spoke -to you it would be to make matters worse, though worse they -can't be." - -"Oh yes they can," said Rupert grimly. "I may have to leave--" - -"Never," cried Mrs. Petley smiting her fat hands together. -"Royabay can never do without an Ainsleigh within its walls." - -"It will have to content itself with Abbot Raoul, and I hope -he'll jolly well frighten the creditors." - -"Drat them," said Mrs. Petley vigorously, "but Master Rupert why -did it pint to the copper beech." - -"I can't say. Ask it when next you see it. But I must go to -Major Tidman. He'll be angry if I keep him." - -Mrs. Petley tossed her head and snorted. "The idear of old -Farmer Tidman's son, being angry with the likes of you Master -Rupert. I mind him when he was a brat of a lad and--" - -"Yes--yes--but I must go," said Ainsleigh rather impatiently and -left Mrs. Petley talking to the air. - -Major Tidman, whose ears must have burnt at the thoughts, which -occupied Mrs. Petley's brain was seated in the most comfortable -arm-chair he could find, and smoked a good cigar. He had a -bottle of port and a glass before him, and apparently had made -himself at home while waiting. - -"Hope you don't mind my making free with the wine-list," said -Tidman, who looked rather uneasy, as he rose. "I've waited two -hours." - -"What about?" said Rupert, throwing his cap down and sinking -wearily into a near chair, "anything wrong?" - -"I am," said the Major, "all wrong my dear boy. You see in me a -beast and a false friend." - -"Indeed. How do you make that out?" - -"I have been concealing things from you," said the Major -ruefully, "and all to make money. I'm really getting avaricious, -Ainsleigh," added the Major desperately, "and it's spoiling my -character." - -"Well," said Rupert filling his pipe, and wondering what this -out-burst meant, "Byron says that avarice is a fine old -gentlemanly vice. If you have only that fault to blame yourself -for, you are very lucky." - -"But I should have told you about the fan." - -Rupert blew out the match he had just lighted and sat up. -"What's that about the fan?" he asked sharply. - -"I know something about it," said Tidman fortifying his courage -with a glass of wine, "and I should have spoken the other -evening after dinner when you read that advertisement. But I -thought I'd get the fan myself and secure the five thousand -pounds--though to be sure I didn't know what that Tung-yu would -pay for it at the time." - -"No," said Rupert drily, "I told you that later. Well, Major, -you haven't treated me quite on the square, but I forgive you. I -expect neither of us will make money out of that fan." - -"No," said Tidman still more ruefully. "Forge has lost it." - -Rupert looked puzzled. "Forge? What do you mean? - -"Oh, this is part of my confession of trickery," said the Major -rubbing his bald head. "You see Ainsleigh, I held my tongue when -you read out about the fan, but I knew where it was all the -time." - -"And where was it?" asked the young man staring. - -"Forge has it--or rather Forge had it," said the Major, and he -related his interview with the doctor when Rupert had departed. -"So you see," added the Major sadly "I'm punished for my -wrong-doing. I'm very sorry, as I like you, Ainsleigh, and after -all I'd be glad to see you make the money, though I'm not so -well off myself as people think, and five thousand pounds would -help me a lot. However, I hope you will think I have made amends -for my momentary lapse from squareness by thus confessing." - -"Oh that's all right Tidman, But treat me openly for the future. -How did you know that Forge had had the fan?" - -Rupert did not tell what he had heard from Olivia for the -moment. He first wished to hear all that the Major had to say. -Tidman had certainly acted wrongly, as he should not have taken -advantage of Rupert's confidence, but now he apparently wished -to behave properly and Ainsleigh put the Major's temporary -deceit out of his mind. - -"I gave Forge the fan," blurted out the Major. - -"The deuce you did," said Ainsleigh looking puzzled. "And where -did you get it?" - -"In Canton seven years ago," confessed Tidman, "I was travelling -there for my health, and I had an adventure." - -"What was that?" - -But Tidman did not seem inclined to speak out. "I'll tell you on -another occasion," he said with a shudder, "it was not a very -pleasant adventure, and Forge, who was in Canton at the time, -got me out of it. I stuck to the fan though." - -"Oh, so the fan was the cause of the adventure?" - -"Partly," admitted Tidman reluctantly. "I'll tell you later as I -say," he wiped his forehead, "I can't tell you now, it's too -awful. I got the fan though and Forge took a fancy to it. He -asked me for it in Canton and I refused. He asked again in -England and I gave it to him. He's had it all these seven years, -locked up in that black japan cabinet with the gold figures--" - -"I know. Its in that Chinese room of his. Well?" - -"After you went away the other day I asked him to give me the -fan back, as I wanted to get the money from Tung-yu. Forge -refused, as he said the fan has something to do with a secret--" - -"Whose secret?" - -"Lo-Keong's secret. He is the real owner of the fan you know. -Forge seems to hate Lo-Keong, and said the fan would get him -into trouble." - -"But how--how?" asked Ainsleigh impatiently. - -The Major wiped his face again, "I don't know--I can't say. But -Forge said there was a secret connected with the fan--" - -"You said that before," cried Rupert becoming exasperated. - -"I don't know what I am saying, and that's the truth," stammered -Tidman becoming hotter and redder, "but Forge said if I found -the secret he would give me the fan. He then opened the cabinet -and found that the fan was gone." - -"What did he say?" - -"He turned as white as a sheet, and said that his life was at -stake." - -Rupert rose to pace the room. The mystery of the fan piqued him, -"I wonder what he meant by that?" he asked himself. - -"Something horrid if it has to do with the Chinese," said the -Major, "you have no idea what brutes they are. But Forge thought -that Mrs. Bressy, the old woman who looks after him, might have -sneaked the fan, as she is fond of taking things and pawning -them. But she swore she had never set eyes on it." - -"Wasn't the cabinet locked?" - -"Yes. That's the strange part, and Forge has the key on his -watch-chain. The lock wasn't broken, and no other key would fit -it, so how it was opened, is a mystery. But the fan's gone." - -"Quite so," said Rupert, facing the Major sharply, "and Miss -Wharf has the very fan you speak of." - -Tidman fell back in his chair and gasped till he was purple in -the face. "Wh--a--a--t," he drawled out. "Sophia Wharf?" - -"Yes. Olivia told me, when I explained how I wished to find the -fan and make money. It seems that young Burgh----" - -"A detestable young cad," snapped Tidman. - -"I agree with you. He dares to admire my--to admire Olivia," -said Rupert nearly letting his secret slip out, "and, to gain -her good graces, he offered her this fan. She refused, and he -then presented it to Miss Wharf, who took it and who has it -now." - -"Oh," groaned the Major, "and it's worth five thousand. What -luck some people have." - -Rupert shrugged his shoulders. "The luck will not come our way," -he replied carelessly, "and to tell you the truth I don't much -care. I expect Miss Wharf will sell the fan to Tung-yu." - -"But she doesn't know about his wishing to buy it?" - -"She may have seen the advertisement, and you know Tung-yu is -coming to the ball at the Bristol." - -Major Tidman rose like a jack-in-the-box. "Who says so?" he -asked. - -"Young Walker. Tung-yu is not the keeper of the Whitechapel -Joss-house as I thought. He is a clerk in the firm of Kum-gum-Li." - -"Chris Walker also works for them," interpolated the Major. - -"Certainly, and he is bringing Tung-yu to the ball. I don't know -why, and I don't much care," added Ainsleigh somewhat crossly. -"I am about tired of this fan business. What will you do?" - -Major Tidman buttoned his coat. "I'm going straight to Forge," -he said, "and I shall tell him that young Burgh had the fan. I -know how he got it." - -"Do you, indeed," said Rupert yawning. - -"Yes. Miss Pewsey stole it from the cabinet." - -"Nonsense. Why should she do that?" - -"Because she's always about Forge's house. He told me that he -might marry her--ugh," the Major sneered, "fancy marrying that -old cat." - -"Different people have different tastes," said Ainsleigh coolly, -"but if Forge is going to marry Miss Pewsey all the more reason -she should not steal the fan." - -"But she did," insisted the Major. "I'm sure she stole it and -gave it to that scamp of a nephew so that he might gain Miss -Rayner's goodwill. You see, Miss Pewsey would like to see Burgh -married to Olivia, as she--Miss Pewsey I mean--could then finger -the five hundred a year Miss Wharf will leave her niece." - -"He had better be certain that Olivia will inherit the money -first," said Rupert grimly, thinking of the secret marriage, -"and Miss Pewsey hates Olivia." - -"She hates everyone," said Tidman shrugging his plump shoulders, -"but she hasn't a penny to bless herself with, and when Miss -Wharf dies she will be cast on the world. Even five hundred a -year is a consideration to her, and if her nephew can secure -that by marrying Olivia, why, all the better for Miss Pewsey." - -But Rupert shook his head. "If Miss Pewsey had that scheme in -her head, she would be more friendly with Olivia," he said, "and -she can set her mind at rest: Burgh will not marry Olivia." - -"He's a dangerous rival Ainsleigh." - -"Pooh. I can manage that young man and half a dozen like him. -You don't think I'd give up the girl I love, to anyone, Tidman." - -"No," said the Major, looking at the frank brave face of his -host, "but Burgh is unscrupulous, and will make mischief. -However, perhaps Forge will deal with him for this fan business. -When Forge learns that Miss Pewsey has stolen his fan, he won't -marry her. I'll have the satisfaction of spoiling her plans at -all events." - -"She seems to have a great many plans according to you," yawned -Ainsleigh, "but frankly I think you have found a mare's nest. I -don't believe anything will come of the matter. It's moonshine." - -Tidman marched to the door. "We'll see," said he determinedly. -"I believe trouble is coming to you through young Burgh," and he -departed. - -Rupert left alone lighted his pipe and thought of Mrs. Petley's -fancy concerning the ghost. "If this is the trouble," said he to -himself. "I don't mind. Burgh won't get Olivia unless over my -dead body. As to this fan--pah!" - -But he little knew what disasters the fan would bring to him. -Abbot Raoul's ghost was not walking for nothing. - - - - -CHAPTER VI -Burgh's Story - - -Next morning Major Tidman was seated in his well-furnished room -in the Bristol Hotel. From the window he commanded a fine view -of the mouth of the Thames, of the pier, and of the picturesque -lower town. But the view did not gain the attention of the -Major, worthy as it was of his notice. He seated himself at the -table which was spread for breakfast, and proceeded to make a -good meal. Perhaps he did not eat so well as usual for the Major -was worried, as was evident from the cross expression of his -face. On the previous night he had gone to see Forge, and had -told him how Miss Wharf became possessed of the fan. The doctor -had listened to him quietly, but had refrained from making any -observation, even when Tidman reminded him of his remark, as to -his life being at stake. The interview had on the whole been -unsatisfactory, and Tidman was not at all pleased. He wished to -learn the truth about the fan. - -"There's some secret connected with it," muttered the Major, -while he devoured buttered eggs rapidly, "and that secret means -a lot of money. Five thousand pounds is worth having. I could -buy that plot of waste land near the church and build an hotel -there. I believe it would pay. Then there's Forge's life, which, -as he says, hangs on the fan, though in what way I can't find -out. If I got the fan, I might be able to get something out of -him. I would make Forge and Tung-yu bid against one another, and -perhaps I'd get even more than is offered. Ainsleigh can't say -anything against me now, as I am acting quite square and above -board. He's got no enterprise," thought the little man with some -scorn, "or he'd get Olivia to take the fan from her aunt and -make the money out of it. But if he won't, I will, so I'll see -Miss Wharf to-day and try what I can do. I daresay I'd get it -from her for a five pound note--that is if she hasn't seen the -advertisement. She's keen after money, too--as keen as I am. -Humph," added Tidman, filling himself a second cup of coffee. "I -wonder why Tung-yu was such a fool as to tell Ainsleigh he was -willing to give five thousand. Anyone, not knowing the value of -the fan, would get it cheap. There's a mystery about it, and the -mystery means money. I must get to the bottom of the affair. -Forge is no good, as he is holding his tongue: even when I told -him that Miss Pewsey stole it, he did not seem to mind. But -he'll never marry her after this, so I've spoilt her chance of -marriage, the cat. Though why Forge should marry an old fiend -who is eighty, if she's an hour, I can't make out. But Forge was -always secretive," ended the Major in disgust, and reached for -the _paté-de-foi-gras_. - -His meal was interrupted by a smart young waiter, who intimated -that a lady and gentleman wished to see the Major. Tidman was -rather surprised at a call being paid at ten o'clock in the -morning: but he was still more surprised, when at the heels of -the waiter appeared Miss Pewsey and Dr. Forge. The latter looked -much his usual self, hungry, dismal, and like a bird of prey: -but Miss Pewsey had a colour in her cheeks and a fire in her -black eyes, which made her look younger. It seemed that her -errand was not a peaceful one. - -"To what am I indebted--?" began the courtly Major, when the -little old maid cut him short with vinegary politeness. - -"Indebted," she said, standing very straight and stiff, and -quite ignoring the chair placed for her. "Oh, indeed,--how very -polite we are. Judas!" she snapped out the word with flaming -eyes. "Oh, Judas!" - -"Really, Miss Pewsey----" - -"You'd like to see me in the dock would you?" cried Miss Pewsey -tossing her head and trembling with wrath, "I'm a thief am I--oh -you military fat Judas." - -"Did you come here to insult me?" asked Tidman growing purple. - -"If you put it in that way I did," sniffed the lady, "and also -to ask plainly, what you meant by stating to my promised husband -here, that I stole a fan from his cabinet?" - -Tidman changed from purple to scarlet. He had not reckoned on -the doctor speaking to Miss Pewsey, and he turned a look of -reproach on his friend. The doctor immediately took up the -challenge, "I see you think I have been too free with my -tongue," said he deliberately, "it is not my custom as you know. -But I told you Major that I was engaged to Miss Pewsey, and I -thought it only right that she should know the aspersions you -have cast on her character." - -"A character," cried the lady, "which has stood the test of -years and which stands deservedly high. I am a Pewsey of Essex," -she added as though the whole county belonged to her, "and never -before have I been accused of thieving--Judas," she shot out the -name again, and the Major quailed. He saw that he was in the -wrong, owing to Forge's betrayal, and had to make the best of -it. - -"I am extremely sorry," he said apologetically, "quite a -mistake." - -"Oh, indeed. A jury will give their opinion on that," sniffed -the maiden. - -"No! No I beg of you----" - -"The damages will be laid at five thousand pounds." - -"The price of the fan," said Tidman starting. - -"What do you mean by that?" asked Miss Pewsey, her eyes -glittering. - -"I mean, just nothing." - -"Oh yes, you do. Make a clean breast of it Benjamin Tidman. Oh, -to think that the son of a farmer, who was almost a labourer, -should dare to speak evil of a Pewsey of Essex. But the law--the -law," said the irate lady shaking a thin finger, "and five -thousand pounds." - -"Get it out of the fan." - -"Is it worth that?" asked Forge coldly. - -"You heard what young Ainsleigh said," answered Tidman as -coldly. - -"Yes I remember; but we have not come about the price, but about -your libel on this lady." - -"I apologise," said Tidman, seeing nothing else was to be done. - -"Apology isn't money," snapped Miss Pewsey. - -"Oh, if you want money, again I refer you to the fan." - -The Major was getting angry. He didn't very much care if Miss -Pewsey did bring an action at the moment, though with saner -thoughts he would have been horrified at the idea. "I -apologise," said he again, "but I was misled by Dr. Forge." - -"How were you misled by me?" demanded Forge impassively. - -"You said you had the fan in your cabinet, and that it had been -stolen. Mrs. Bressy swore she did not take it, and I thought--" - -"That I was the thief," cried Miss Pewsey shrilly, "oh how clever -of you--how very, very clever. You thought that I got the key from the -watch-chain of Dr. Forge where he always carries it, to open the -cabinet and steal a fan, I knew nothing about it. I never even knew of -the existence of the fan--there Judas," snapped the lady once more. - -"Then I was mistaken, and Dr. Forge was mistaken also." - -"I confess that I did make a mistake," said the doctor with a -sad face, "but that does not excuse your libelling the lady I -hope to call my wife. My memory is not so good as it was, and I -fear that the drugs I take to induce sleep have impaired what -memory I have left. I suffer from neuralgia," added the doctor -turning to Miss Pewsey, "and in China I contracted the habit of -opium smoking, so--" - -"Marriage will put that right," said the lady patting his hand. -"I do not expect a perfect husband--" - -"I never knew you expected a husband at all," said Tidman -injudiciously. - -"Ho," cried Miss Pewsey drawing herself up. She had been -standing all the time, "another libel. I call Dr. Forge to -witness it." - -"I really think Tidman you'd better hold your tongue," said the -doctor gently, "but I must explain, that I quite forgot that I -had parted with the fan. Yes. I received it from you, seven -years ago when I brought you home after that adventure in -Canton. Two years later I returned to China, to see Lo-Keong on -business, and I took the fan with me. He received it." - -"No," said the Major shaking his bald head, "I can't believe -that, Forge. You declared that you hated Lo-Keong and that the -fan would harm you and him also." - -"I do hate the man," cried Forge looking more like a bird of -prey than ever, "but I got a concession about a gold mine, by -giving back the fan. I wanted the money more than Lo-Keong's -life. As to my own life, it was in danger from the enemies of -the Mandarin, who want the fan to ruin him. That was why I spoke -as I did. Are you satisfied?" - -"Not quite," said Tidman who was puzzled, "how did the fan come -to England again?" - -"My nephew Mr. Burgh will tell you that," said Miss Pewsey, -"when he has administered the beating I have asked him to -inflict." - -"Beating," shouted the Major snatching a knife from the -breakfast table, "let that young whelp dare to hint such a -thing, and I'll kick him round Marport." - -"Clarence is not the man to be kicked." - -"Nor am I the man to be beaten, I have apologised and that is -quite enough. If you are not satisfied Miss Pewsey, you can -bring your action and I'll defend it. Beating indeed," snorted -Tidman, "I'd like to see anyone who would dare to lay a hand on -me," and he looked very fierce as he spoke. - -"Very good," said Miss Pewsey in a stately manner, "if you will -tell me all about the fan, I shall ask Clarence to spare you the -beating." - -"Clarence can go to--" the Major mentioned a place which made -Miss Pewsey shriek and clap her fingers to her ears. "I am not -the least afraid of that cad and bounder--that--that----" - -"Libel again Major Tidman." - -"Pooh--Pooh," said Forge rising, "let us go Lavinia." - -"Not till I hear about the fan. For the sake of my dear Sophia -who has the fan, I want to hear." - -"All I know, is, that the fan was advertised for----" - -"I saw the advertisement," said Miss Pewsey, "but I said nothing to -dear Sophia, although I recognized the fan from the description in -the newspaper. She never looks at the papers, and trusts to me to tell -her the news." - -"So you kept from her a piece of news out of which she could -make five thousand pounds." - -"Really and truly," said Miss Pewsey clutching her bag -convulsively and with glittering eyes, "who says so--who pays -it--who--?" - -"One question at a time," interrupted Tidman, now quite master -of himself. "Tung-yu, the man Ainsleigh saw at the Joss House in -Perry Street Whitechapel, offered five thousand pounds for the -return of the fan. Ainsleigh saw the advertisement and--" - -"I know how he came to inquire about the fan," said Miss Pewsey, -"Dr. Forge told me, but I did not know the amount offered." - -"Will you tell Miss Wharf now." - -"No," said Miss Pewsey very decisively, "nor will any one else. -My Sophia's health is delicate and if she had a shock like that -inflicted on her, she would die." - -"What the offer of five thousand pounds--" - -"The chance of being killed," said Miss Pewsey, "but I will -leave my nephew Mr. Burgh to explain that Major Tidman. I accept -your apology for thinking me a--but no," cried the lady, "I -can't bring myself to pronounce the nasty word. I am a Pewsey of -Essex. All is said in that, I think. Good morning, Major. My -abstinence from bringing an action lies in the fact, that you -will refrain from unsettling my Sophia's mind by telling about -the fan. Good-morning. My Theophilus will we not go?" - -Before the Major could recover from the bewilderment into which -he was thrown by this torrent of words, Miss Pewsey taking the -arm of the melancholy doctor had left the room. When alone -Tidman scratched his chin and swore. "There's something in -this," he soliloquised. "I believe the old woman wants to get -the money herself. By George, I'll keep my eyes on her," and the -Major shook his fist at the door, through which the fairy form -of Miss Pewsey had just vanished. - -Later in the day Tidman dressed to perfection, walked up the -town twirling his stick, and beaming on every pretty woman he -came across. The stout old boy was not at all appalled by the -threat of Miss Pewsey regarding her buccaneering nephew's -attentions. When he saw the gentleman in question bearing down -on him, he simply stopped and grasped his stick more firmly. If -there was to be a fight, the Major resolved to have the first -blow. But Burgh did not seem ready to make a dash. He sauntered -up to Tidman and looked at him smilingly, "Well met old pard," -said he in his slangy fashion. - -"My name to you, is Major Tidman," said the old fellow coolly. - -"I guess I know that much. Can't we go a stretch along the lower -part of the town?" - -"If there's any row to come off," said the Major, keeping a wary -eye on the young man. "I prefer it to take place here. On guard -sir--on guard." - -Clarence shrugged his shoulders and produced a cigarette. "Oh -that's all right," said he striking a match. "I guess my old -aunt's been at you. I'm not going in for any row--not me." - -"Just as well for you," said the Major sharply, "how dare you -threaten me, you--you--" - -"Now I ask you," said Clarence, "if I have threatened you? Go -slow. I guess the old girl's been piling on the agony. She's got -old Forge to fight her battles. When I make trouble," added -Clarence musingly, "it will be for a pretty girl like Olivia." - -"You can have your desire for a row by telling that to young -Ainsleigh." - -"Huh," said Burgh with contempt, "I guess I'd lay him out pretty -smart. I tell you, Major, I'm dead gone on that girl: but she -treats me like a lump of mud." - -"And quite right too," said Tidman coolly, "you aren't worthy of -her. Now Ainsleigh is." - -Clarence pitched away his cigarette with an irritable gesture. -"Don't get me riz," said he darkly, "or I'll make the hair fly -with Ainsleigh." - -"Pooh. He's quite able to look after himself." - -"Can he shoot?" demanded the buccaneer. - -"Yes. And use his fists, and fence, and lay you out properly. -Confound you, sir, don't you think I've travelled also. I've -been in the Naked Lands in my time, and have seen your sort -growing on the banana plants. You're the sort to get lynched." - -"Oh, tie it up," said Burgh with sudden anger, for these remarks -were not to his mind. "I want to tell you about the fan." - -"Why do you want to talk of that?" asked Tidman with suspicion, -"I don't care a straw for the fan." - -"Oh, I reckon you do, Major. But you're well out of it. If you'd -kept that fan there would have been trouble--yes, you may look, -but if you'd held on to that article you'd have been a corpse by -now." - -Tidman sneered, not at all terrified by these vague threats. -"What do you mean by this drivel?" - -"Let's come to anchor here," said Clarence pulling up beside a -seat in a secluded part, near the old town beach. "I'll spin the -yarn." - -"About the fan," said the Major sitting promptly. "I confess I -am curious to know how it came to England again, after Forge -took it again to the Far East. Didn't he give it to Lo-Keong?" - -"So he says," said Clarence with a side-long look at his -companion. "I don't know myself. All I know is, that I got it -from a pirate." - -"From a pirate?" - -"That's so. I was in Chinese waters a year or so ago, and I -reckon pirates swarm in those parts--" - -Tidman shivered. "Yes," he admitted, "I had an adventure myself -in Canton with a pirate of sorts." - -"Old Forge told me something about it," said Clarence lighting a -fresh cigarette, "but my yarn's different. I was out with some -of the boys in Chinese water, and a pirate tried to board us. We -were down Borneo way, looking out for a ruby mine said to be in -those parts. My pals--there were two of them, and myself -engineering the job--hired a boat and cut across to Borneo. The -pirates tried to slit our throats and our Chinese crew tried to -help them. But we used our Winchesters and six shooters freely, -and shot a heap. The pirates cleared off and we brought our -barky into port safe enough." - -"But about the fan?" - -"I'm coming to that. The Boss pirate was shot by me--a big six -foot Northern Chinee, got up, to kill, like a tin god. He had -this jade fan, and directed operations with it. When his pals -cleared I found him as dead as a coffin and nailed the fan. It -was pretty enough, but didn't appeal to me much. I clapped it -away in my box, and when I reached England I offered it to Aunt -Lavinia. She wants me to marry Miss Rayner, and said I should -offer it to her, and cut out that aristocratic Ainsleigh chap. -Olivia--ripping name, ain't it--well, she didn't catch on, so I -thought I'd gain the goodwill of old Miss Wharf, and passed it -along to her." - -The Major listened in silence to this story, which seemed -reasonable enough. "Strange it should have come back to England, -and to a small place like this, where Forge had it," he mused. -"A coincidence I suppose. By the way did you see the advertisement?" -he asked. - -"You bet I did, and it made me sick to think I'd parted with the -fan. Leastways, it made me sick till I saw Hwei!" - -"You mean Tung-yu." - -"No, I don't. I mean the Chinee as calls himself Hwei, who put -that advertisement in every newspaper in London, and the United -Kingdom." - -"What, in everyone?" said the Major, "must have cost----" - -"A heap you bet. Major. Well I struck Hwei--" - -"That's the name of a river, man." - -"Maybe: but it's what this celestial calls himself. I struck him -near the Mansion House, and knew him of old in Pekin I reckon, -where we chin-chined over some contraband biznai. I spoke to him -in Chinese--I know enough to get along on--and he told me he had -come to this country about Lo-Keong's fan. I never said I'd got -it, though by that time I'd seen the advertisement. I know -Chinamen too well, to give myself away in that fashion. I pumped -him, and learned that Hwei intended to scrag the chap who held -the fan, so I concluded to lie low." - -"But he offered wealth to whomsoever gave it up." - -"Maybe. I don't know exactly how the thing figures out. I guess -Hwei does the killing, and Tung-yu the rewarding. But you can -take it from me, Major, that unless Miss Wharf gets rid of that -fan she'll have her throat cut. So I guess, you must be glad you -didn't handle the biznai," and Clarence puffed a serene cloud of -smoke. - -"It's more of a mystery than ever," said the Major. And so it -was. - - - - -CHAPTER VII -The Warning - - -The idea that the end of the year would see him ruined and -homeless was terrible to Rupert. Even if his home had been an -ordinary house, he would have been anxious; but when he thought -of the venerable mansion, of the few acres remaining, of the -once vast Ainsleigh estates, of the ruins of the Abbey which he -loved, his heart was wrung with anguish. How could he let these -things depart from him, for ever? Yet he saw no way out of the -matter, although he had frequent consultations with his lawyers. -One day, shortly before the ball at the Bristol, he returned -from town with a melancholy face. Old Petley ventured to follow -his young master into the library, and found him with his face -covered with his hands, in deep despair. - -"Don't take on so. Master Rupert," said the old butler, gently, -"things have not yet come to the worst." - -"They are about as bad as they can be, John," replied Ainsleigh. -"I have seen Mr. Thorp. It will take thirty thousand pounds to -put matters right. And where am I to get it? Oh," the young man -started up and walked to and fro, "why didn't I go into the law, -or take to some profession where I might make money? Forge was -my guardian, he should have seen to it." - -"Master Rupert," said the old butler, "do you think that -gentleman is your friend?" - -"What makes you think he isn't, John?" - -Petley pinched his chin between a shaky finger and thumb. "He -don't seem like a friend," said he in his quavering voice. "He -didn't tell you or me. Master Rupert, how bad things were. When -you was at college he should have told you, and then you might -have learned some way of getting money." - -"My father trusted him, John. He was appointed my guardian by -the will my father made before he left for China." - -"And Dr. Forge went with the master to China," said the old man, -"how did the master die?" - -"Of dysentery, so Dr. Forge says." - -"And others say he was murdered." - -"Who says so, John?" - -"Well sir, that Mandarin gentleman sent your father's papers and -luggage back here when your mother was alive. A Chinaman brought -the things. He hinted that all was not right, and afterwards the -mistress died. She believed your father was murdered." - -Rupert looked pensive. He had heard something of this, but the -story had been so vague, and was so vague as John told it, that -he did not believe in it much. "Does Dr. Forge know the truth?" -he asked. - -"He ought to, sir. Dr. Forge came from China with a report of -this gold mine up in Kan-su, and your father was all on fire to -go there and make money. The mistress implored him not to go but -he would. He went with Dr. Forge, and never returned. The -doctor, I know, says that the master died of dysentery, when the -doctor himself was at Pekin. But I never liked that Forge," -cried the old servant vehemently, "and I believe there's -something black about the business." - -"But why should Forge be an enemy of my father's?" - -"Ah sir," Petley shook his old head, "I can't rightly say. Those -two were at college together and fast friends; but I never liked -Forge. No, sir, not if I was killed for it would I ever like -that gentleman, though it's not for a person in my position to -speak so. I asked the doctor again and again to let me know how -bad things were, when you were at school, Master Rupert, but he -told me to mind my own business. As if it wasn't my business to -see after the family I'd been bred up in, since fifteen years of -age." - -"I'll have a talk with Dr. Forge," said Rupert after a pause, -"if there is any question of my father having been murdered, -I'll see if he knows," he turned and looked on the old man -quickly. "You don't suppose John that if there was a murder, -he--" - -"No! no!" cried Petley hurriedly, "I don't say he had to do with -it. But that Mandarin--" - -"Lo-Keong. Why Forge hates him." - -"So he says. But this Mandarin, as I've heard from the Major, is -high in favour with the Chinaman's court. If the doctor was his -enemy, he could not go so often to China as he does. And since -your father's death fifteen years ago, he's been back several -times." - -"Well I'll speak to him, John." - -"And about the money, sir?" - -Rupert sat down again. "I don't know what to do," he groaned. "I -can manage to stave off many of the creditors, but if Miss Wharf -forecloses the mortgage at Christmas everyone will come down -with a rush and I'll have to give up Royabay to the creditors." - -"Never--never--that will never be," said John fiercely, "why the -place has been under the Ainsleighs for over three hundred -years." - -"I don't think that matters to the creditors," said Rupert -wincing, "if I could only raise this thirty-thousand and get the -land clear I would be able to live fairly well. There wouldn't -be much; still I could keep the Abbey and we could live -quietly." - -"We sir?" asked the old man raising his head. - -Rupert flushed, seeing he had made a slip. He did not want to -tell the old man that he was married, as he was fearful lest the -news should come to Miss Wharf's ears and render his wife's -position with that lady unbearable. "I might get married you -know," he said in an evasive way. - -"Lord, sir," cried Petley in terror, "whatever you do, don't -cumber yourself with a wife, till you put things straight." - -"Heaven only knows how I am to put them straight," sighed -Rupert. "I say, John, send me in some tea. I'm quite weary. -Thorp is coming to see me next week and we'll have a talk." - -"With Dr. Forge I hope," said old John, as he withdrew. - -Ainsleigh frowned, when the door closed. Petley certainly seemed -possessed by the idea that Forge was an enemy of the Ainsleighs, -yet Rupert could think of no reason why he should be. He had -been an excellent guardian to the boy, and if he had not told -him the full extent of the ruin till it was too late to prevent -it, he might have done so out of pity, so that the lad's young -years might be unclouded. "Still it would have been better had -he been less tender of my feelings and more considerate for my -position," thought Rupert as he paced the long room. - -While he was sadly looking out of the window and thinking of the -wrench it would be to leave the old place, he saw a tall woman -walking up the avenue. The eyes of love are keen, and Rupert -with a thrill of joy recognised the stately gait of Olivia. With -an ejaculation of delight, he ran out, nearly upsetting Mrs. -Petley who was coming into the Library with a dainty tea. -Disregarding her exclamation of astonishment, Rupert sprang out -of the door and down the steps. He met Olivia half way near the -ruins of the Abbey. "My dearest," he said stretching out both -hands, "how good of you to come!" Olivia, who looked pale, -allowed him to take her hands passively. "I want to speak to -you," she said quickly, "come into the Abbey," and she drew him -towards the ruins. - -"No! No," said her husband, "enter your own house and have a cup -of tea. It is just ready and will do you good." - -"Not just now, Rupert," she replied, laying a detaining hand on -his arm. "I can wait only for a quarter of an hour. I must get -back." - -Rupert grumbled at the short time, but, resolved to make the -most of it, he walked with her into the cloisters. These were -small but the ruins were very beautiful. Rows of delicately -carved pillars surrounded a grassy sward. At the far end were -the ruins of the church stretching into the pines. The roofless -fane looked venerable even in the bright sunshine. The walls -were overgrown with ivy, and some of the images over the door, -still remained, though much defaced by Time. The windows were -without the painted glass which had once filled them, but were -rich with elaborate stone work. This was especially fine in the -round window over the altar. As in the cloisters, the body of -the church was overgrown with grass and some of the pillars had -fallen. The lovers did not venture into the ruined church itself -but walked round the pavement of the cloisters under the arches. -Doubtless in days of old, many a venerable father walked on that -paved way. But the monks were gone, the shrine was in ruins, and -these lovers of a younger generation paced the quiet cloisters -talking of love. - -"My darling," said the young husband fondly, "how pale you are. -I hope nothing is wrong." - -"My aunt is ill. Oh it's nothing--only a feverish cold. She -hopes to be well enough to attend the ball to-morrow night." - -"I did not hear of it," said Rupert, "though Tidman generally -tells me the news. I have been in London for the last few days." - -"So I see," said Olivia, and glanced at her fair stalwart -husband in his frock coat and smart Bond street kit, "how well -you look." - -Rupert appreciated the compliment and taking her hands kissed -both several times. Olivia bent forward and pressed a kiss on -his smooth hair. Then she withdrew her hands. "We must talk -sense," she said severely. - -"Oh," said Rupert making a wry face, "not about your aunt?" - -"Yes. I can't understand her. She has shut herself up in her -room and refuses to see me. She will admit no one but Miss -Pewsey." - -Ainsleigh shrugged his shoulders. "What does it matter," he -said, "you know Miss Wharf never liked you. You are much too -handsome, my own. And that is the reason also, for Miss Pewsey's -dislike." - -"Oh, Miss Pewsey is more amiable," said Olivia, "indeed I never -knew her to be so amiable. She is always chatting to me at such -times as she can be spared from my aunt's room." - -"Well, what is worrying you?" - -"This exclusion from Aunt Sophia's room," said Olivia with tears -of vexation in her dark eyes. "I am her only relative--or at all -events I am her nearest. It seems hard that she should exclude -me, and admit Miss Pewsey who is only a paid companion." - -"I don't think it matters a bit," said Rupert, "hasn't your aunt -seen anyone lately?" - -"No,--yes, by the way. She has seen her lawyer several times." - -"I expect she is altering her will." - -Olivia laughed. "She threatens to do so in favour of Miss -Pewsey, unless by the end of the month I give you up, and engage -myself either to Mr. Walker or to Mr. Burgh." - -Rupert grew very angry. "What a detestable woman," he exclaimed. -"I beg your pardon, dear, I forgot she's your aunt. But what -right has she to order you about like this? You are of age." - -"And I am married, though she doesn't know it. But I'll tell you -the real reason, I am vexed I can't see my aunt. Can't we sit -down?" - -"Over there," said Ainsleigh, pointing to a secluded seat. - -It was placed at the far end of the cloisters under a large oak. -There were four oaks here, or to be more correct, three oaks and -the stump of one. "That was destroyed by lightning when I was -born," said Rupert, seeing Olivia's eyes fixed on this. "Mrs. -Petley saw in it an omen that I would be unlucky. But am I?" and -he fell to kissing his wife's hands again. - -"Really, Rupert, you must be more sensible," she said, in -pretended vexation. "What a pretty tree that copper-beech is." - -"Yes! But do you see the blackened square?" - -"It is not so very black," said Mrs. Ainsleigh, pausing to dig -the point of her umbrella into the ground, "there's hardly any -grass on it, and the earth is dark and hard. Curious it should -be so, seeing the grass is thick and green all round, I suppose -this is where Abbot Raoul was burnt." - -"Yes. I've told you the story and shown you the spot many -times," said Rupert, slipping his arm round her waist. - -"Dearest," she whispered, "I was too much in love, to hear what -you said on that point. And remember, all my visits to the Abbey -have been secret ones. My aunt would be furious did she know -that I had been here, and I often wonder that Pewsey, who is -always watching me, has not followed me here." - -"If she does I'll duck her in the pond for a witch," said -Rupert, and drew his wife to the seat under the oak, "well, go -on." - -"About my aunt. Oh, it's what Major Tidman told me. He's been -trying to see Aunt Sophia also. Have you heard what Mr. Burgh -told the Major about that horrid fan?" - -"No. You forget, I have just returned from town. What is it?" - -Olivia related to Rupert the story which Clarence had told the -Major. "So you see," she ended, "this man Hwei wants to kill any -one who has the fan, and Tung-yu desires to reward the person -who brings it back." - -"It seems contradictory," said Ainsleigh thoughtfully, "and if -Hwei put in the advertisement it is strange that Tung-yu should -have received me in the Joss-house mentioned in the paper. -Well?" - -"Well," said Olivia rather vexed, "can't you see. I want my aunt -to know that she is in danger and get rid of that horrid fan." - -"Pooh," said her husband laughing, "there's no danger. Hwei -can't kill an old lady like that for the sake of a fan she would -probably sell for five shillings." - -"She wouldn't," said Olivia with conviction. "Aunt Sophia has -taken quite a fancy to that fan. But she ought to be told how -dangerous it is, Rupert." - -"Or how lucky," said Ainsleigh, "let her sell the fan to Tung-yu -for five thousand pounds and then she can let Hwei kill -Tung-yu." - -"But would he do so." - -"I can't say. On the face of it, it looks as though these two -were working against one another, seeing they propose to reward -the owner of the fan in such different ways. Yet Hwei, according -to Burgh, put the advertisement in and Tung-yu received me. I -don't understand." - -"Well, don't you think I should tell the whole story to my -aunt?" - -"Yes. Go in and see her." - -"Miss Pewsey won't let me, and my aunt refuses to admit me. I -sent in a note the other day saying that I wished to speak very -particularly, and she sent out another note to say that she -would not see anyone till she was well. The note was kind enough -in Aunt Sophia's cold way, but you see----" - -"Yes! Yes! Well then let Tidman see her." - -"Rupert, how annoying you are. She won't see anyone but -Miss----" - -"Miss Pewsey. Well then, tell her the story, and she can repeat -it to your aunt. Though, by the way," added Ainsleigh, "Burgh -may have told Miss Pewsey about it already." - -"Yes," said Olivia, her face brightening, and rising to go away, -"but I'll ask Miss Pewsey to tell Aunt Sophia herself." - -As they walked towards the ruined entrance, Mrs. Petley's bulky -form appeared in the archway. She threw up her hands. "Sakes -alive, Master Rupert, come off Abbot Raoul's burning-place." - -Ainsleigh, who was standing on the square of blackened ground, -obeyed at once, and drew Olivia away also. "I forgot," he -murmured. - -"Forgot what?" asked Olivia. - -"Why miss," said the old housekeeper, "don't you know it's said -that if an Ainsleigh stands there, some trouble will befall him -before the year's end, You're not an Ainsleigh miss, but Master -Rupert--well there--oh sir, how can you be so foolish. The tea's -ready sir," and Mrs. Petley, with this prosaic ending trotted -away. - -"She doesn't know that you are an Ainsleigh," said Rupert kissing his -wife, "pah. Don't think of that foolish superstition. Come to--" - -"No, Rupert," said Olivia, planting herself firmly against the -wall, "you know I said a quarter of an hour. It's half an hour -we have been talking. I must get back." - -The young husband urged, implored, scolded, cajoled, but all to -no effect. Olivia made up her mind to go, and go she did, Rupert -escorting her to the gates. "You are very unkind," he said. - -"I am very sensible," she replied, "I don't want to disturb my -new relations with Miss Pewsey. She has such power over my aunt -that it is necessary I should keep on good terms with her. Now, -Rupert, you must not come any further." - -"Just along the road." - -"Certainly not. All the gossips of Marport would talk. Good-bye. -I won't be kissed again. Someone may be looking." - -Ainsleigh muttered a blessing on anyone who might be about, and -shook hands with his wife just as though they were strangers. -Then he remained at the gate till she turned the corner. There, -she looked back and Rupert threw her a kiss. Olivia shook a -furious sunshade at him for the indiscretion. - -"The silly boy," she said to herself as she went along, "if -anyone saw him, there would be a fine story all over Marport." - - - - -CHAPTER VIII -The Beginning of the Ball - - -So this was the position of affairs immediately before the ball -given by the Glorious Golfers at the Bristol Hotel. Miss Wharf -possessed the fan, and two Chinamen were searching for it. Hwei -intended to secure it by murder, and Tung-yu by the milder means -of honourable purchase: but why the two, with such contradictory -intentions, should work in unison, as appeared from the -advertisement, Rupert could not understand. However, he had so -much trouble himself that he dismissed the matter from his mind. - -There was little chance of his benefiting by money from the one -Chinaman, or of being murdered by the other. And he presumed -that Olivia would instruct Miss Pewsey to tell Miss Wharf about -the fan, even if she did not see her personally. And while Miss -Wharf was ill and safe in her house, Hwei could not get at her -in any way. Moreover, as Burgh in his interview with Hwei near -the Mansion House, had held his tongue, the man would not know -where the fan was. - -The ball was the best of the Marport season, as the Glorious -Golfers were a body of young men with plenty of money and a -great love of amusement. - -The vast apartments of the Bristol were thrown open, and decked -with flowers; an Irish Band,--The Paddies,--was engaged from -London, and many people came down from the great city to be -present. It was a perfect night when the ball was held, and the -terrace on the first floor of the hotel, or to speak more -properly the balcony, was thronged with people. It looked very -pretty, as it was filled with tropical ferns and plants and -trees, illuminated with Chinese lanterns and made comfortable -with numerous arm chairs, and plenty of small marble-topped -tables. Between the dances, people finding the rooms too warm, -came out to walk in the night air. There was no moon, but the -night was starry and warm, and a soft luminous light was -reflected on sea and land. Standing under the great fern-trees -and amidst the fairy lights, the guests could survey with -pleasure the vast waste of water stretching towards the clear -horizon, and see the long pier glittering with innumerable -lights. Needless to say, the terrace was much frequented by -amorous couples. - -Within, the ball-room, gay with flowers and draperies, with a -waxed floor and many electric light in coloured globes, looked -very pretty. The band was hidden behind a lofty floral screen, -and played the latest seductive waltzes, interspersed with -inspiriting barn-dances and quaint cake-walks. The women were -lovely, and the dresses perfect, so the young men enjoyed -themselves not a little. Rupert was present, looking handsome in -his evening dress, but rather flushed and anxious. He was not -sure if Miss Wharf would come, in which case Olivia would not be -present. And, if the old maid did recover sufficiently to make -her appearance, she would perhaps refuse to allow him to dance -with the girl. - -However Miss Wharf did appear though at a somewhat late hour. -She was gowned in pale blue and looked very handsome, if -somewhat stout. Olivia's dark beauty revealed itself in a -primrose-hued dress, and Miss Pewsey looked more like a witch -than ever in a black frock glittering with jet. This was the -gift of Miss Wharf, as poor Miss Pewsey would never have been -able to indulge in such extravagance. At the back and in -attendance on the Ivy Lodge party, were Clarence Burgh and Dr. -Forge. The buccaneer looked picturesque and dashing as usual and -was dressed very quietly for one of his flamboyant tastes, -though he showed to disadvantage beside the perfection of -Rupert's garb. Forge wore a suit which might have been made for -his grandfather, and which fitted his lank form ill. The doctor -looked less his cool self, than was usually the case. His -parchment face was flushed and his melancholy eyes glittered as -they roved round the brilliant room. Rupert wondered if he was -looking for Tung-yu, and glanced round the room himself to see -if the Chinaman had arrived in Chris Walker's company. But he -could not perceive him. - -Putting his fortune to the test, and having come to no open -rupture with the lady, Rupert boldly walked up to Miss Wharf and -offered his hand. She gave him rather a peculiar look and -coloured a little. But to his secret satisfaction she received -him very kindly. Olivia took her husband's greeting with a quiet -smile, rather cold, as she knew well Miss Pewsey was watching -her face. As to that lady, she hovered round the group like an -ugly old fairy, about to weave the spell. - -"And where is the Major?" asked Miss Pewsey in her emphatic way, -"surely he is present on this occasion." - -"I am sorry to say that the Major is laid up with a bad cold," -said Rupert. "I have just been to see him. He is not coming." - -"A cold spoils his beauty," tittered Miss Pewsey, "dear me, how -very vain that man is." - -"A cold has not spoilt Miss Wharf's beauty at all events," said -Ainsleigh, seeing his way to a compliment. "I never saw you look -so well," he added with a bow. - -"Thanks to Lavinia's nursing," laughed the lady. "Olivia can you -keep still while that delicious music is playing. I'm sure Mr. -Burgh--" - -"I think Miss Rayner is engaged to me," put in Rupert promptly. - -Miss Wharf tapped him on the shoulder with the very fan, about -which there had been so much talk. "No I can't spare you," she -said amiably. "I want to chat with you. Olivia?" - -The girl exchanged a look with her husband and saw that his eyes -were fastened on the fan. Resolved to give him a chance of -talking to her aunt about it, she moved away on the arm of the -buccaneer to join in the whirling throng. Forge offered his arm -to Miss Pewsey, not to dance, but to escort her on to the -terrace, and so it came about that aunt Sophia and Rupert were -left alone in a quiet corner of the room. - -Miss Wharf cast a side glance at the young man and seeing how -handsome and gay he was, she heaved a sigh. Perhaps she was -thinking of his father whom she had loved dearly, but if so, the -emotion was only momentary, for she compressed her lips and drew -herself up stiffly. "Mr. Ainsleigh," she said, "you never come -to see me now. How is that?" - -"I thought you did not wish to see me," said Rupert frankly. - -"Oh yes I do. Your father was an old friend of mine, and for his -sake I wish to be kind to you." - -Rupert saw that she was unaware that he had met Olivia secretly, -and had heard the story of the early romance. It was not wise, -he thought, to bring up the subject, so he met her on her own -ground. "You can be very kind to me if you wish," he said -casting a significant glance on Olivia who floated past with -Burgh. - -Miss Wharf followed his gaze and frowned, shaking her head. -"No," she said severely, "you must give up the idea of marrying -Olivia." - -"I can't do that," replied Rupert, thinking of his secret -marriage, "and I don't see why you should refuse to let me love -her." - -"I can't prevent that," snapped Miss Wharf, "love her as much as -you choose, but as another man's wife," and again she looked -oddly at Rupert, who wondered what she meant. - -"What an immoral remark," he said, "perhaps you will explain." - -"Mr. Ainsliegh I will be frank with you," said the lady calmly, -"you have no money, and are liable to lose Royabay. I hold a -mortgage it is true and by the end of the year I can foreclose; -but that, I shall not do if you give up Olivia. If I foreclose, -you know well enough that your other creditors will come down on -you, and you will lose all. I hold the scales," added she -significantly. - -"I see that well enough Miss Wharf, but many things may happen -before the end of the year." - -"You mean that you will get the money to pay me and others?" - -"I might even mean that," answered Rupert coolly, "and if I am a -bad match, I don't think Mr. Burgh is a better. I have at least -a position and a clean name." - -"What do you know about Clarence Burgh?" she asked quickly. - -"Nothing, save that he is an adventurer, Miss Wharf. He comes -from nowhere, and swaggers about Marport as if it belonged to -him. He has no recognised position and he is not a gentleman." - -"Oh but he is, and I want him to marry Olivia." - -"And thus you would condemn Olivia to misery. She loves me--" - -"A girl's love," said Miss Wharf coolly, "she'll soon get over -that. Mr. Burgh is Lavinia's nephew, and I have promised Lavinia -that Olivia shall be his wife." - -"Why in heaven's name?" asked Rupert angrily, "he has no money." - -"Oh yes he has, and may have a chance of getting more. Lavinia -has been a good friend to me for years and years--all my life in -fact, Mr. Ainsleigh. I owe much to her, and I intend to repay -her. Her heart is set on this match and Olivia must marry -Clarence." - -"Olivia shall not." - -"Olivia shall. I set my will against yours Mr. Ainsleigh." - -"You'll find my will is stronger," said Rupert coolly. - -Miss Wharf gave a short laugh. "Try," she said curtly; then her -hard eyes softened and her cold manner grew warmer. "Don't let -us quarrel," she said gently. "I wish you well, and would give -you anything save Olivia--" - -"Which is the only thing I want." - -"How rude of you to call Olivia a 'thing,'" said the woman -lightly, "you may make up your mind that if you marry her, I -shall leave my money to Miss Pewsey." - -"Do so. I don't want your money." - -"Five hundred a year is not enough," sneered Miss Wharf, "but I -may have more. What do you say to five thousand--" - -"Oh," interrupted Rupert coolly, "so Olivia has told you about -the fan--or perhaps Miss Pewsey." - -"It was Olivia. I believe Clarence Burgh told her. This fan," -Miss Wharf unfurled the article, "means five thousand pounds--" - -"Or a cut throat," said Rupert quickly. - -"Pah! how foolish you are, as though such a thing could happen -in England. Were we in China I admit that I should be afraid to -keep this fan; but as it is I am perfectly safe. See here, Mr. -Ainsleigh," she added bending towards him, "if you will give up -Olivia I will give you this fan and you can get the money to pay -off your creditors." - -"No," said Rupert at once. "I need thirty thousand, not five. -And even if you were to give me the thirty thousand I need, I -would not sell Olivia for that sum." - -"Look at the fan first," said Miss Wharf and gave it to him. - -Rupert's nerves thrilled as he took the dainty trifle in his -hand. So much had been said about it, so much hung on it, of the -meaning of which he was ignorant, that he could not look at it -without feeling the drama it represented. Balzac's remark about -killing a Mandarin in China to obtain a fortune, occurred to his -mind. This fan dainty and fragile, might cost the life of such a -Mandarin. It all depended into whose hands it fell. - -The fan was exactly as the advertisement described. On one side -the pale green sticks were enamelled and smooth; on the other -thin slivers of jade covered the wood, and were inscribed in -quaint Chinese characters in gold. The handle was of gold, and -therefrom hung a thick cord of yellow silk, with four beads and -half a bead thereon. Three beads and the half one were of jade, -but the remaining ball was of jasper. What these might mean -Rupert could not understand, but apparently they were connected -with the secret of the fan, whatever that might be. Certainly, -whatever its significance, the secret dealt with the life of -Lo-Keong, with the life of Dr. Forge, and with the life of Miss -Wharf, seeing she now possessed the article. All the time Rupert -furled and unfurled the fan, admiring its beauty, she kept her -cold eyes on him. "Think," she whispered, "five thousand pounds -may gain you a few months respite--you may be able to save the -Abbey." - -Rupert shook his head. "If I lose Olivia I don't care about -keeping Royabay. It can be sold up and I'll go abroad to the -Colonies to work for my living." - -"Without Olivia." - -"No. With Olivia. Nothing will buy her from me." - -Miss Wharf finding all her arts fail, snatched the fan from him, -and bit her lip. Her eyes flashed, and she seemed on the point -of making some remark, but refrained. "Very good, Mr. Ainsleigh," -said she. "I'll see what I can do with Olivia. You have ruined her." - -"What do you mean by that, Miss Wharf." - -"You'll find out my friend," she replied clenching the fan -fiercely. "Oh, I am not so blind, or so ignorant as you think -me." - -Ainsleigh turned crimson. He wondered if by any chance she had -heard of the marriage, and it was on the tip of his tongue to -put a leading question to Miss Wharf, when Chris Walker came up. -He was not alone. With him was a small Chinaman with the -impassive face of the Celestial. Tung-yu--as Rupert guessed he -was--wore a gorgeous yellow gown, with a kind of blue silk -blouse over it. His feet were encased in thick Chinese shoes -wonderfully embroidered and his pig-tail was down. Several -ladies cast avaricious looks at these gorgeous vestments, and -especially at the blouse, which was heavy with dragons woven in -gold thread. In his thin yellow hand with long finger-nails, -Tung-yu held a small ivory fan, and he stood impassively before -Miss Wharf, not even casting a look at the fan in her hand, -which he was prepared to buy at such a large price. - -"This is Mr. Tung-yu," said Chris boyishly. "He wants to meet -you, Miss Wharf. He admires English ladies." - -"I fear I can't speak his language, Chris." - -"He can speak ours to perfection," said Walker. - -Tung-yu bowed politely and spoke in admirably chosen English. "I -was at Cambridge," he said calmly, "and I know of your Western -culture. If you will permit me, madam." He took a seat beside -Miss Wharf. - -Chris, seeing his friend well established looked around. "Where -is Miss Rayner?" he asked. "Oh there she is--the dance is over." - -And so it was. The dancers were streaming out on to the balcony -and the room was almost empty. Burgh, with Olivia on his arm, -came towards Miss Wharf, and Chris hurried forward to ask Miss -Rayner for a dance. But quick as he was, Rupert was quicker. He -had seen his wife dance with one admirer, and was not going to -let her dance with another. "Miss Rayner is engaged to me," he -said, and offered his arm with a defiant look at Burgh, to whom -he had not been introduced. - -Burgh showed no disposition to let Olivia go, and scowled. But -his eye fell on the Chinaman seated by Miss Wharf, and he -suddenly moved away. It seemed to Rupert that the buccaneer was -afraid. Chris remained to protest, but Ainsleigh ended the -matter by abruptly taking Olivia out of the room. Miss Wharf -frowned when she saw them depart and opened her mouth, as though -to call Olivia back. But on second thoughts she contented -herself with another frown and then turned to speak to Tung-yu. -"I have heard of you," she said. - -"From my friend, Mr. Walker," said the polite Chinaman, - -"Oh yes, and from someone else, through a third party. I heard -of your advertisement----" - -"What advertisement?" asked Tung-yu. - -"About this fan," and Miss Wharf waved it under Tung-yu's narrow -eyes, which did not change their expression of indifference. - -"I do not understand, Madam!" - -The lady looked astonished. "Why. Didn't you advertise for the -fan?" - -Tung-yu permitted himself to smile. "Who told you I did?" he -asked. - -"Mr. Ainsleigh, who left just now, told a friend of mine, who -told me," said Miss Wharf. "I understood you wished to possess -this fan." - -"No," said Tung-yu indifferently, "the advertisement was placed -in the paper, by a compatriot of mine called Hwei. He asked me -to see anyone who called about it, as he was engaged. I saw Mr. -Ainsleigh and told him what he told your friend. You must apply -to Hwei." - -"And have my life taken," said Miss Wharf with a shudder. - -This time the Chinaman was not able to suppress a start. "I do -not quite understand, Madam?" he reflected. - -"Oh, yes, you do, Mr. Tung-yu. Hwei would murder me to get this -fan. I prefer to sell it to you for five thousand pounds." - -The Chinaman's face became impassive again, though his eyes -looked surprised. "I assure you, this is quite wrong. Madam. My -friend Hwei wants the fan, because it belongs to a Mandarin who -received it as a gift from his dead wife. So dearly does this -Mandarin prize it, that he is willing to buy it at any price." - -"Even five thousand pounds?" - -"I believe so. This Mandarin is rich." He turned his narrow eyes -again on the lady. "Did the person who said that Hwei would go -as far as crime, tell you the Mandarin's name?" - -"No. Who is the Mandarin?" - -"I fear I cannot tell you madam. Hwei did not tell me. If you -like I will bring him to you." - -Miss Wharf hesitated. Her avarice was aroused by the hope of -getting rid of a trifle for five thousand pounds but she did not -wish to risk herself alone with a blood-thirsty celestial. "If -you will come also," she said, hesitating. - -Tung-yu reflected. "Madam, I will be plain with you," he said -gravely, "as I am here, I can act on behalf of my friend -Hwei--but to-morrow." - -Miss Wharf tendered the fan. "Why not take it to-night and give -me a cheque," she said quickly. - -"To-morrow," replied the Chinaman, rising and bowing politely, -"I will call on you, if you will permit me. Mr. Walker will show -me the way. I will then arrange to buy the fan at a price to -which you will not object. Meanwhile--" he bowed again and -gravely departed. - -Miss Wharf, rather annoyed and surprised by this behaviour, -looked round for Miss Pewsey, to whom she was accustomed to tell -everything. The little woman appeared at that moment pushing her -way through the crowd in a state of excitement. "Oh, Sophia!" -she said, throwing herself down. "Oh, Sophia." - -"What's the matter?" asked Miss Wharf coldly. - -"I might ask you," said Miss Pewsey, parrying the question, "you -look so upset, my Sophia." - -"It is with pleasure then," said the old maid, dryly, "I have -arranged to sell this fan to-morrow for five thousand pounds." - -"Oh," Miss Pewsey clasped her hand, "What joy; you will be able -to add to your income. But, Sophia, I really can't keep it any -longer. That Major Tidman----" - -"Well. What about him?" - -"Mr. Ainsleigh said he had a cold and was confined to his room. -I went up to see, as I don't trust that Major a bit. He's so -wicked. I went to his room, and peeped in. Sophia," added Miss -Pewsey in a tragic manner. "He is not there--the room is empty!" - - - - -CHAPTER IX -The End of the Ball - - -Miss Wharf looked at her excited little friend with an indulgent -smile. "Really I don't see why you should trouble," she said -with a smile. "Let the Major do what he likes." - -"He's up to some mischief," persisted the old maid, "and I'd -like to find out what it is. He is supposed to be keeping his -room, because of a cold, and I find he is not in. People with -colds," added the lady, impressively, "do not go into the night -air." - -"How do you know Major Tidman has?" - -"Because he would be at the ball, were he in the hotel. I shall -ask Clarence to see what he is doing." - -"Why?" asked Miss Wharf, puzzled. - -"Because--oh, just because," replied Miss Pewsey, tossing her -head in a sharp way, like the Red Queen in Alice's Adventures. -"But the fan, dearest Sophia?--Can't I take charge of it?" - -Miss Wharf grasped the fan tighter. "No, certainly not. It is -worth five thousand pounds." - -"And perhaps more," said Miss Pewsey. "Remember, dearest Sophia, -that is the sum offered, but you might ask more. It is very -important that this Mandarin should get the fan back. Dr. Forge -told me." - -"Why is it important?" - -"Theophilus didn't tell me that, but he said that this -Mandarin--I quite forget his queer name--would give even more -than five thousand to get it back." - -"His emissary didn't seem very anxious to buy." - -"Oh, that is craft," rejoined Miss Pewsey, tossing her head. -"The Chinese are very double, Theophilus says." - -"I don't think so, Lavinia. I would have sold this fan for a few -pounds had I not known such a large sum was offered. Tung-yu is -not a good business man, or else the Mandarin must be a -millionaire." - -"He is--he is. I wish you would let me conduct the business, and -_do_ let me take the fan?" - -"No, I shall keep it." - -"Sophia," said Miss Pewsey, solemnly, "that is dangerous. Rupert -Ainsleigh hates you and needs money; he might kill you to get -that fan, and sell it for five----" - -"Nonsense. I cannot be murdered in a house full of people like -this. I know another Chinaman hints at murder--you told me -so----" - -"Olivia told me to tell you," put in the little woman, quickly. - -"Well, Hwei isn't here, and I'll sell the fan to Tung-yu -to-morrow." - -Miss Pewsey would have said more, but at this moment Dr. Forge -approached, with a crooked elbow and a dreary smile. "Allow me -to take you into supper, Miss Wharf." - -"Certainly," she rose and took the arm. "I am really hungry. -Lavinia?" - -"I shall look for Clarence. I must find out what has become of -Major Tidman," and the old maid hurried away while the doctor -escorted Miss Wharf to the supper-room. - -Clarence was not drinking at the buffet, though his aunt went -there to find him as the most likely place. Nor was he in the -ball-room, although a new dance had begun. She could not see him -in the card-room, but finally ran him to earth on the terrace, -where he was leaning against a tree-fern with folded arms and -with his wicked black eyes fixed on a couple some distance away. -Miss Pewsey followed his gaze and her eyes also flashed, for she -beheld Rupert talking with Olivia. Both their heads were bent, -and they conversed earnestly. The little woman hated Olivia and -detested Rupert, so the sight was gall and worm-wood to her. -"Why don't you ask her to dance?" she demanded, touching her -nephew's arm. - -"Because there would only be a row," he rejoined sullenly. "I -feel inclined to spoil that chap's looks I can tell you." - -"Do you really love the girl, so?" - -"Yes I do. I'd give anything to marry her, and I shall too." - -"There's not the slightest chance. Ainsleigh will not surrender -her I can tell you." - -"Then why did you make me waste that fan." - -"You didn't waste it on her," said Miss Pewsey coldly, "she -refused to take it like a fool, and now Sophia has it, there is -no chance of getting it back. Had I known the fan was of such -value, you wouldn't have caught me advising you to part with it. -If you knew what this Hwei said, why didn't you tell me the fan -was valuable." - -"I did not see Hwei until I had parted with the fan," said -Clarence crossly, "and we can do nothing now." - -"You are not so bold as Major Tidman," she whispered. - -"What's that?" asked the buccaneer sharply. - -"He's not in his room," rejoined Miss Pewsey in a low voice, "he -pretends illness, to carry out his plan to get the fan." - -"How do you know that?" - -"Because Tung-yu is in the hotel. The Major will try and get the -fan to sell it to him." - -"In that case he would have come to the ball and have seen Miss -Wharf to get it from her." - -"No. He has some other plan. What it is I don't know. But I wish -you would look round for him, Clarence, and watch him." - -"Bah! It's all stuff." Burgh turned to look at the sea and the -pier and the luminous night. "I'm getting sick of this business," he -went on discontentedly, "and but for the chance of gaining Olivia, I -would bunk out on the long trail. There's a barky out there," he -continued pointing to the right of the pier, "yonder--the one with the -green light. I saw her anchor early in the afternoon--a kind of -gentleman's yacht I fancy. She'd just do for me. I'd like to take a -boat and pull out to her, and then get up steam for the South Seas. -There's a clear path leads there, down channel," and he stared at the -flickering green light which winked amongst many red ones. - -"You'll never get Olivia," said Miss Pewsey, in a sharp tense -voice, "and you can go away as soon as you like. Meantime, look -for Major Tidman and tell him I want him." - -Clarence lazily stretched himself, and moved off along the -balcony. At the end there was a flight of shallow steps leading -down to an iron gate which was open. Thence one could pass to -the Esplanade and the beach, if so inclined. But the guests kept -to the populous end of the balcony where the lights clustered. -Near the stairs, there were hardly any lamps, and a screen of -flowers curtained it off from the rest of the hotel. Clarence -passed through this floral arch, and Miss Pewsey lost sight of -him. Her eyes turned to the couple she hated, and she carelessly -moved near them. No one noted her as the balcony was not so -full, and she sat down behind a fern where she could hear -without being seen by the two, she was spying on. Their voices -were low, but hate sharpened Miss Pewsey's ears, and she -listened intently. - -"My aunt is much more amiable to-night," Olivia was saying, "I -suppose the chance of making five thousand pounds has appealed -to her." - -"She gave me the chance of making it, provided I gave you up," -said Rupert, "and she lost her temper with me because I -declined." - -"Will you never be friends with her?" - -"I fear not, while Miss Pewsey is in the way," said Rupert. -"Olivia, it is that woman who makes all the mischief." - -"I think it is," replied the girl with a weary smile, "but she -seems to have a kind of hypnotic power over my aunt--" - -"What do you mean?" - -"Aunt Sophia has bad headaches and Miss Pewsey sometimes -hypnotises her to send away the pain." - -"Miss Wharf is foolish to allow her to do such a thing. That -little woman is no more to be trusted than her scamp of a nephew -is." - -"Well it doesn't matter," said Olivia, feeling in her pocket. "I -want to talk about ourselves. See Rupert you wanted a silk tie -the other day. I have knitted you one--red and yellow." - -Rupert took the tie and admired it in the lamp light. He would -have kissed Olivia's hand after a few words of warm thanks, but -she prevented him. - -"Someone might see and tell Aunt Sophia," she said hurriedly, "I -should have given it to you the other day when I called at the -Abbey, but I forgot, so I decided to give it to you to-night. -It's rather awkward your having it now. Give it to me again." - -"No! I'll put it in my overcoat in the cloak room," said -Rupert, rising, "but I must take you back to Miss Wharf, or she -will be angry." - -"I wish this deception was at an end and I could be with you -altogether," said Olivia rising with a sigh. - -It was at this moment that Miss Pewsey chose to come forward. -She was furious at the way in which the couple spoke of her, but -long habit enabled her to smooth her face to a treacherous -smile. - -"Oh dear Olivia," she said. "I have been looking for you -everywhere." - -"Does my aunt want me?" asked the girl calmly. - -"No. She is in the supper-room with Mr. Forge. But Mr. Walker--" - -"I don't want him," said Miss Rayner quickly, and with a change -of voice. - -"Yes--yes," said Rupert in a low voice. "Go with her, and dance -with Walker; it will prevent Miss Wharf being cross." - -"Very well," rejoined Olivia quietly: then turned to Miss Pewsey -who smiled like a grotesque image. "Let us go to the ball-room." - -"Won't Mr. Ainsleigh escort us?" asked the old maid, blandly. Rupert -bowed, and smothering his feelings, which always revolted at the sight -of the woman, he walked beside the two to the ball-room. Miss Pewsey -took Olivia's arm and chattered effusively all the time. At the door -they met Chris Walker, who hurried up at once and asked for a dance. -Leaving the two ladies with him, Rupert went towards the cloak room. -Here to his surprise he saw Major Tidman clothed in a heavy fur coat, -talking to Tung-yu. Tidman looked white and uneasy, but the Chinaman -still preserved his impassive face. Rupert took no notice but simply -nodded to the Major as he passed, pulling out the yellow and red tie -as he did so. Tidman changed colour, apparently not pleased at being -found talking to Tung-yu, and laughed uneasily. "That's a bright piece -of goods Ainsleigh." - -"It's a present," said Rupert thrusting the tie into the pocket -of his over coat. "I should think it would match your friend's -dress." - -"Hush," said Tidman quietly, "he speaks English. He will hear," -then he added aloud. "Let me introduce you to Mr. Ainsleigh, -Tung-yu." - -The Chinaman turned and looked impassive enough. But his eyes -had an enquiring look in their black depths. "Tung-yu and I met -in Canton, where we had an adventure," said the Major, with a -titter. - -"About that famous fan?" asked Rupert smiling. - -Tung-yu started and looked quickly at Tidman, who was again -pale. "I don't remember about the fan," said Tung-yu, "did our -friend find it in Canton." - -"No! No I never did," said Tidman hurriedly,--"that is Forge -found the fan--" - -"And gave it to Miss Wharf. Quite so," replied Tung-yu blandly. -"I see her to-morrow about the matter," then he bowed to Rupert -and moved away slowly. - -"I thought you had a bad cold," said Rupert to Tidman, who was -looking after the Chinaman with a scared expression. - -"Yes--yes--but that is better now," said the Major hurriedly, -"so Miss Wharf is here, and has the fan?" - -"Yes, she offered to give it to me if I surrendered Olivia." - -"Refuse--refuse," cried Tidman hurriedly: he approached his lips -to Ainsleigh's ears. "There is death in the air to-night." - -"Tidman," cried Ainsleigh starting away and staring. - -"Yes--yes--say nothing. I wish you hadn't mentioned about my -having the fan. Tung-yu never knew--but it can't be helped. -Ainsleigh, is there another Chinaman here to-night?" - -"I have seen none. Do you expect Hwei? If so we had better warn -Miss Wharf. She has the fan and--" - -"No! No--say nothing. Don't touch the accursed thing." - -"How do you know it is accursed?" - -"I knew in Canton, and in a very unpleasant way. But I'll tell -you my adventure to-morrow--yes I will--if nothing happens -to-night." - -Rupert stared still harder. "What can happen to-night man -alive?" - -"Nothing--nothing," said the Major hurriedly. "I'll get back to -my room--you needn't say you have seen me. I--" - -"Just the man I want," cried a bold free voice, and Burgh's slim -hand fell on the Major's shoulder. "Miss Pewsey asks for you." - -"For me. Any more trouble?" - -"I guess not. She wants to fuss round about your cold. Heaping -coals of fire's the English of it." - -"Let her leave me alone," said the Major petulantly. "I'm quite -well. I am going back to my room," and with a nod to Rupert, he -marched out. - -Burgh looked after him with a smile and a shrug: then he turned -to Rupert who was moving towards the door. "Can I speak with -you?" he asked with a frown. - -"Not here Mr. Burgh," cried Ainsleigh, "this is not the place -for a quarrel." - -"And why not," cried the other, advancing with clenched fists, -"I--" - -"Keep your distance," said Ainsleigh sharply starting back on -his guard, "the attendant is looking on," and he pointed to the -man behind the counter who attended to the hats and cloaks. - -Burgh tossed him a shilling, "Go and get a drink," he ordered. - -"Stop where you are," commanded Rupert, "or I'll report you." - -But the man, who was a dissipated-looking waiter pretended not -to hear this last remark, and disappeared from behind the -counter. The two men were alone, and Burgh spoke first. "I guess -I'm going to lay you out," said he, "on account of--" - -"Stop," said Rupert, "mention no names." - -"I'll mention what I like and Olivia--" - -Ainsleigh let drive before he could finish the word and in a -second Burgh was sprawling on the floor. He rose with an oath -and slipped round his right hand. "You draw a revolver and I'll -break your neck," panted Rupert, "you bully, what do you mean -by--" - -Burgh drew his hand away--perhaps he was afraid a shot would -bring in others to see the fray. But he dashed again at the -young man. A short struggle ensued, which ended in Burgh being -thrown again. Then Rupert, disinclined for a vulgar row, walked -away. He stopped at the door to give his antagonist a bit of -advice. "You touch me again," he said, "and I'll hand you over -to the police after giving you a good thrashing. It's what a -bully like you deserves. And if you dare to speak to Miss Rayner -I'll make Marport too hot to hold you." When Rupert vanished, -Burgh raised himself slowly and with an evil smile. "Perhaps the -place will be too hot for you my fine gentleman," he said -savagely, and began to think. - -Meanwhile Rupert went to the ball-room and saw that Olivia was -dancing with Dr. Forge. Chris Walker told him that Miss Wharf -had gone on to the balcony for the fresh air. Miss Pewsey was -not to be seen or Rupert would have told her to look after her -disreputable relative in the cloak-room. The young man thought -he would go up to the Major's room and have a smoke, when he -felt a light touch on his shoulder. There stood Tung-yu. - -"Excuse me sir," said the Chinaman in his excellent English, "I -am your friend. Major Tidman and Dr. Forge are your enemies, and -you have a third enemy in that young man Burgh." - -"But how do you know--" began Rupert. - -Tung-yu bent forward and whispered. "I know how your father -died," he said softly and before Rupert could detain him, he -vanished. - -But Ainsleigh waited but for a moment. The speech was so -surprising, that he determined to learn more. At once he ran -after the Chinaman but could not see him. In spite of his -noticeable clothes, he was swallowed up in the crowd and Rupert -plunged into the gay throng determined to find the man who could -solve the mystery of Markham Ainsleigh's death. - -The night wore on and the fun became fast and furious. Towards -twelve the guests began to depart, but many choice spirits -declared they would keep the ball rolling till dawn. One of -these was Chris Walker, who had imbibed more champagne than was -good for him. While he talked excitedly Miss Pewsey came to him -hastily. "Where is my dear Sophia?" she asked, "I can't find her, -and with her delicate health it is time she was home in bed." - -"I have not seen her. Have you, Dr. Forge?" - -The lean doctor shook his head, "I have been in the card room -for the last hour," he said, "and as Miss Wharf's doctor I -assuredly say, she should go home, there's midnight," and as he -spoke the strokes boomed from a tall clock in the hall. - -"Clarence, have you seen her?" asked Miss Pewsey of the -buccaneer who had Olivia on his arm. - -"No! I've just been waltzing with Miss Rayner." - -"Then you Mr. Ainsleigh?" - -"I have been smoking on the balcony," said Rupert, who looked -tired. - -"Oh, dear me," said Miss Pewsey wringing her hands, "I wonder if -dear Sophia has gone to see Major Tidman. She is so kind-hearted -and he is ill--at least he says he is. Did he tell you Clarence?" - -"I saw him only for a minute and he went back to his room I guess." - -"Then Sophia must have gone there," cried Miss Pewsey and -hurried away. Olivia followed with Forge as she thought also, -that her aunt ought to go home, and Clarence's attentions were -becoming so embarrassing that she feared there would be trouble -with Rupert. But soon, Miss Pewsey appeared again and said that -Miss Wharf was not in the Major's room, nor was the Major there. -Taking Olivia and Clarence and Forge, she went to search for the -missing lady. Rupert lingered behind as he did not wish to come -into contact with the buccaneer. - -The hunt proceeded for some time, and every room in the hotel -was searched. But Miss Wharf could not be found. Finally -everyone--for many of the guests were hunting by this time--, -went out on the balcony. Miss Wharf was not there. "Oh, dear -me," cried Miss Pewsey, "wherever can she be." - -The balcony was searched from end to end. Then one of the guests -more venturesome, descended the steps. He gave a cry of horror. -"Bring a light," he cried. - -Lights were brought and everyone rushed after them. Half way -down the steps lay Miss Wharf--dead--strangled, and round her -throat tightly bound was a yellow and red silk tie. - - - - -CHAPTER X -A Mysterious Case - - -The murder of Miss Sophia Wharf at the Bristol Hotel ball, made -a great sensation. She had been well-known in Marport, and her -many friends were enormously excited that each and everyone of -them had been acquainted with a person who had been--as one of -them put it--done to death. Also the circumstances of the murder -were most extraordinary. It seemed almost incredible that a -popular lady should be murdered in so public a place; though -many said, that the safety of the assassin lay in the very fact -that he had chosen to commit his crime, a few yards away from a -spot where many people were congregated. But who had killed Miss -Wharf and why she was killed in so brutal a manner, no one could -understand. - -When the local police heard of the assassination, an Inspector -with two subordinates took possession of the hotel, and obtained -from the manager a list of the guests present at the ball. As -these amounted to something like two hundred, it seemed like -looking for a needle in a haystack to search for the criminal -amongst them. And many of them did not know Miss Wharf even by -sight, so it was certain that the task of identifying the -assassin would be one of enormous difficulty. And the question -was asked on all hands. "What had taken the deceased lady down -the little-frequented steps?" The fan was missing--Miss Pewsey -noticed that, when she bent over the dead, but the story of the -fan was not yet public property. - -According to custom the local police communicated with the -Treasury, who placed the case in the hands of the Criminal -Investigation Department, and thus it came about, that a plain -clothes officer--in other words a detective--was sent down to -Marport. This individual was called Rogers, and after paying a -visit to the Superintendent of the Marport Police Office, he -went to Ivy Lodge. Here, everything was gloomy and silent. The -body of the unfortunate woman had been brought home, and was -laid out for burial. Dr. Forge, who with others had been on the -spot at the time of the discovery, examined the corpse, and -asserted that the miserable woman must have been murdered just -an hour, or half an hour previous. As midnight was chiming -shortly before the discovery of the crime, it can be safely -declared--and Dr. Forge did declare this--that Miss Wharf was -strangled between eleven and twelve. When the corpse was found -it was yet warm, Clarence haunted the Lodge and talked with his -aunt, but Olivia kept to her own room. - -"Tung-yu did it of course," said Mr. Burgh decisively. "I reckon -he came down to get that fan, and grudged giving so much cash -for it. I surmise that he lured the old girl to those steps, and -then slipped the silk string round her neck." - -"The silk tie," said Miss Pewsey whose eyes were very black and -glittering, though red round the rims, from weeping. - -"How do you know it's a tie?" asked Clarence with a start. - -"I know," replied his aunt tightening her thin lips, "and I know -to whom the tie belongs. But you say that Tung-yu?--" - -"Who else could have scragged the old girl aunt Lavinia. The -fan's gone--leastways I didn't see it when we spotted the -deader." - -Miss Pewsey nodded. "Yes, the fan is gone," she assented, "but -if Tung-yu murdered dearest Sophia, he can easily be arrested." - -"Oh, I guess not," replied Mr. Burgh easily. "Tung-yu's no -slouch, you bet, and didn't intend to lose his prize--" - -"The fan?" inquired Miss Pewsey. - -"Just so, the fan," replied Clarence imperturbably, "and he's on -his way to China by this time." - -"Clarence?" Miss Pewsey rose, much excited; then calmed down. "I -do not agree with you," said she firmly. "Tung-yu is innocent." - -"I'll lay a couple of dollars he isn't, Aunt Lavinia. Do you -remember that yacht I pointed out to you last night. Well, t'was -a steam deep-sea barky, two hundred tons, Lloyd's measurement I -reckon--quite heavy enough to cut round the Cape into Chinese -waters. Well, she arrived in the afternoon yesterday and after -midnight she lighted out." - -"But how do you know Tung-yu was on board?" - -"Well, I only size that up," said Clarence musingly, "but it -looks to me as though he'd engineered the job. 'Twould be easy I -guess for him to have had a boat waiting for him. After he'd -killed the old girl and annexed the fan, he could dance down -those steps like a two year old and pick up the boat on the -beach. Course it's all my fancy," added Burgh modestly, "but I -guess I'm right." - -"I guess you're not," snapped Miss Pewsey in rather an -unlady-like manner, and she rose to shake out her skirts. "I -know who killed dearest Sophia," she added, wagging a lean -finger at her nephew. "I know who possessed the tie, and I shall -hand that man--" - -"Who the dickens is he anyhow?" - -"Rupert Ainsleigh," replied Miss Pewsey with a grim smile, -and left the room, while the buccaneer stared, and then smiled. -It was pleasant to think that his rival--as he considered -Rupert,--should be in such straits and should be pursued by the -vindictive hatred of Miss Pewsey, who would leave no stone -unturned to bring about the conviction of young Ainsleigh. - -"Well," said the buccaneer with his hands in his pockets, "I -guess I'm not taking a hand in this biznai, and it ain't lively -round these quarters, I'll git." - -And this Mr. Burgh did. When he passed out of the front door, he -brushed against a plainly dressed rubicund man with sharp grey -eyes who glanced at him inquisitively. However, the stranger -said nothing but proceeded to ring the bell. The maidservant who -appeared took him into the drawing-room and carried a card to -Miss Pewsey. The name thereon was, Orlando Rodgers, C.I.D. - -With this in her hand Miss Pewsey sailed into the drawing-room -and looked at the comfortable creature who rose to greet her. -"Mr. Orlando Rodgers, C.I.D.?" queried the little old lady. - -"Criminal Investigation Department," said the man in a cool -voice, and with a sharp glance at the dry drab woman, "I'm in -charge of the Wharf Murder Case, and have been sent down by the -Treasury. As I have seen the Superintendent and can learn -nothing likely to throw light on the subject, I have come to -you--a relative?" - -"No," answered Miss Pewsey sitting down, in a rigid way. "I am -the companion of the late Miss Wharf. Her only relative, down -here at all events, is Miss Olivia Rayner." - -"Can I see her?" - -"I think not--at present. She is in her room weeping. Though why -she should display such grief I can't understand," added Miss -Pewsey spitefully. - -"It's natural in a relative, miss," said the detective looking -hard at the withered little face. - -Miss Pewsey laughed in a shrill manner, and spoke between her -teeth more than ever, emphasising every word as usual. "Oh, dear -me, no," said she. "Miss Wharf and Olivia never got on well. The -girl hated her aunt, though dearest Sophia--Miss Wharf, you -know, sir--brought her up, when she hadn't a shilling or a -friend in the world." - -"To whom have I the honour of speaking?" asked Rodgers wondering -how much of this spiteful speech was true, and seeing plainly -enough that the speaker was no friend to the niece. - -"I am Lavinia Pewsey," said that lady, "and for years I have -been the cherished friend and dearest companion of Sophia. We -were at school together, and were--as I may say--like two -cherries on one stalk. Anything I can do to avenge her death -will be done." - -"Punishment by the law, doesn't come under the head of -vengeance!" - -"It comes under the head of hanging, and I'll be glad to see the -rope round his neck." - -"Of whom are you talking?" asked Rodgers phlegmatically. - -"Of the man who killed my dearest friend." - -"Oh. I understood from the Superintendent that the affair was -quite a mystery." - -"Not to me," snapped Miss Pewsey, "Rupert Ainsleigh strangled -her to get the fan." - -"What fan?" asked the detective taking out his note-book, "and -who is Rupert Ainsleigh?" - -Miss Pewsey spread her skirts and folded her hands together in a -prim way. "I shall tell you all," she cried, "and please take -down all I say. I am prepared to make this statement in a law -court." - -"Well," said Rodgers moistening his pencil, "you may have to. -Now this Mr. Ainsleigh?----" - -"Of Royabay, a few miles from Marport," said Miss Pewsey, "quite -one of the old families. A nice come down for the Ainsleighs, -for the last of them to die on the gallows." - -"He is not there yet," said Rodgers dryly, "and may I ask you to -speak in a more reasonable way. I see you don't like the man." - -"I hate him," Miss Pewsey drew a long breath, "and I hated his -father before him, to say nothing of his mother, who was a cat." - -"Then your evidence is prejudiced, I fancy." - -"Never you mind, Mr. Orlando Rodgers," she replied sharply, -"take down what I say, and then you can sift the matter out for -yourself. My Sophia was murdered to obtain possession of a -fan----" - -"What fan?" asked Rodgers again. - -Miss Pewsey smiled, and calmly detailed all she had learned from -Dr. Forge concerning the fan. "You can ask my nephew, Clarence -Burgh, about these things also," she ended, "and Dr. Forge, and -Mr. Christopher Walker, who brought the Chinaman Tung-yu to the -ball, and----" - -"Wait a bit," interrupted the detective, "it appears to me from -what you say," he ran a quick eye over his notes, "that the -suspicion points to these Chinamen you mention. They advertised, -and they wanted the fan. Now Hwei--as I hear from you--was not -at the ball, but Tung-yu was. Therefore Tung-yu----" - -"Didn't do it," said the little woman. "I don't pretend to -understand why Hwei offered death and Tung-yu money for the -possession of the fan; nor do I know why this Mandarin, whatever -his name may be, is so anxious to get possession of the article. -But I know that the fan is gone and that Tung-yu, who did not -intend murder, hasn't got it." - -"Then who has?" - -"Rupert Ainsleigh. He went up about the advertisement and knew -all about the fan. I believe he killed my Sophia, and got the -fan, so as to sell it for five thousand to Tung-yu--" - -"But a gentleman of property wouldn't--" - -"A gentleman of property," snorted the old maid smoothing her -dress, "why he's head over ears in debt and will lose Royabay -before the end of the year on account of the foreclosure of a -mortgage. He'd have done anything to get money, and five -thousand pounds is not a small amount." - -"This is all very well: but I don't see how you connected Mr. -Ainsleigh with the crime." - -"By means of the silk necktie," said Miss Pewsey with a -triumphant smile, and related how Rupert had received the scarf -from Olivia, "if he is guiltless how came his silk tie round the -throat of Sophia?" - -Rodgers was shaken by this piece of evidence. "It looks queer I -admit," he said: then added, "I understand that Mr. Ainsleigh is -an admirer of Miss Rayner." - -"He wants to marry her, and she is in love with him," said Miss -Pewsey, "which is an additional reason for the crime." - -"I don't understand." - -"You're not a sharp man," said the old woman tranquilly, "don't -you see that as Miss Rayner inherits dearest Sophia's money, she -will get the mortgage also. Then with that, and the five thousand -pounds Mr. Ainsleigh would be free from his money-troubles. Well," she -added sharply, as the detective rose, "what do you say?" - -"Nothing at present. Give me the address of Dr. Forge who, I -believe, examined the body, and of your nephew and Mr. Ainsleigh." - -Miss Pewsey did this with alacrity and accompanied Rodgers to -the door. "Don't spare him," she said venomously, "he's guilty -and he shall hang," and she shut the door herself. - -"What a spiteful woman," mused Rodgers, leaving Ivy Lodge, "her -story is so very explicit that I am inclined to doubt it. She -wants this young man scragged. Why?" - -He could find no answer to this question, but went on his way to -see Clarence Burgh. His interview with the buccaneer was brief, -Clarence related the story of the yacht, and set forth his -theory of Tung-yu. "Mind," said he, "I don't like Ainsleigh, as -he's trying to run the girl I want to hitch long-side of. But I -guess he didn't scragg the old girl." - -"You speak fairer than your aunt," said Rodgers dryly. - -Clarence heaved up his right shoulder, "Huh," said he, "if you -go by woman's jaw, you'll get on the shoals. Tung-yu scragged -the old girl, you bet, and he's on his way to China in that -yacht." - -"Well, we'll see if we can't stop the yacht. She must coal -somewhere. What is her name?" - -"The Stormy Petrel," said Clarence, "I got that out of a -boatman, who was rowing about her yesterday." - -"Did he see any Chinaman on board?" - -"No. He didn't see anyone. There didn't appear to be anyone about, or -else they were at tea," concluded Clarence ungrammatically. - -"Humph," said the detective, noting the name of the yacht, "do -you know anything of the silk tie?" - -"No. Aunt Lavinia says it belongs to Ainsleigh, but I never saw -it till it was round the throat of the old girl. I should like -to think he put it there," said Clarence pleasantly, "for I want -that chap out of the way; but I believe Tung-yu's the man." - -"Perhaps he is. Have you a copy of that advertisement?" - -"No. But I reckon Ainsleigh has. Ain't you going to see him?" - -Rogers nodded. "Straight away. And I thank you for what you have -told me. You want him hanged I presume." - -"Well no I reckon not. He's in my way, but I can lay him out on -my own, without the lynching biznai." - -"You are fairer than your aunt," said the detective once more. - -"Go slow. She's only an acid-drop, and you can't size her up, -just as an ordinary girl. She was crazy on Markham, the father -of this young Ainsleigh, and----" - -"And proposes to hang the son to avenge herself on his father. A -nice woman, truly. But it seems to me Mr. Burgh that if anyone -killed Miss Wharf, Hwei is the man." - -"Might be. He wasn't at the ball anyhow. Tung-yu was." - -"But Tung-yu--as I understand from Miss Pewsey--intended to call the -next day--to-day that is--and buy the fan for five thousand." - -"Huh," Clarence heaved up his shoulder again, "perhaps he thought -he'd settle in another way. 'Day. I'll be along here whenever you like -to call. I wish to see this biznai through, you bet." - -Rodgers departed, and sought out Rupert at Royabay. The young -man was walking up and down the terrace smoking furiously. At -the sight of the stranger he frowned and Rodgers noted that he -looked worn and ill. "Might be money worries," thought the -detective, "and it might be the other thing." - -However, he kept these thoughts to himself and merely detailed what he -had learned from Miss Pewsey and set forth the accusation she brought -against him. Ainsleigh heard the detective quietly enough, and smiled -wearily when the explanation was concluded. "Miss Pewsey doesn't love -me," he said quietly, "and would like to see me out of the way, so -that Miss Rayner could marry her nephew." - -"I see," nodded Rodgers, "Miss Rayner will have the dead lady's -money, and the nephew is poor." - -"I really don't know," replied Rupert coldly, "Mr. Burgh is a -mystery to me. He comes from nowhere, though I believe he has -been in China." - -"And knows what about the fan?" - -"I think so. At all events, young Walker declares that Burgh was -talking to a Chinaman near the Mansion House. Burgh admits this, -and also admits that the Chinaman was Hwei, who put in that -advertisement. - -"I'm inclined to suspect Hwei himself," said Rodgers looking -keenly at the worn face of the young man, "but this silk -tie----" - -"It is mine, Mr. Rodgers. Miss Rayner gave it to me last night." - -"So Miss Pewsey says--on the balcony." - -"Quite so. Miss Pewsey was spying and saw the tie given. As the -colours are rather pronounced, she could easily identify it. I -took it to the cloak-room and placed it in the pocket of my -overcoat." - -"And took it out again?" - -"No." Rupert rose and grew crimson, "surely you are not so -unjust as to believe Miss Pewsey's malignant tale." - -"You may be sure, Mr. Ainsleigh, that I'll act fairly towards -you," said the detective dryly, "but the tie having been used to -strangle--" - -"I don't know how it came round her throat," interrupted -Ainsleigh imperiously, "I placed the tie in my overcoat -pocket--that was the last I saw of it, until I noticed it on -Miss Wharf's dead body." - -"Did anyone else see the tie?" - -"Yes, Major Tidman?" - -"Who is he?" - -"A retired Army man--South American Army--who stops at Bristol -Hotel. He is much respected here. I went to the cloak room, and -found him talking to Tung-yu. Both, saw me place the tie in my -coat." - -Rodgers sat up. "Oh," said he opening his eyes widely, "then -Tung-yu saw you place the tie in the coat." - -"He did, but if you suspect he took it out again, I think you -are wrong. He left the room and I exchanged a few words with -Major Tidman." - -"What about?" - -"About this fan. Major Tidman told me to leave it alone. But of -course I never intended to meddle with it. Miss Wharf had it, -and she hated me too much to let me handle it, though she did -give me the chance of making the money," said Rupert, with an -after thought. - -"Eh, how was that?" - -"She offered to let me have the fan if I gave up my claim to -Miss Rayner, whom she desired should marry Mr. Burgh, I -refused." - -"Humph," said Rodgers again, "and how does Major Tidman come to -know about the fan?" - -"I refer you to him for an answer." - -"And how did he come to know Tung-yu?" - -"I believe he met him in Canton," replied Rupert restlessly, "he -had some adventure there--?" - -"Connected with this ubiquitous fan?" asked Rodgers sharply. - -"Yes. He promised to tell me the adventure to-day, but I had not -seen him yet." - -"Humph. He may come after all. I'll call on this gentleman. At -the Bristol you say. Quite so," Rodgers took a note. "Now then -Mr. Ainsleigh, tell me how you came to go up about the advertisement?" - -Rupert related his father's dealings with Lo-Keong, and referred -to the secret said to be connected with the fan. The detective -heard him in silence, and appeared to be struck by his frankness. "I -think it's one of the most complicated cases I ever had to do with, -Mr. Ainsleigh, and will take a lot of searching into." - -"I hope you don't suspect me?" - -"Humph, the tie is, strangely enough, the rope used to strangle -this woman, and you admit that it is yours. But Tung-yu saw you -put it in your overcoat pocket, and he wanted the fan--" - -"For five thousand pounds remember. Hwei was the one who -threatened to gain the fan, by killing." - -"Don't defend Tung-yu too much," said the detective dryly, "your -position is not a pleasant one and--" - -"Do you mean to arrest me?" asked Rupert rising angrily. - -"Not at present. But no doubt at the inquest you can prove an -alibi." - -Rupert turned away, "I can't," he said in a low voice, "I was -walking outside smoking between eleven and twelve--on the -beach." - -"That's a pity, Mr. Ainsleigh, I may have to arrest you after -all. But who is this gentleman. Major Tidman!--quite so. -Good-day Major." - - - - -CHAPTER XI -The Canton Adventure - - -Major Tidman who was standing at the foot of the terrace stared -at the man before him. "How do you know my name?" he asked, and -looked towards Rupert for a reply. - -Mr. Rodgers produced a red silk handkerchief and wiped his face -for it was noon and very warm. "A guess on my part," he -answered, "Mr. Ainsleigh said you might come here, to tell him -of your Canton adventure, and I fancied it might be you, Major -Tidman." - -"I am not aware," said the Major loftily, "why you should -interest yourself in my private affairs." - -"I interest myself in everybody's private affairs, when they -have to do with murder," said Rodgers quietly. - -Tidman stared and gasped. "Then you are?"-- - -"The detective in charge of the Wharf murder case. I am glad to -see you, sir," he laid a finger on Tidman's chest, "you have -something to tell me no doubt?" - -"No," said the Major gasping again, "I have not." - -Rupert looked at him suddenly and the Major's small eyes fell -before that direct gaze. "Let us go, into the library," said -Ainsleigh tranquilly, "we may as well have a long talk before I -am arrested." - -Tidman jumped. "Arrested," he cried staring. - -Something in his looks, made Rodgers take the cue thus offered, -"I may have to arrest Mr. Ainsleigh for the murder," he said -significantly. - -"But that's rubbish, why should he murder Miss Wharf?" - -"On account of the fan," put in Rupert grimly. - -"I'll never believe that--never," said Tidman vigorously. - -Rodgers looked at him sideways. "Well you see," said he in a -cheerful voice. "Miss Wharf was strangled with a red and yellow -silk tie, belonging to Mr. Ainsleigh." - -"I know, and I saw him place that tie in his overcoat pocket." - -"You say that. Quite so. Mr. Ainsleigh might have taken it out -again." - -"No. He couldn't have done that. The attendant came back, and -remained in the room all the rest of the evening." - -"How do you know that?" - -"Because I returned to the cloak-room to see if Mr. Ainsleigh -was there. I learned from the attendant," said the Major -volubly, "that Mr. Ainsleigh and Mr. Burgh had been fighting--" - -"Oh," said the detective, "so Mr. Burgh knew of the tie also?" - -"He did not," put in young Ainsleigh rapidly, "he came in, after -I put the tie away. He insulted me, about--about a lady," said -Rupert hesitating, "and I knocked him down twice." - -"Didn't the attendant interfere?" - -"No. Burgh threw him a shilling and told him to cut. I ordered -the man to stay, but he obeyed Burgh. Then we had a row, and I -went away." - -"Leaving Mr. Burgh in the cloak-room?" asked Rodgers shrewdly. - -"Yes. But he knew nothing about the tie. He could not have taken -it. I am sure he didn't." - -The detective smiled in a puzzled manner. "Upon my word Mr. -Ainsleigh, you defend everyone. First Tung-yu, now Mr. Burgh, -who is your enemy." - -"I have so many enemies," said Rupert with a shrug, "Tung-yu -told me that Burgh and Forge and Major Tidman were my enemies." - -"That's a lie on Tung-yu's part," chimed in the Major angrily. -"I am not your enemy." - -Rupert turned on him quickly. "Prove it then," he said, sharply, -"by stating that I was with you on the beach last night after -eleven." - -"Oh, oh," cried Rodgers smiling, "so you can prove an alibi -after all, Mr. Ainsleigh." - -"Yes," said Rupert shortly. "But I did not wish to speak, until -I heard what Major Tidman had to say." - -Rodgers shook his head. "You have too nice a sense of honour," -was his remark, "or else you are very deep." - -Rupert did not reply. His eyes were fixed on the Major's face, -which changed to various colours. "You knew my father well -Tidman?" - -"Yes. We were old friends--good friends," faltered the other. - -"Do you know how he died?" - -"No I do not." The Major wiped his face, "I can safely say I do -not." - -"But you know he was murdered." - -The Major started. "Who told you that?" - -"Tung-yu, and you know Tung-yu, who might have explained the -circumstances of my father's death to you." - -"He did not," said Tidman earnestly, "but I heard that Mr. -Ainsleigh did die by violence. I don't know under what circumstances." - -"This is all very well gentlemen," said the detective, "but it -does not help me." - -"It may help you, Mr. Rodgers. The murder of Miss Wharf is connected -with this fan, and the Major can tell you about his Canton adventure -which has to do with it also." - -Major Tidman turned grey and his face looked fearful, "I came to -tell you, Rupert," he said trying to be calm, "but it won't help -this man," he nodded towards Rodgers, "to find the assassin." - -"We'll see about that," replied Rodgers briskly, "let us go in -and sit down. The fan is at the bottom of this business, and -when I learn all about it, I may know how to act." - -The Major shrugged his plump shoulders and walked towards the -open French window. When he passed through to the library, the -detective and Ainsleigh followed. In a few minutes, they were -comfortably seated. Rupert asked the two if they would have some -refreshments, and receiving a reply in the affirmative, rang the -bell. "Though mind you, Mr. Ainsleigh," said Rodgers, "this -drinking a glass of wine doesn't stop me from arresting you, if -I see fit." - -"You can set your mind at rest," said Rupert coldly, "I have no -wish to tie you down to a bread and salt treaty. Some wine, Mrs. -Petley." - -The housekeeper, who had entered, was as plump as ever, but her -face looked yellow, and old, and haggard, and there was a -terrified look in her eyes. In strange contrast to her usual -volubility, she did not speak a word, but dropping a curtsey, -went out. - -"That woman looks scared," said the detective, - -"She _is_ scared," assented Rupert, "we have a ghost here, Mr. -Rodgers--the ghost of a monk, and Mrs. Petley thought she saw it -last night." - -"Really," said the detective with good-humoured contempt, "she -_thought_ she saw a ghost. What nonsense." - -"No, sir. It ain't nonsense." - -It was the housekeeper who spoke. Having seen the Major coming up the -avenue, she knew that he would require his usual glass of port, and -therefore had prepared the tray, while the conversation was taking place -on the terrace. This accounted for her quick return, and she set down -the tray with the jingling glasses and decanter as she spoke. "It was -a ghost, sure enough," said Mrs. Petley, when the small table was -placed before the three gentlemen, "the ghost of Abbot Raoul. I've seen -him times and again, but never so plainly as last night. It was between -eleven and twelve," added Mrs. Petley without waiting for permission to -speak, "and I sat up for Master Rupert here. I took a walk outside, it -being fine and dry, and like a fool, I went in to the abbey." - -"Why shouldn't you go there?" asked Rodgers. - -"Because Abbot Raoul always walks where he was burnt," replied -Mrs. Petley, "and there he was sure enough. No moonlight could I -see, but the stars gave a faint light, and he was near the -square--the accursed square where they burnt the poor soul. I -gave one screech as he swept past in his long robes and a cowl, -and when I come to myself on the damp grass, he was gone. I -hurried in and told Petley, who came out and searched, but bless -you," went on the housekeeper with contempt, "he couldn't find a -thing that had gone back to the other world--not he." - -"It was a dream, Mrs. Petley," said Rupert soothingly. - -"No, sir. Trouble is coming to the Ainsleighs, as always does -when the Abbot walks. And this morning I went out and found -this," and Mrs. Petley, fishing in her capacious pocket, -produced a small stick which smelt like cinnamon. Round it was a -roll of scarlet paper inscribed with queer characters. Rupert -stretched out his hand to take it, but the detective anticipated -him. - -"It's a joss-stick," said Rodgers. "I've seen them in the -Whitechapel opium dens. Humph! Why should the ghost of an old -monk use a joss-stick, like the Chinese?" - -Before anyone could reply, Mrs. Petley gave a cry, "I told you -trouble was coming, Master Rupert, dear," she said with the -tears streaming from her fat face, "and anything to do with that -weary Chiner where your poor pa lost his life always do bring -trouble. Oh, dear me," she put her silk apron to her eyes and -walked slowly out of the room. "I must tell my John. He may be -able to say what's coming, as he have a gift of prophecy, that -he have." - -When Mrs. Petley closed the door after her, the three men looked -at one another. "Do you believe in this ghost, Mr. Ainsleigh?" -asked the detective, examining the joss-stick. - -Rupert did not give a direct answer. "I don't know what to -believe, Mr. Rodgers. Our family traditions have always pointed -to the walking of of Abbot Raoul before trouble, and it might be -so. I have never seen the ghost myself, though." - -"Your ghost is a Chinaman," said the detective, tapping the -stick. - -"But what would a Chinaman be doing in the cloisters?" - -"Ah. That's what we've got to find out. There was a yacht in -Marport Harbour last night, which came at midday, and departed -in a hurry after midnight. Burgh says he believes Tung-yu went -away in her, after committing the murder." - -"Even if he did," said Rupert, calmly, "that does not show how -the joss-stick came here, or why a Chinaman should be masquerading as -a monk, for that, I take it, is your meaning." - -"It is. I believe there were other Chinamen on board that boat," -was the detective's reply. "Perhaps this man Hwei came to the -Abbey." - -"He might have come," said Ainsleigh, carelessly. - -"Or Tung-yu," went on Rodgers. - -"No," said the Major who had kept silent all this time, but had -observed everything, "it was not Tung-yu's day." - -Rodgers turned on him. "What do you mean by that?" - -The Major settled himself more comfortably in his chair. "I'll -tell you my adventure at Canton first," he said, "and then you -may understand. I can't get to the bottom of the matter myself, -for why Lo-Keong should have a private god of good luck is more -than I can tell." - -The others looked at him, amazed at this queer speech. "What is -this private god?" asked the detective. - -"I don't know, save that it is called Kwang-ho." - -Rupert started. "That was the god mentioned in the -advertisement." - -"Yes, so it was," replied the Major, quietly, "but just you wait -and hear my story. It may lead to something being discovered." - -"One moment, Mr. Ainsleigh. Show me the advertisement." - -Rupert rose, and going to the writing-desk took therefrom the -slip he had cut from the paper. Rodgers read it, quietly. "I -see. Here is mentioned the doom of the god, Kwang-ho." - -"Lo-Keong's private god of good luck," said the Major. - -"Are there private as well as public gods in China?" - -Tidman looked perplexed. "I can't say. I know nothing. Wait and -hear what I can tell," he settled himself again and began to -speak rapidly. "I was in Canton seven years ago," said he, "I -had made my money here, and didn't intend to travel again. But -Miss Wharf persuaded me to go to China, to see if I could find -out why Markham Ainsleigh had been killed." - -Rupert looked astonished. "Why? she hated my father." - -"She loved him first and hated him later," said Tidman, quietly, -"a fine woman was poor Miss Wharf. I was in love with her--" - -"I never knew that Tidman." - -"I was though," said the Major, "and Miss Pewsey hated me for -being in love with her. I spoke badly of Miss Wharf to you -Ainsleigh because I was angered with her--" - -"You called her a mass of granite." - -"And so she is," said the Major angrily, "she promised to marry -me if I went to China and learned how your father came by his -death. I did go, but I came back without learning more, than -that he was murdered, so Miss Wharf refused to keep her promise. -I believe it was that Pewsey cat's fault." - -"Well--well--go on," said Rodgers looking at his watch, "all this -business is very round-about. I want to get on with my work." - -"This may have to do with it," said the Major smartly. "Well, I -was in Canton, and intended to go up to the Kan-su province to -make enquiries. I met Forge in Canton. He had just come from -Pekin, and showed me round. He laughed at the idea that Markham -had died by violence, and said it was dysentery." - -"So he always said," murmured Rupert, who listened intently. - -"And told a lie," retorted Tidman, "however I believed him, but -all the same I intended to make enquiries at the mine of the -Hwei River in the Kan-su province. But I stopped in Canton with -Forge for a time, as he said he would go up with me. In some -way, the fact of my trying to learn the truth about Markam's -death got about." - -"No doubt Forge told it to others," suggested Rupert. - -"I don't know. I never got to the bottom of the business. But -one day a half-starved Chinaman stopped me in the street, and -told me he could explain, if I came with him. I went to a -miserable house in a low part of the city. The man closed the -door, and then drew a fan from his breast--" - -"The fan in question?" asked Rodgers making a note. - -"Yes--the very article. He told me that this fan would reveal -the truth, and offered it to me." - -"For money?" - -"No. He refused to take a penny. He seemed anxious to get rid of -the fan, and kept looking round everywhere as though he thought -someone might be listening. I asked him how the fan could tell -about the death, but all he said, was, that it could." - -"But in what way?" asked Ainsleigh, puzzled. - -"I really don't know," said the Major, with an air of fatigue. -"I am telling you all I know. I took the fan and cleared, and -got home safely enough. Then I hid away the fan--where it -doesn't matter; but I have travelled so much that I always keep -a secret place for money and valuables. I placed the fan there, -though I really didn't know what to make of the matter. After a -few days I came to my rooms to find that everything had been -ripped open and smashed and searched--" - -"And the fan was gone," said Rodgers. - -"Not it. They--whosoever they were who searched, could not find -my hiding place. Well, a day or two later, as I was walking -along the street at night, I was seized up and gagged, and -carried to some low Chinese house. There a Chinaman examined me, -and asked me what I had done with the fan--" - -"What sort of a man was he?" asked Rupert, "would you know him -again?" - -The Major looked doubtful. "Chinamen are all so alike," he said, -"but this chap had only one eye, and was a villainous looking -beast. He declared that he knew the first Celestial had given me -the fan, and that he wanted it. I refused to give it up. He took -out a knife, and said he would slice me up. Oh," broke off the -Major looking grey and old, "however shall I forget that -terrible moment, Ainsleigh. Do you wonder that I shudder to -relate this adventure, and that I refuse to speak of it. I was -in that miserable place, in the midst of a horde of Chinamen, -bound and helpless, with a knife at my throat. I never did care -for death," said Tidman boldly, "but to be cut slowly into -slices, was more than I could stand." - -"Why didn't you give up the fan then?" asked Rodgers. - -"Because I made up my mind that slicing or no slicing, I wasn't -going to be bullied by a lot of heathen devils. The position was -awful, but I'm an Englishman, and I resolved to hold off to the -last moment, I dare say I would have given up the fan after all, -as the one-eyed brute began to cut me up, I lost a big toe--" - -"Oh," said Rupert, while Rodgers shook his head, "did this man -cut a toe off?" - -"Yes--my big toe. I was about to give in, when suddenly a small -Chinese boy dressed in red--queerly enough, as the Chinese don't -go in much for that colour--appeared and said something. The -one-eyed Chinaman scowled, and put his knife away. Then he -cleared out with the boy and his other friends and I was left -alone. Then with the loss of blood, and the pain of my toe I -fainted." - -"No wonder," said Ainsleigh, "I don't blame you. Well?" - -"Well, then I came to my senses in my own room. Forge was with -me and said that he had traced me to the hovel and had rescued -me with the aid of the Canton police. He declared that I would -have to leave Canton at once, or this one-eyed Chinaman would be -after me. I agreed, and with Forge I went that very day on board -a homeward-bound steamer. I thanked Forge for having helped me, -and he asked if I would give him the fan as a reward. I refused, -as I wanted to know how it could tell about Markham's death. -Forge said that if I kept possession of the fan, the one-eyed -Chinaman would track me to England and kill me. But I held out, -till I got to Marport. Then I grew weary of Forge worrying me, -particularly as he promised to do what he could to learn the -secret of the fan, and help me to marry Miss Wharf. So he took -the fan, and then, as you know, Ainsleigh, he took it out to -China again, where it fell into the hands of a pirate from whom -Clarence Burgh received it." - -"But how did it get from Dr. Forge's hands into those of the -pirate?" asked Rodgers curiously. - -"I don't know; you can ask Forge. He lives here?" - -The detective took a note of the doctor's address. "That's all -right," he said, "there's no doubt the poor lady was killed to -procure this fan. Did you tell her of your adventure?" - -"No," said the Major with a shudder. "I merely said that I could -not learn how Markham was killed and she refused to marry me. I -did not care about speaking of the adventure. You know how the -fan came into Miss Wharf's possession Mr. Rodgers?" - -"Yes," the detective nodded, "Mr. Burgh told me, but I'll have -another talk with him. Humph. It seems to me that one of these -Chinamen killed Miss Wharf, and that the tie was used to lay the -blame on Mr. Ainsleigh here." - -"Well," said Ainsleigh drawing a breath, "I am glad to hear that -you don't suspect me, but I can't think that Tung-yu stole the -tie, even though he did see me place it in the coat." - -"I'll look after that cloak-room attendant," said Rodgers, -making another note, "and he'll have to give an account of -himself. But I don't see what this private god Kwang-ho has to -do with the matter." - -"I can only tell you this," said Major Tidman, "I had a cold -last night and stopped in my room. But I heard that Tung-yu was -down the stairs, and, as I knew him in Canton, I went to have a -look for him. He was a pleasant companion in Canton." - -"Did you tell him about the fan and your adventure?" - -"No, Ainsleigh, and I was annoyed that you should have let slip -that I had such an adventure, I don't want to be mixed up in the -matter. Tung-yu is nice enough, but if he has to do with the fan -he is quite capable of turning nasty and making things unpleasant for -me. But I mentioned about his advertisement, and how I came to know of -it through you. He confessed that Lo-Keong had lost the fan and wished -it back again, as it had to do with some family business. The finding -of it was referred to the god Kwang-ho, and the priest of the god, said -that two men were to search for the fan." - -"Hwei and Tung-yu." - -"Yes. They were to search on alternate days. If Hwei found it he -was to kill the person from whom he got it. If it was Tung-yu's -day he was to give the fortunate person five thousand pounds." - -"And whose day was it on the night of the crime?" - -"Hwei's," said the Major, "that was why Tung-yu could not buy -the fan when Miss Wharf offered it to him." - - - - -CHAPTER XII -At the Inquest - - -When Mr. Orlando Rodgers of the C.I.D. rolled into the Superintendent's -office the next day to relate what he had heard, he was not so glib -as usual. After sleeping on the extraordinary tale he had heard from -Major Tidman, and considering the fragments imparted by Clarence Burgh, -and young Ainsleigh, he came to look on the matter as something to do -with the Arabian Nights. The fan which the deceased lady had carried -at the ball was certainly gone, and the whole of these marvellous -matters connected with China, hung on the fan. But Miss Wharf may -have been murdered for some other reason, and Rodgers was half -inclined, when looking into the case in the cold searching morning -light, to abandon the fan theory. But he delayed doing this until -he had consulted with Superintendent Young, who looked after the -Marport police. - -"What do you think of it?" he asked, when his tale was told. The -Superintendent was a tall thin man with a cold eye and a -distrustful manner. He believed only half he saw, and absolutely -nothing he heard. Consequently when Rodgers ended, and his -opinion was asked, he sniffed disdainfully, and put on his most -official expression. "It's a fairy tale," said Young in his dry -voice, which was like the creaking of a rusty wheel. - -"Well now, the woman was murdered." - -"But not for this fan, Mr. Rodgers." - -"Then what motive do you think--?" - -"I don't undertake to say, sir. Let us gather all the evidence -we can and submit it to an intelligent jury at the inquest. It -takes place to-day at the public house near the corner of the -Cliff Road and not far from Ivy Lodge. When the jury has -inspected the body, it will sit with the Coroner at the Bull's -Head." - -"A Chinaman calling himself Tung-yu was at the ball you know," -said Rodgers, unwilling to abandon the theory in spite of his -doubts. - -"Where is he now?" - -"I can't say. Mr. Christopher Walker brought him down, and I -went to see that young gentleman before he departed for business -this morning. He told me that Tung-yu was a clerk in the same -firm of tea merchants as he was employed with, and had not been -at the office since he left to come to the ball. Mr. Walker last -saw Tung-yu at the door of the hotel, looking out across the -pier." - -"Well," said Young drily. - -"That yacht was there," went on Rodgers, "and showed a green -light so it's just possible that Mr. Burgh may be right and that -the Chinaman did steam away in her." - -"Well then, search for the yacht." - -"I intend to, and when I find her--" - -"Mr. Tung-yu will have an explanation. No, Mr. Rodgers," said -the Superintendent rising, "I can't believe all this business is -about a trifle such as this fan. Some more serious motive is at -the bottom of this murder. Now Mr. Ainsleigh's tie--" - -"I can explain that," said the detective, and he did. - -Young listened disbelievingly. "So he says," was his comment. - -"But I don't think Mr. Ainsleigh is the sort of man to commit a -brutal crime like this, and in so public a place." - -"Everyone's capable of committing a crime if there's anything to -be gained," was the Superintendent's philosophy, "and Mr. -Ainsleigh's very agreeable manner with which you appear to be -struck, may be a mask to hide an evil nature." - -"Oh rubbish; begging your pardon Mr. Young. Look at this -joss-stick," and Rodgers held it out, "that was found in the -ruins of Royabay Abbey, so you see some Chinaman must be mixed -up in the job. I am beginning to believe that the tale may be -true after all." - -"It's too wild--too far-fetched. I can't believe it." - -"Because you haven't imagination." - -"We don't want imagination in this matter, Mr. Rodgers. Facts -sir." - -Rodgers got up and put on his hat. "Well, we'll not be able to -agree, I can see that," said he, "and as the case is in my -hands, I am going away to look after evidence." - -"Why not arrest Mr. Ainsleigh?" - -"Because the evidence against him is not sufficiently strong," -the detective sat down again. "See here Mr. Superintendent, if I -so chose I could manufacture a case against three of these -people at least, and give it to them pretty strong too. -Supposing, for the sake of theorising mind, we say Mr. Ainsleigh -killed the woman--" - -"Which I am inclined to think he did, on the tie's evidence." - -"Very good, I can show you how strong you can make the case -against him, Mr. Young. This young man was at the ball, he hated -the deceased and she hated him on account of the difficulty of -the marriage with Miss Rayner. Ainsleigh wants money badly, and -might have killed the old woman to get the fan and sell it for -five thousand pounds. Also by marrying Miss Rayner who will -inherit Miss Wharf's money, he gets rid of a mortgage that's -troubling him. What was easier for him, than to pretend to put -the silk scarf in his coat pocket, so as to blind those who saw -him do it, and then to lure Miss Wharf out on to those steps and -scrag her. Then he could pass the fan to Tung-yu who wanted it, -and arrange about the money being paid. After that and when -Tung-yu had gone off to the yacht, Mr. Ainsleigh could slip back -into the ball-room and assist in finding the body. And remember, -he says, he was strolling on the beach smoking, between the -hours of eleven and twelve, and won't prove an alibi, though -between ourselves I think he can through Major Tidman." - -"Well," said Young dryly, "doesn't this go to prove his guilt." - -"I can prove Tung-yu's in the same way," said Rodger's coolly, -"he was in the cloak-room when Mr. Ainsleigh placed the scarf in -the coat. He could easily have stolen it, as these Chinamen are -clever thieves, and have then lured Miss Wharf on to the steps -under the pretence of treating about the fan. Suddenly he slips -the scarf round her throat before she can cry out, goes down the -steps and on to the beach where a boat is waiting for him, and -by now, may be on his way to his employer the Mandarin Lo-Keong." - -"It sounds feasible I admit, but--" - -"One moment," went on Rodgers eagerly, "quite as strong a case -can be made out against Major Tidman. He did not come to the -ball, but lurked in his room all the evening. Yet he came down -to see Tang-yu--what about?--to sell the fan of course--" - -"You can't prove that." - -"Am I proving anything? I am simply showing you what strong -cases can be built up out of nothing. Well then, Tidman sees the -scarf put in the coat by a young man, whom he knows is at enmity -with the deceased, and takes it out again. He gets Miss Wharf to -come on to the terrace--any pretext will do, as he is her lover -and her old friend. There, he strangles her on the steps and -taking the fan, passes it along to the Chinaman who makes for -the yacht. So you see if I chose I can build up a case against -each of these three gentlemen, and each equally strong. Why if I -had a mind to entangle young Mr. Burgh in the affair I could do -so." - -"But Tung-yu, Mr. Burgh and Major Tidman might prove alibi's." - -"So they might, and Mr. Ainsleigh might do so also." - -"He has not done so yet and if he was in danger, he would." - -"Quite so," said Rodgers quickly, and seeing the slip, "and his -very reluctance to prove an alibi--for surely someone besides -Tidman must have seen him on the beach--shows me he is innocent. -However this isn't business Mr. Young, so I'll go and see what -evidence I can gather." - -So to Dr. Forge went the detective, feeling very bewildered over -the case. And small blame to him, for the matter was surely most -perplexing. It is only in novels that the heaven-born detective -(in the confidence of the author) displays wonderful cleverness -in finding clues where none exist. But a flesh and blood worker -like Rodgers had to puzzle out the matter in real life as best -he could. He was not at all sanguine that he would run down the -assassin of Miss Wharf. On the face of it, Rupert Ainsleigh -appeared to be guilty, and Rodgers doubted his guilt for this -very reason. "I believe one of these Chinaman did it," said -Rodgers as he rang Forge's bell. - -Dr. Forge was within, and consented at once to see the -detective. When the two were in the Chinese room, Rodgers -unfolded himself, and asked Forge, who knew the Chinese -character, what he thought. - -"My dear sir, the case is plain," said Forge calmly, "Tung-yu -gave Hwei the office, and lured Miss Wharf on to the steps where -Hwei strangled her with the scarf stolen by Tung-yu so as to -throw suspicion on Mr. Ainsleigh." - -"Humph. It looks like it," said Rodgers musingly. "So you -believe this wild story of Major Tidman's." - -"I _know_ it is true," said Forge quietly. "I helped him to get free -as he related. I was a partner with Mr. Markham Ainsleigh in the mine -on the Hwei River. I went to Pekin about a concession, and while I was -away, Mr. Ainsleigh died of dysentery. As to the fan,--I can't exactly -say. I never knew of this private god business, but it's the kind of -thing Lo-Keong might invent. He is a very superstitious man, and like -Napoleon, he believes in his star. He was concerned in the Boxer -rebellion, but afterwards he joined the Court party of the Dowager -Empress who is now all powerful. I never saw the fan in his hand, but -it might have to do with a secret." - -"What kind of a secret?" - -"I can't say unless it has to do with Lo-Keong's political -fortunes. He has many enemies, who envy his rapid rise. These -enemies probably stole the fan to ruin him. How this coolie, who -gave it to Major Tidman, got hold of it I don't know. But he was -glad to get rid of it, which makes me think the story of the -alternate days and the blessing of the god Kwang-ho might be -true. The Chinese do not think as we do Mr. Rodgers, and have -their own way of settling these matters. The attack on Tidman, -when he had the fan in Canton, shows clearer than ever, that it -was wanted by Lo-Keong's enemies. He gave it to me--" - -"Why did you want it?" - -"For two reasons," said Forge quietly, "in the first place from -what happened to Tidman I saw that while he held the fan he was -in danger--" - -"But then you were in the same danger," objected the detective. - -"I was, and I expected trouble. But I was better able to deal -with the matter than Tidman as I understand the Chinese -character. I got the fan in London and locked it up in yonder -cabinet, I thought it was there all the time, and when I found -it gone, I was quite annoyed, as Major Tidman will tell you. -Then I recollected that I had taken it back to China to give to -Lo-Keong. That is my second reason Mr. Rodgers. I knew I could -get a concession I wanted through Lo-Keong's influence, and I -did. So the fan went back to him." - -"And you forgot that you had given it." - -"I did. It seems strange to you, but as I told Tidman and Miss -Pewsey, my memory is impaired by opium smoking. However, that is -the story of the fan, and Burgh got it from the hand of the dead -pirate. How the pirate came possessed of it I can't say. -Apparently Lo-Keong lost it again." - -"He couldn't have valued it much, if he lost it so often." - -"He valued it at five thousand pounds and more," said the Doctor -dryly, "how it was lost I can't say. I may find out when I go to -China again, in a few months. Lo-Keong is in Pekin, and, as we -are friends, he will tell me, and show me the fan again." - -"Ah. Then you believe----" - -"I believe it is on its way to Lo-Keong, and that Tung-yu and -Hwei came together down here to get it. When only one was on the -spot this god business of alternate days made the matter -difficult. With both together, the owner of the fan was bound to -be killed or made rich. Unfortunately for Miss Wharf the day or -night was Hwei's and he carried out the order of the god -Kwang-ho by strangling her." - -"Well," said Rodgers rising, "all I can say is that I'm glad I -do not live in China. How much of this is to be made public." - -"My advice to you is to make nothing public, or as little as you -can," said Dr. Forge dryly, "you see how persistent these -Chinamen are. You make trouble and you may be killed also. Your -being in England won't save you any more than it saved Miss -Wharf, poor soul." - -"I shall do my duty in spite of all," said Rodgers coolly, "I am -not going to be frightened by a couple of Chinese brutes." - -"Very clever brutes," said Forge softly, but Rodgers took no -notice and marched away with his head in the air. Come what may, -he was determined to punish the assassin of Miss Wharf and if it -was Hwei, the man would have to be caught. - -"I'll go to Pekin myself for him," said Rodgers angrily, "I'm -not going to be bested by these barbarians." - -Little that was new came to his hand before the inquest, which -was a comparatively tame affair. The jury inspected the body and -then adjourned to the Bull's Head to hear the case. Rodgers set -forth what evidence he had gained, but touched as lightly as -possible on the Chinese business. He called Dr. Forge who -deposed to having examined the body and asserted that Miss Wharf -had been killed between eleven and twelve. She must have been -strangled almost instantaneously as, had she cried out, she -would have been overheard by those on the terrace. This -evidence caused but little sensation. - -When Rupert was called however, all were excited. He deposed as -to the scarf which he had received from Olivia, and said what he -had done with it. He declared that he had been walking on the -beach smoking, and only returned to the ball-room shortly before -midnight when the body was discovered. He stated that he had -spoken to Major Tidman on the beach. And thus proved an alibi -clearly enough. - -The rest of the evidence was not very important. Chris Walker -told how he had brought Tung-yu to the ball and handed in a slip -of advertisement, and then Rupert was recalled to tell what he -knew. Tidman related his interview with Tung-yu, and described -how both had seen Rupert place the tie in the overcoat pocket. -Then it appeared that the whole of the case turned on the fact -that the scarf had been removed from the pocket. No one knew. -Miss Pewsey said that Rupert took it: but her evidence was so -obviously prejudiced that the jury would not believe all she -said. - -Lotty Dean who was at the ball, declared that she saw Miss Wharf -cross the terrace about eleven and go towards the floral arch on -the other side of which were the steps. She was quite alone, and -seemed tranquil, "she was fanning herself at the moment," said -the witness. - -"Ah!" said the Coroner, "then she had the fan at that time." - -"It was gone when we found the body," put in Miss Pewsey, and -was rebuked for speaking out of order. - -The interest of the case turned on the evidence of Dalham, the -attendant in the cloak-room. He was a dissipated-looking man, -and gave his evidence very unwillingly. Owing to his having left -the cloak-room at Burgh's request, Rupert, as he threatened to -do, had reported him to the manager and Mr. Dalham had been -dismissed. This loss of his situation did not make him any the -sweeter towards Ainsleigh, but all the same, he could not state -on his oath, that the young man had returned to take the tie -again from the pocket. Nor had the Chinaman, or Major Tidman -returned. Dalham knew the Major well, and as he phrased it, -"would have spotted him at once," while the gay dress of Tung-yu -would have been equally conspicuous had he attempted to meddle -with a coat which did not belong to him. - -"You did not leave the room again?" asked the Coroner. - -"I only left it once," said Dalham. "Because Mr. Burgh and Mr. -Ainsleigh wanted to fight." - -"We've heard about that, and it has nothing to do with the -case," said the coroner. "But you were in the room the rest of -the evening?" - -"I've said so a dozen times sir," growled the badgered man. -"Lots of people came for their things and some late arrivals -left theirs but I was at my post all the time, except that once, -when I left Mr. Burgh with Mr. Ainsleigh. I never saw Major -Tidman nor Mr. Ainsleigh nor the Chinaman touch the cloak." - -The coroner called Burgh and asked him if he was alone in the -room at any time. Clarence frankly admitted that he was. "But as -I never saw Ainsleigh place the tie in the coat and never knew -that he possessed such a tie, I don't see how you can accuse -me." Much more evidence was given, but it all led to no result. -Finally the jury, having heard much more of the Chinese story -than Rodgers approved of, brought in a verdict against Tung-yu. -Hwei, they could say nothing about, as he had not been present. -But Tung-yu wanted the fan and the fan had disappeared, while -Tung-yu was also absent. "Wilful murder against Tung-yu," was -the verdict, and on hearing the evidence, and on reading all -that had been said in the papers, the general public agreed with -the verdict. Under the circumstances no other could have been -given. Only one person dissented. - -"It was that Ainsleigh who killed dearest Sophia," said Miss -Pewsey. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII -The Will - - -The funeral of Miss Wharf was attended by many people. Of course -all her friends came with the usual wreaths of flowers, but -owing to the tragic circumstances of her death, many strangers -were present. She was buried in the family vault with much -ceremony, and then the mourners departed talking of the crime. -It was the general opinion that Tung-yu,--who had not yet been -heard of,--was responsible for the death, and that he had sailed -away in the Stormy Petrel. Rodgers having returned to Town after -the inquest was making inquiries about the yacht. When he -discovered her, he hoped to learn particulars as to the flight -of Tung-yu. - -These many days Rupert had not seen Olivia, although he had -called at Ivy Lodge. But Miss Pewsey, who took charge of -everything in her usual meddlesome way, would not allow him to -be admitted. Olivia did not even know of his visit. She remained -in her room, and mourned the death of her aunt. Miss Wharf had -certainly been a good friend to her, but she could not be said -to have been a kindly aunt. All the same Olivia's conscience -pricked her, for having secretly married Rupert. As she now -thought, she should have told her aunt. But the marriage was -decided upon in a hurry, and when the girl had been more than -usually piqued by the insulting speeches of Miss Wharf. However, -the old woman was dead, and Olivia, little as she loved her, -wept for her tragic end. - -Miss Rayner, during her mourning, read the evidence given at the -inquest, and wondered why she had not been called as a witness, -if only to prove that she had given the scarf to Rupert. She -thought it extraordinary that Tung-yu should have used the tie -to strangle Miss Wharf, and could not think how it came into his -possession. After some thought she concluded, that he had taken -the scarf from Rupert's pocket, so as to implicate him in the -crime, and had bribed Dalham the attendant, who certainly was -not above being bribed, to say nothing about the matter. If this -were the case, Dalham would probably blackmail Tung-yu for the -rest of his life, as he was just the kind of rascal to make -money in shady ways. Then it occurred to Olivia that as Tung-yu -had sailed for China, presumably in the yacht, Dalham would not -be able to make a milch cow of him. However, whether Tung-yu was -guilty or not, she cared little. Rupert was safe, in spite of -the evidence of the scarf, and so long as he escaped being -arrested, the girl felt perfectly happy. - -After the funeral Olivia came downstairs again, and found Miss -Pewsey looking after things as usual. The little old maid was -most polite, and it seemed as though she was now anxious to make -much of Olivia, thinking she would inherit the money. Miss -Pewsey had not a shilling to bless herself with, and for years -had lived on the bounty of Miss Wharf. Now that Olivia was to be -the mistress of Ivy Lodge, Miss Pewsey appeared desirous of -making herself pleasant, so that she might remain. Olivia saw -through her newly born politeness, and, although she disliked -the woman, was not averse to her remaining for a time at least. - -"I should be glad for you to remain altogether," explained -Olivia when matters came to be discussed, "but of course now -that my aunt is gone I may marry Mr. Ainsleigh." - -"Oh he'll marry you quick enough for your money," snapped Miss -Pewsey, "not but what he's a handsome young fellow, but--" - -"Don't run down Rupert," interrupted Olivia flushing, "I love -him. You have never been just to him." - -Miss Pewsey coughed. "I don't think he is a very good young -man." - -"I hate good young men," said Olivia. "Mr. Chris Walker is one -of those who never cost his mother a single pang. Why my aunt -should wish me to marry such a milksop, I can't understand." - -"Well then, why not marry Clarence?" asked the old maid, "he is -not a milksop and has cost his mother--poor soul many a pang. -And he loves you dearly, Olivia. I should think you would be -able to live very nicely on five hundred a year and with this -house rent free." - -"If I come into possession of the property that is." - -"Oh, I am sure you will," said Miss Pewsey effusively. "To whom -should dear Sophia leave the money, if not to you, her nearest -relative." - -"She might have left it to you, for she loved you, while she -only tolerated me." - -Miss Pewsey threw up her mittened hands with a cry of dismay. -"Oh my dear there's no chance of my being so lucky. Sophia was -very close about money matters--" - -"Surely not with you. Miss Pewsey. She always consulted you in -everything. You had great influence over her." - -"If so, I made no use of it for my own benefit," said Miss -Pewsey with great dignity. "Sophia never consulted me about her -wills. I know she made several, and dictated the last just a -week before her death. While she was confined to her room with -that cold you know, Olivia. I suppose," Miss Pewsey tittered, "I -suppose she wanted to be amused." - -"I shouldn't think making one's will was amusing," said Olivia -dryly, "however, the lawyer will be here this afternoon to read -the will, and we shall know if I inherit." - -"I am sure you will get the money. And dear, you won't forget -your poor Lavinia," purred Miss Pewsey. "Let me remain here with -you, until you marry Mr. Ainsleigh, or until I marry -Theophilus." - -"Are you really going to marry Dr. Forge?" asked Miss Rayner, -looking with secret amazement at the withered face and shrunken -form of Miss Pewsey and wondering what the doctor could see in -her to make her his wife. - -"I really am," said Miss Pewsey emphatically and with a shrewd -look in her eyes. "And I see that you think it is ridiculous at -my age to marry. Also, I am not handsome I know. All the same, -Theophilus is willing to make me Mrs. Forge, and I dare say I'll -grace the position well enough. It isn't love," added Miss -Pewsey, "at our age dear that would be too absurd. We are simply -entering into a partnership. He has money and I have brains." - -"Dr. Forge has brains also." - -"Not so much brain power as I have. I am not lovely I know dear, -but I am clever," and Miss Pewsey drew herself up proudly. "Why -poor dear Sophia would never have died worth so much money but -for me. Ah, if she had only given me that fan when I asked her, -she would not have been killed and I should have got five -thousand pounds and more from Tung-yu for her. But she would -keep the fan," Miss Pewsey squeezed out a tear, "and so met with -her doom. That nasty Chinaman." Miss Pewsey shook a small fist. -"I wish he could hang." - -Olivia looked at her. "I heard that you disagreed with the -verdict Miss Pewsey." - -"Meaning that I said Mr. Ainsleigh was guilty," snapped the old -maid, "well I did, dear, but I have changed my mind." - -Miss Rayner did not believe this, for Miss Pewsey looked very -malignant as she spoke. Her change of opinion was made, merely -to adapt herself to circumstances and to retain a home until -such time as her marriage with Forge, would enable her to -dispense with Miss Rayner's help. However, Olivia did not argue -the point. She wished to keep on good terms with the old maid, -until Rupert declared the secret marriage. Then she could go to -the Abbey, and leave Miss Pewsey behind with all other -disagreeable things. - -With Pastor, the solicitor of the deceased lady, came Clarence -Burgh and Dr. Forge. Lady Jabe, more manly than ever, appeared -with Chris Walker, who had taken a holiday on purpose to hear -the will read, and Lady Jabe explained this to Miss Pewsey in a -whisper. "I know that poor Sophia wished Chris to marry Olivia," -she said, "so I thought the will might state that the money -would be left to her on such a condition. I therefore made Chris -ask for a holiday, so that he might hear of his good fortune." - -"Let us hope it will come," aid Miss Pewsey, dryly, "but fortune -or no fortune, Olivia will stick to young Ainsleigh." - -"He is a nice young man, but poor." - -"Chris is poor also. Yet you want him to marry Olivia." - -"I think Chris has a better character than young Ainsleigh, who -looks as though he has a will of his own. Now Chris has none. I -have broken it, and Olivia as Mrs. Walker, can order him about -like a slave. I hope Sophia has made the will as I wished." - -"You'll hear in a minute. For my part," added Miss Pewsey in her -spiteful way, "I hope Sophia has left the money to Olivia, on -condition that she marries Clarence, and keeps him at home." - -"And keeps him on the income," corrected Lady Jabe, who did not -at all approve of this speech. "No man should live on his wife." - -"You propose that Chris should do so." - -"Indeed no. He earns quite a good salary at the office, and I -could live with the young couple to prevent waste." - -"I am quite sure you would," said Miss Pewsey, "if you get the -money." - -Lady Jabe would have made a sharp reply, as Miss Wharf being -dead, she was under no obligation to curry favour with Miss -Pewsey. But at that moment she saw Chris talking to Olivia, and -as the girl seemed deeply interested, she pointed out the two -with her cane. "I see Chris is losing no time," she murmured, -"such a lover as he is." - -But had she heard Chris talking, she would not have been so -happy. The young man was simply replying to a question put by -Olivia, as to the whereabouts of Tung-yu. "I really don't know -where he is, Miss Rayner," said Chris, earnestly. "There was a -police-officer at our place the other day inquiring. But Tung-yu -has not been near Kum-gum Li's since I took him to the ball. I -believe he asked me to get him an invitation so that he might -kill your aunt." - -"Does Kum-gum Li know anything about him," asked Olivia. - -"No. He came with a letter of introduction from a mandarin----" - -"Lo-Keong?" - -"No. That is not the name--let me see--the Mandarin, Hop -Sing----" - -"Ah," said Forge, who was listening, "Lo-Keong's rival." - -"I never knew that. But Kum-gum Li gave Tung-yu a place as extra -clerk when he received the letter. He knows nothing more than -what the letter explained." - -"And what did it explain?" asked Forge with sudden interest. - -"I can't tell you," replied Chris coldly, "I am not in the -confidence of my employer, and if I were," he added fixing an -indignant eye on the sardonic face of the doctor, "I should say -nothing." - -"Quite right," replied Forge not at all disconcerted, "you keep -out of these Chinese affairs. There's danger in them." - -"Connected with the fan?" demanded Olivia. - -"Yes," said Forge slowly, "connected with the fan." - -Olivia being a woman and curious, would have asked further -questions, to which Dr. Forge might have hesitated to reply, but -that Miss Pewsey called her dear Theophilus to her side. The -will was about to be read and Miss Pewsey--so she said--wanted -support. Forge crossed to the withered little shrimp he had -chosen, heaven knows why, for his wife and sat down. The lawyer -opened an envelope and took out a rustling parchment. Just as he -cleared his throat, the door opened and the maid announced "Mr. -Ainsleigh." - -Miss Pewsey glared, and no one appeared glad to see him. Lady -Jabe least of all, as she knew he was a powerful rival to Chris. -But Rupert bowed to the company in silence, took no notice of -their cold looks, and walked over to where Olivia sat, a little -apart. He seated himself beside her. The girl smiled a little -faintly, and then gazed straight before her. No one made any -remark, as Pastor was beginning to read the will. - -Miss Wharf, it appeared, died worth one thousand a year and the -house and furniture and land of Ivy Lodge. Five hundred a year -went to a distant relative, as Miss Wharf was unable to leave it -to anyone else, by reason of only having a life interest in this -amount. Then a few personal bequests were left to Lady Jabe, to -Chris Walker, and to some other friends. Ivy Lodge, and the -furniture, and the land it was built on, and the remaining five -hundred a year was left to--Lavinia Pewsey. When the name was -mentioned the little old maid quivered, and Olivia, pale and -quiet, rose to her feet. In a moment Miss Pewsey, prepared for -battle, was on her feet also, and the two women looked at one -another. - -"You knew of this will," said Olivia quietly. - -"No," replied Miss Pewsey. - -"You did. And all your paying court to me was a blind, so that I -might not suspect Aunt Sophia had left the money to you." - -"Dearest Sophia left the money to whom she chose," said Miss -Pewsey, in a sharp, shrill voice, "do you mean to say, that I -exercised any undue influence over her?" - -"I say nothing," was Olivia's reply: "but hard on me as my aunt -was, I do not think she would have left me penniless, while the -money which belonged to my family goes to a perfect stranger." - -"A stranger," cried Miss Pewsey tossing her head, "am I a -stranger, indeed? I was hand and glove with dear Sophia when we -were at school together. I gave up my life to her----" - -"And you have got your reward," said Olivia bitterly. - -"As you say," retorted Miss Pewsey, tossing her head again, "but -the will is in order, and I had nothing to do with the making of -it. I appeal to Mr. Pastor." - -"Why, certainly," said the lawyer, looking on Olivia with -something like pity. "Miss Wharf gave me instructions to make a -new will, during the week before she met with her untimely end. -Miss Pewsey was not in the room----" - -"But no doubt she induced my aunt to cut me out of the will." - -"No," cried Miss Pewsey breathing very hard, and looking more -drab than ever. "I won't stand this. Your aunt had good cause to -take the money from you--oh you deceiving girl." - -At this Rupert suddenly rose and took Olivia's hand. He half -guessed what was coming, and looked at the spiteful face of the -heiress. Olivia stared. She could not understand. Miss Pewsey -was about to speak, when Mr. Pastor intervened. - -"May I be permitted to remark that I have not finished reading -the will of the deceased lady," said he sweetly. - -"There's no more money to be disposed of," said Olivia bitterly, -"my enemy has got it all." - -Pastor made a gesture of silence to prevent Miss Pewsey bursting -out into a volume of words. "There is no more money to be -disposed of as you say, Miss Rayner, but Miss Wharf sets forth -in the will why she disinherited you." - -"Ah," cried Olivia a light breaking in upon her, and reading the -truth in Miss Pewsey's look of triumph, "so my aunt knew----" - -"She knew that you had secretly married the gentleman beside -you." - -Everyone was on his or her feet by this time, and every look was -directed towards Olivia. "Is this true?" asked Lady Jabe. - -"Yes," cried Miss Pewsey, before either Rupert or Olivia could -speak, "of course it is true. Let them deny it if they can. I -heard Olivia say herself, that she had been married at a -registrar's." - -Miss Rayner, or rather Mrs. Ainsleigh turned on the little -woman, "I should like to know when I said that to you Miss -Pewsey?" - -"You never said it to me--oh dear no," said Miss Pewsey shrilly, -"you were not straightforward enough. But I heard--oh yes I -heard." - -"Miss Wharf," said the lawyer folding up the will, "told me that -she learned of this from Miss Pewsey, just before she called me -in, to make a new will. The five hundred a year was left to you -Miss----" - -"Mrs. Ainsleigh," said Rupert quickly. - -"Very good. To you Mrs. Ainsleigh, by a former will. But on -discovering the secret marriage, my client made a new -will--this," he shook it, "and Miss Pewsey benefits." - -"Miss Pewsey has every right to benefit," said Mrs. Ainsleigh in -a clear cold voice, "she has been well paid, for being a spy." - -"Spy," shrilled Miss Pewsey glaring, "yes I was a spy in the -interests of dearest Sophia. I followed you several times, when -you went to meet Mr. Ainsleigh near the flag-staff, and on the -last occasion----" - -"Ah," said Olivia tranquilly, "so I thought. I heard something -moving. It was you, concealed. Rupert said it was a rat--perhaps -he was right. Well Miss Pewsey you have gained your ends and -now----" - -"Now you leave my house," said the old maid, "yes, my house." - -Olivia made no reply but placed her hand within her husband's -arm. Rupert conducted her towards the door. "Mrs. Ainsleigh's -effects will be sent for," said he looking at Miss Pewsey, "we -will not trouble you further." - -"But the law will trouble _you_," cried Miss Pewsey, "you----" - -Rupert turned and looked at her. The venomous words died on her -lips. She dropped into her chair, while Ainsleigh and the -disinherited Olivia left Ivy Lodge to the woman, who had schemed -for it in so base a way. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV -A Mysterious Letter - - -If Miss Wharf's tragic death made a great sensation in Marport, -the announcement that Miss Rayner was married secretly to -Ainsleigh of Royabay made a still greater one. Some people -thought Olivia had behaved badly to her aunt, and these were -confirmed in their belief, by the story told by Miss Pewsey. But -others considered the marriage to be quite romantic, and, -knowing how Miss Wharf had tried to make her niece marry -Clarence, were pleased that the girl had thus circumvented the -schemes of the buccaneer. But, whether the critics were hostile -or favourable, they were all equally anxious to call at Royabay -and see its new mistress. - -Mrs. Ainsleigh received them quietly, and with a dignity which -compelled all to refrain from making remarks, unpleasant or -otherwise. She settled down rapidly to her new position, and -after a time, everyone was quite on her side. Certainly, a few -ill-disposed people agreed with Miss Pewsey, who could not say -anything sufficiently bad about Mrs. Ainsleigh: but on the -whole, people were anxious to welcome the new mistress of the -great place of Marport. Rupert and Olivia appeared to be very -happy, and after all--as someone said, "the marriage was their -own business." - -A month after the installation of Olivia at Royabay, her husband -received a visitor in the person of Dr. Forge. That melancholy -man made his appearance one afternoon, when the young couple -were in the garden, and therefore, they could not refuse to see -him. Olivia, had she been able, would certainly have declined -the visit, as she was aware that Forge intended to marry Miss -Pewsey next month. As it was, she had to be polite and she was -coldly so. Rupert also, was not very genial. From what John -Petley had said, and from what Tung-yu had hinted, he began to -think that Forge was not the friend he pretended to be, and -consequently the young man was on his guard. Dr. Forge saw this, -and seized the opportunity when Olivia went within,--which she -did as soon as politeness permitted,--to speak to his quondam -ward. - -"We don't appear to be friends," said the doctor. - -"I don't see how you can expect it," replied Rupert coldly, "you -marry Miss Pewsey next month, and she has been, and is, Olivia's -bitter enemy." - -"I am aware that my future wife is prejudiced," said he -deliberately, "but I assure you Rupert, she did not scheme for -that money." - -Ainsleigh scoffed. "Why she spied on Olivia and told Miss Wharf, -what we would rather had been kept silent." - -"I don't think you acted quite fairly towards Miss Wharf." - -"That is my business. I don't intend to defend myself," was the -young man's reply, "did you come to discuss this matter?" - -"No. I came to ask how this matter would effect your future." - -"In what way?" - -"In the way you stand with your creditors." - -Rupert did not reply immediately. The two were walking on the -lawn, but Rupert entered the door of the Abbey and strolled -round the ruins with Forge by his side. He mistrusted the man -intensely. "I should like to know if you are my friend?" he -asked, giving utterance to this mistrust. - -"Surely I am," was the quiet reply, "why should you think me to -be otherwise. Because I marry Miss Pewsey?" - -"No. You can marry whom you choose. I have nothing to do with -that. Dr. Forge, But when you were my guardian, why did you not -tell me that the property was so encumbered?" - -"I wanted your boyhood to be unclouded. And also," he added, -seeing Rupert make a gesture of contempt, "I thought you might -get money from China." - -Rupert started. "What do you mean by that?" - -"Well," said Forge deliberately and looking on the ground, "you -know that your father and I invested in a gold mine on the Hwei -River? Well we worked it for a long time until your father died -of dysentery--" - -"Are you sure he died of dysentery?" asked Ainsleigh sharply. - -"So far as I know he did," was Forge's patient reply, "as I told -you before, I was in Pekin when he died. But if you are in doubt -you should go to China and ask Lo-Keong." - -"What has he to do with it?" - -"This much," said Forge quietly, "and I am telling you, what I -have kept hitherto from every living creature. Your father and I -made money out of the mine--a great sum. I made the most--about -ten thousand pounds, but your father made at least eight -thousand." - -"And where is that money?" asked Rupert anxiously. - -"Lo-Keong has it. Yes! I went to Pekin to get a concession with -regard to buying or leasing more land. I left your father with -Lo-Keong. He was at that time a kind of foreman. But also, he -was in the confidence of the rebellious Boxer leaders. These -threatened to undermine the power of the Dowager Empress, who -was not then, so strong as she is now. As a matter of fact, -Lo-Keong himself was a leader of the Boxers. He came to us in -disguise, and worked up until he became our foreman; but he did -this, because he heard that the mine was paying, and wanted -money--" - -"Your money?" asked Ainsleigh deeply interested. - -"Yes, and the money belonging to your father--in all, eighteen -thousand pounds. When I was at Pekin, your father, who did not -understand the Chinese so well as I did, managed to make -trouble--" - -"In what way?" - -"He interfered with the religion of the coolies in some way--a -most disastrous thing to do. Lo-Keong took advantage of the riot -and robbed your father of the eighteen thousand pounds." - -"And killed my father." - -"Ah," said Forge quietly, "I really can't say that. It was it -reported to me at Pekin that Markham had died of dysentery. He -was buried near the mine. I was advised not to go back, as the -Chinese were enraged against the foreign devils. Lo-Keong took -the money and returned to his Boxers, where, with the money, he -attained to even greater power, than he formerly had possessed. -Afterwards he deserted his party and came on the side of the -Empress Dowager. She is a clever woman and was glad to get him, -so he speedily rose high at court. Now, he is very powerful." - -"And still holds my father's money." - -"Precisely, and mine also. I have been to China again and again, -to try and make Lo-Keong give up this money, and then, I -intended to pay you eight thousand pounds. But hitherto I have -failed. I am about to make a last attempt, as I sail for Canton -after Christmas. I had intended to go earlier, but I must marry -Miss Pewsey and leave her in charge of my house, as Mrs. Forge, -before I go. So now you know Rupert why I went so frequently to -China." - -"And what has the fan to do with all this?" - -"Nothing so far as I know. It is Lo-Keong's property and was a -bequest which he values. I understand that there is some secret -belonging to it, connected with political affairs, and which -make his enemies anxious to get hold of it." - -"Didn't you know the secret, when you possessed the fan?" - -"No," said Forge viciously, "I wish I had known it. If it could -have damaged Lo-Keong I certainly should have made every use of -it. He keeps me out of ten thousand pounds, and it's through his -influence with the Empress Dowager that I am prevented from -working the mine further. It is a rich mine, and if I worked it, -I could make a fortune. But Lo-Keong stopped that. I was a fool, -not to use the fan and make Lo-Keong give me the mine for it." - -"But you _did_ give him the fan." - -Forge looked confused for a moment. "Yes, I did," said he after -a pause, "that is, it was taken from me. I got it from Tidman in -the way you know, and always expected trouble. But I expect Hwei -and Tung-yu did not find out at the time, that it had come to -this country, so I was left alone. Had they discovered, that I -was the possessor I should have been killed--" - -"Or you might have got a large sum of money." - -"Quite so. It would have all depended if I gave the fan to Hwei -or to Tung-yu. I should have preferred the latter, but of course -I never knew the different days appointed by the god." - -"Then that business is really true." - -"I believe it is. But I never knew much about it, till Tung-yu -told me. Then it was too late, Miss Wharf had the fan, and it -was Hwei's day. He took advantage of the chance." - -"Do you think he was here?" - -"Yes. Certainly. He killed Miss Wharf." - -"But the verdict said that Tung-yu--" - -"Pooh--pooh," cried Forge snapping his long fingers. "Tung-yu -would not have dared to disobey the order of Kwang-ho the god. -Hwei is the culprit, but I said as little as I could about that, -I don't want to be entangled in the matter again. But one of the -Chinamen has the fan, and by this time it is nearly at Pekin. -There doesn't seem to be much chance of our getting that money -Rupert." - -"You did give the fan to Lo-Keong," reiterated Ainsleigh. - -"Well it was taken from me. I went to his palace and told him I -would give him the fan in exchange for the eighteen thousand -pounds. I then intended to come back and give you eight, to -clear off your mortgages and resolved to live on the remaining -ten which are rightfully my own. But Lo-Keong had me seized, and -the fan was taken from me. He then forbade me setting foot in -China again. But I am going, for all that," said Forge -threateningly, "I shall go after Christmas. I am bound to get my -money and yours." - -"You kept that fan for a long time?" - -"For two years only, and then, when I thought everything had -blown over, I took it to Lo-Keong with what result you know. Now -then, I have been plain with you Rupert. Surely you can see that -I am your friend." - -"Tung-yu said you were not. Doctor." - -"Naturally," replied Forge, "he wanted to make bad blood between -us, so that I should not tell you this story. How does he -know--Tung-yu I mean--but what you might not go to China and -complain about Lo-Keong keeping this money." - -"I prefer to stop here with my wife," said Ainsleigh. "But _you_ -can complain." - -"And be hanged, or sliced, or shot, or fried. No thank you. -Remember what kind of treatment Tidman met with at the hands of -Hwei." - -"What. Was he the one-eyed Chinaman?" - -"Yes. He's the gentleman, and I hope he won't come your way. He -is a beast. But by this time, he and Tung-yu are on their way -back to their own land. And now Rupert, I'll say good-bye. As I -am poor myself, lacking this ten thousand pounds, rightfully -mine, which Lo-Keong detains, I can't help you. But I'll tell -you what I'll do. I'll get Miss Pewsey to extend that mortgage." - -"No, thank you all the same," said Ainsleigh, throwing back his -head. - -"I don't want to be indebted to your wife." - -"She is not my wife _yet_," said Forge significantly. - -"But you intend to marry her." - -"Yes--yes--quite so." Forge looked queerly at Rupert, as though -about to say something. Then he changed his mind and walked away -rapidly, without saying good-bye. Rupert returned to the house -and told his wife all that had taken place. She was still -doubtful of Forge's good intentions. - -"A decent man would not marry that wicked little woman." - -"Well," said Rupert doubtfully, "from the way he spoke and -looked, I think Miss Pewsey marries him and not Forge, Miss -Pewsey." - -Mrs. Ainsleigh looked up quickly. "Has she got any hold over -him?" - -"I don't understand dear?" - -"The same as she had over my aunt. Rupert, that little woman -looks frail, but she is strong, and has a will like iron. In -spite of her looks. Aunt Sophia was wax in Miss Pewsey's hands. -She exercised a kind of hypnotic power over Aunt Sophia, and -that was how the will came to be made in her favour." - -"In that case, why not try and upset the will." - -"On a pretext of undue influence. It could be done certainly, -but I have no facts to go upon. But it seems to me, from what -you say, that Miss Pewsey has hypnotised Forge." - -"He's not the kind of man to be hypnotised." - -"Yes, he is. He smokes opium. A man who would give way to that -vice, is not a strong man. But let her be and let him be also, -Rupert. I don't believe about this money in China. It is no use -our building on that. If the place has to be sold at the end of -the year, we will take what we have left and go to Canada. So -long as I have my boy I don't much care," and she wreathed her -arms round his neck. - -"Dear Olivia, I wish I wasn't the hard-up wretch I am." - -"I would not have you, any other than you are. If money comes to -us, it will come honestly, not through the hands of Dr. Forge or -his future wife. Neither one is honest." - -Rupert would have argued this point, as he thought his wife was -a trifle hard. But Olivia stuck to her guns, and gradually all -reference to Forge and his story was dropped by tacit consent. -The young couple had quite enough to do, in talking of their -future, which was doubtful, to say the least of it. However -Rupert had arranged with the lawyers to hold over all claims for -another year. It only remained to get Miss Pewsey, who now held -the fatal mortgage, to extend the time. But Olivia would not -allow her husband to ask a favour of the bitter little woman as -she was sure,--and rightly so,--that it would not be granted. -The mortgage held by Miss Pewsey was for three thousand pounds, -and the two set their wits to work, to see if they could pay -this off by Christmas. Then, they would have a good few months -left to arrange other matters. If possible, Olivia wished to -keep Royabay, though the outlook was not cheering. - -Another month slipped by, but few changes took place in Marport. -As it was now rather wintry, so many people did not come down to -the sea-side. Rupert and Olivia lived rather a lonely life at -the Abbey, but being very much in love, this did not disturb -them: in fact it was rather a pleasure. Sometimes Chris Walker -and his aunt called. Lady Jabe had got over her disappointment, -now that Olivia was poor, and constantly abused Miss Pewsey for -taking the money. She was making the unfortunate Chris pay -attentions to Lotty Dean, whose father was a grocer and had -ample wealth. Things were going on nicely in this quarter, and -Lady Jabe was pleased. - -Clarence Burgh had left Marport and was now amusing himself in -London. Sometimes he came down to see his aunt, who was getting -ready for her bridal and still lived in Ivy Lodge. There, Forge -intended to remove when married, as the house was rent free, and -already he had given notice to Tidman as the Major told Rupert -one evening. "And I'm glad he's going," said the Major, as he -sat with his usual bottle of port before the fire, after dinner, -"I couldn't stand seeing, that Pewsey cat in my house as Mrs. -Doctor Forge." - -"I wonder why he marries her?" said Rupert who was smoking on -the other side of the fire place. - -"Because he is frightened of her, sir. That woman for some -reason makes everyone frightened of her--except me," added the -Major swelling, "why even that young Burgh hardly comes to see -her, though he's down here now--waiting for the wedding I -suppose. It comes off next week and a nice fright that Pewsey -cat will look as a bride." - -Rupert laughed. Olivia had left the room and retired to bed. The -Major, who had been fidgeting all the evening, looked round when -alone with his host. "I want to talk to you," he said. - -"What about? Haven't you been talking all the evening." - -"Not on the subject nearest to my heart," said Tidman sipping -his port. "I waited till Mrs. Ainsleigh went away, as I don't -want to revive unpleasant memories." - -"Oh," said Rupert with a shudder, "surely you are not going to -talk of the murder." - -"No--certainly not: but I am of the thing that caused it." - -Rupert sat up quickly. "The fan. Why that's in China. Tung-yu -took it, after he--" - -"Tung-yu did _not_ take it," said the Major producing a letter. -"I thought he did, if you remember, for you and I saw him on the -beach on that night." - -"Yes. He was talking to a boatman." - -"Arranging for his flight," said Tidman grimly, "and then he -went back, as I thought, and murdered that woman. But he -didn't," the Major paused to give full dramatic effect. "He -thinks I did it." - -"Oh, rubbish," said Rupert. "If you can prove an alibi on my -behalf, I can prove one on yours. We walked and talked on the -beach, till nearly twelve. Then you went back to your bed, and I -returned to the ball-room. Immediately afterwards the body was -found. What makes Tung-yu accuse you, and why do you get a -letter from China?" - -"It's not from China, but from London." - -"Is Tung-yu there?" asked Ainsleigh, quickly. - -"Yes. In some place in Rotherhithe. He writes from there, in -this letter. Read it," and he passed it to his host. - -Rupert glanced over the few lines which were very neatly written -on yellow paper. The letter was to the effect that if Major -Tidman would bring the fan to a certain place in Rotherhithe, he -would receive the money. "Humph," said Ainsleigh, handing it -back, "so it seems that Tung-yu has not got the fan." - -"Yes, confound him, and he thinks _I_ have it, in which case he -must believe that I murdered Miss Wharf." - -Rupert nodded. "It looks like it," said he, "what will you do?" - -"I don't know. I do not want another Canton adventure. I -thought," here the Major hesitated, "I thought you might go." - -Ainsleigh did not burst out into a voluble refusal, as Tidman -expected, but stared at the fire. Seeing this, Tidman urged his -point. "I think if you went, you might get at the truth of the -matter," he said. "If Tung-yu didn't murder Miss Wharf, who did? -Will you go?" - -Rupert still gazed at the fire. He was thinking of the eight -thousand pounds due to him, held by Lo-Keong and which, if -gained, would pay off Miss Pewsey. "Yes," said he at length, -"I'll go." - -It was a risk, as he knew, but the money was worth the risk. - - - - -CHAPTER XV -The Rotherhithe Den - - -As a rule, Rupert told his wife everything, thinking there could -be no happiness, unless a married couple were frank with one -another. Also, he frequently went to Olivia for advice, -believing in the keen feminine instinct, which usually sees what -is hidden from the denser masculine understanding. But on this -occasion, he refrained from revealing the object of his visit to -London, as he knew she would be feverishly anxious, all the time -he was absent. It was just possible that Hwei might be at -Rotherhithe instead of Tung-yu, and then Rupert might meet with -a death similar to that of Miss Wharf. Certainly he had not the -fan, and never did possess it; but how was he to convince a -distrustful Asiatic of that. - -Therefore, Rupert went to town one afternoon by the nine o'clock -evening train from Marport, and Olivia thought, he was merely -going to see his lawyer on business connected with Miss Pewsey's -mortgage. Her husband was to return the next day in time for -luncheon, and, as he had often run up to town before, Olivia had -no misgivings. Had she been aware of the danger he was going -into, she assuredly would not have let him go. Mrs. Ainsleigh -had led an unhappy life, and now that things were brighter, she -certainly did not wish to see her days clouded, by the loss of -the husband whom she loved so dearly. - -As what money there was, went to keep up Royabay, its master was -too poor to travel first class. But he was lucky enough to find -a third class smoking carriage empty, and sat down very content. -Owing to the nature of his errand, he wished to be alone, to -think out his mode of procedure. Tung-yu would not be an easy -person to deal with, still less would Hwei, should he happen to -be on the spot, and Ainsleigh had little knowledge of the -Chinese character. From what Forge said, he judged it to be -dangerous. - -There were few people travelling by the train, and Rupert quite -believed that he would have the compartment to himself. But just -as the train was moving off, a man dashed into the carriage and -dropped breathlessly on the seat. "I guess that was a narrow -squeak," he gasped. - -"Mr. Burgh," said Rupert, by no means pleased. - -"Well, I am surprised," said the buccaneer, "if it ain't -Ainsleigh." - -"Mr. Ainsleigh," was Rupert's reply, for he disliked the man too -much to tolerate this familiarity. - -"Oh, shucks," retorted Burgh wiping his forehead, "'tisn't any -use putting on frills with me, sir. I guess I'm as good a man as -you, any day." - -"Let us admit you are better," said Rupert coldly, "and cease -conversation." - -But this Mr. Burgh was not inclined to do. "I reckon this old -tram won't stop at any station for half an hour," said he -pulling out a long black cigar, "so I don't see why we should -sit like dummies for thirty minutes. Come along, let's yarn. You -think I'm a wrong un'. Well, I guess I'm no holy Bill if that's -what you mean. But I surmise that I'm friendly enough with you, -Ainsleigh." - -"Our last interview was not of a friendly character." - -"You bet. You laid me out proper, and gave it to me pretty free. -I respect a man who knocks me down. I thought you'd curl up when -faced, Ainsleigh, but I see you're a fighter. That being so, why -I climb down. Not that I'm a coward--oh, no--not by a long -chalk: but I know how to size up things." - -"And how do you size them up in this case?" - -"Well," said Clarence lighting up, "I guess you've got the bulge -on me. I was sweet on your wife, but you aimed a bulls-eye, and -I got left. That being so, I conclude to leave other man's goods -alone." - -"Meaning Mrs. Ainsleigh," said Rupert dryly, "thank you." - -"Oh, no thanks. I've got enough sins already without putting a -gilded roof on my iniquities. See here," Clarence leaned forward -and looked agreeable, though his wicked black eyes snapped fire, -"why shouldn't you and I be friends?" - -Rupert did not reply at once. He did not like Burgh, who was an -aggressive bully of the Far West. All the same, something might -be learned from Burgh, relative to the murder, and to the -Chinaman. He knew Hwei and knew something of the fan, so Rupert -resolved to be on reasonably friendly terms with the buccaneer -in the hope of learning something likely to be of use. If Mr. -Burgh had a lantern, there was no reason why Ainsleigh should -not use the light to illuminate his somewhat dark path. -Therefore, when Rupert did speak, it was to express a wish -to be friendly. Yet, strange to say, as soon as he showed a -disposition to come forward, Clarence, the wary, showed an equal -disposition to retire. "Ho," said the buccaneer, "I guess you -want my help, or you wouldn't be so friendly all at once." - -"I am friendly by your own desire," said Ainsleigh dryly, "if -you like, we need not talk, but can part as enemies." - -"No," said Burgh throwing himself indolently back on the -cushions, "fact is, I need you and you need me." - -"How do I need you?" asked Rupert sharply. - -"Well," drawled Clarence, eying the clear-cut face of his late -enemy, "it's just this way. Aunt Lavinia's an old cat. She was -all square with me, so long as she thought I'd hitch up long-side -Miss Rayner----" - -"Mrs. Ainsleigh if you please, and leave out her name." - -"Right oh. I'll use it only once. Aunty thought I'd annex the -cash, and Mrs. Ainsleigh, and that she would live on the pair of -us. But as things are Aunty has the cash and you've got the -lady, so I am left--yes sir. I guess I've been bested by Aunty, -Well sir, I calculate I'm not a millionaire, and I want cash to -start out on the long trail. Aunty won't part, shabby old puss -that she is; but I reckon if you'll help me, I'll rake in the -dollars slick." - -"Why should I help you?" - -"To get square about that murder." - -Rupert drew back, "Do you know?----" - -"Oh I know nothing for certain, or I shouldn't take you into -partnership, but I believe I can spot the person." - -"Surely you don't think Miss Pewsey----" - -"Oh no. She wouldn't harm anyone, unless she was on the right -side. She's a cat, but is clever enough to keep herself from -being lynched. 'Sides, she was comfortable enough with old -Wharf, and wouldn't have sent her to camp out in the New -Jerusalem, by strangling. But Aunty's going to hitch up -long-side old Forge----" - -"And he?" asked Rupert secretly excited, but looking calm -enough. - -"Go slow. I don't know anything for certain, but I guess Forge -had a finger in the pie. He wanted the fan you know." - -"Nonsense! He had the fan for two years and made no use of it." - -"I reckon not. He didn't know its secret--and the secret's worth -money I judge." - -"Do you know the secret?" - -"No. If I'd known I shouldn't have passed the article along to -old Wharf. But I'm hunting for the secret, and when I find it -out, I'll shake old Forge's life out for that fan." - -"But Tung-yu has the fan?" - -"Ho!" snorted the buccaneer, "and Tung-yu's gone to China with -Hwei and the fan. Shucks! They gassed that at the inquest, but -the poppy-cock don't go down along o' me. No Sir. I guess old -Forge has the article. Now you sail in with me, and find out." - -"How can I?" - -"Well," said the buccaneer reflectively, "your father was a -friend of the doctor's and he's chums with you. Just you get him -to be confidential like, and then----" - -"Forge is the last man to be confidential with anyone," said -Rupert coldly, "and if this be your scheme I can't help you. -There is not a shred of evidence to prove that Forge killed Miss -Wharf." - -"No. That's a frozen fact; but I guess I'm going to straighten -out Forge to pay out Aunty. Then both will have to part with -cash for my going on the long trail. I'm in the dark now, but -later----" - -An end was put to Mr. Burgh's chatter by the stoppage of the -train at a station, and by the entrance of a joyful party of -father, mother and three children. These last returning from a -happy day in the country made themselves agreeable by crying. -Clarence closed his mouth, and only bent forward to say one last -word to Rupert, "I reckon we'll talk of this to-morrow when I -get back to Marport," said he, "I'm putting up at the Bristol, -and aunty's footing the bill." - -Ainsleigh nodded and buried himself in his own thoughts. He did -not see how Clarence could bring the crime home to Dr. Forge, -but the buccaneer evidently had his suspicions. Rupert resolved -to keep in with Burgh on the chance that something might come of -the matter. He saw well enough that Clarence, in desperate want -of money, would do all in his power to prove Forge guilty and -would then blackmail him and Miss Pewsey, or, as she would then -be, Mrs. Forge. This last design which Rupert suspected Burgh -entertained, he resolved should not be put into practice: but if -Forge was guilty, he would be arrested and tried. Therefore when -Clarence parted with Ainsleigh at the Liverpool street station, -the latter was moderately friendly. - -"'Night," said the buccaneer wringing Ainsleigh's hand. "See you -to-morrow at Marport. Keep it dark," and he winked and disappeared. - -Ainsleigh moved towards the barrier to give up his ticket. As he -did so he was roughly jostled, but could not see the person who -thus banged against him. He left the station however, with the -feeling that he was being followed, and kept looking back to see -if, amongst the crowd, there was any special person at his -heels. But he could see no one with his eyes on him. Yet the -feeling continued even when he got into the underground train, -which was to take him to Rotherhithe. - -The young man had put on a shabby suit of blue serge for the -adventure and,--as the night was rainy,--wore a heavy overcoat, -the same in fact, which he had left in the cloak-room of the -Bristol hotel on that memorable occasion. The compartment was -filled with a rather rough set of workmen going home, and some -were the worse for liquor. However Rupert sitting quietly in his -own corner was not disturbed and arrived in Rotherhithe without -trouble. He was thankful for this, as he did not wish to have a -row when engaged on a secret errand. - -It was dark and stormy when he stepped out into the street, but -as the address given in the letter written to Major Tidman, was -that of a narrow street close at hand--Rupert had looked it up -in the Directory,--he did not take a cab. On his way along the -streaming pavement he again had the sensation of being followed, -and felt for the revolver, with which he had very wisely -provided himself. But nothing happened, and he arrived at the -mouth of the narrow street which was called Penters Alley. There -were few people about, as the ragged loafers were within, not -caring to face the pelting rain in their light attire. Rupert -stepped cautiously down the side street, and saw in the distance -a Chinese lantern, which he knew, marked the house he was to -enter. This token had been set forth in the letter. - -Just as the young man was half way down, a dark figure, which -had crept up behind him, darted forward and aimed a blow at him. -Rupert dodged and tried to close: but at that moment another -figure dashed between the two men and delivered a right-hander. -There was a stifled cry of rage and the clash of a knife on the -wet pavement. Then the first assailant cleared off, and Rupert -found himself facing his rescuer. "Just in time," said Clarence -Burgh. - -"What, you here," said Rupert surprised. "I left you at the -station. - -"I guess that's so, but I followed you--" - -"And by what right--" - -"That's square enough," replied Burgh, "you'd agreed to work -along with me on this racket." - -"Not altogether. I had not made up my mind." - -"Well I guess you'll make it up now Mr. Ainsleigh. It was a -good job I came after you as I did, or this would have been into -your ribs," and he held up a long knife which he had picked up. - -"I am much obliged," said Ainsleigh, "but--" - -"Well if you're obliged, let me go along with you and see you -through this game. I don't know what it is, but I'm on for -larks." - -Ainsleigh reflected, and on the impulse of the moment trusted -the man. Clarence had undoubtedly saved his life, and it would -be just as well to take him. Also Clarence could do no harm, as -Tung-yu and Hwei would see to that. "Very good," said Ainsleigh, -"come along. I'm going to where that Chinese lantern is." - -Clarence gave a long whistle and smote his leg, "Gad," said he -between his teeth, "you're on the Chinese racket again." - -"Oh, behalf of Major Tidman," and Rupert rapidly gave details. - -Burgh whistled again, "Ho," he laughed, "so they think Tidman's -the strangler. Well I guess not. Forge for my money. Let's heave -ahead Ainsleigh, and see what the Chinkeys have to say." - -The two moved on and stopped under the lantern. A sharp -knock at a closed door brought forth a Chinese boy, who was -dressed--queerly enough--all in red. Rupert recalled Tidman's -adventure at Canton, and did not like the look of things. But -Clarence pushed past him and addressed the boy. - -"We've come to see Tung-yu," said he, "give this brat the -letter, Ainsleigh." - -The boy took the letter and instead of looking at it by the -light of the lantern, smelt it carefully. Then Ainsleigh -remembered that it was strongly perfumed with some queer scent. -Clarence cackled. - -"Rummy coves these Chinese beasts," said he politely. - -Evidently the boy was satisfied, for he threw open the door, and -the two adventurers entered. They passed along a narrow corridor -to a second door. On this being opened, they turned down a long -passage to the right and were conducted by the red boy into a -small room decorated in Chinese fashion, somewhat after the -style of that in Dr. Forge's house. At the end there was a -shrine with a hideous god set up therein, and before this, -smoked some joss sticks giving out a strange perfume. A -tasselled lantern hung from the ceiling. The chairs and table, -elegant in design were of carved black wood, and the walls were -hung with gaily pictured paper. The room was neat and clean, but -pervaded by that strange atmosphere of the East which brings -back curious memories to those who have travelled into those -parts. After conducting them into this room, the red boy -vanished and the men found themselves alone. - -"Well I reckon we've got to make ourselves comfortable," said -the buccaneer sitting, "rum shanty--just like an opium den I -know of, down 'Frisco way. Ho! I wonder how Tung-yu's escaped -the police?" - -"I wonder rather who it was that tried to knife me," said Rupert -sitting. - -Clarence looked queer. "We'll talk of that when we get through -with this business. Here's some fairy." - -Even while he spoke a tall lean Chinaman entered noiselessly. He -had a rather fierce face and one eye. Burgh started up. - -"Hwei," said he amazed. "I thought you had lighted out for -'Frisco." - - - - -CHAPTER XVI -The Fan Mystery - - -The one-eyed Chinaman did not smile, nor did he greet Burgh in -any way, friendly or otherwise. He simply looked at the two, -with an impassive gaze and then glanced at a clock, the hands of -which pointed to thirty minutes past eleven. What a clock should -be doing in this Eastern room, the visitors could not make out. -It seemed to be out of place. Yet there it was, and there was -Hwei staring at it. He still preserved silence and brought his -one eye from the clock to Rupert with a malevolent glare. - -"Major Tidman has not come," said Hwei in English, as good as -that spoken by Tung-yu, but in a grating voice. - -"No," said Rupert who was addressed. "He received your note,--or -rather Tung-yu's letter,--and asked me to come here on his -behalf." - -"And I guess Hwei," drawled Clarence, "that I have come to see -the business through." - -"That will not take long," said the Chinaman cheerfully, yet -with an unpleasant stare, "where is the fan of the Mandarin?" - -"I have not got it," replied Ainsleigh shortly. - -"Major Tidman did not send it perhaps." - -"No. For the simple reason that it is not in his possession." - -"That," said Hwei grimly, "is a lie," - -"It's the truth," chipped in Burgh suddenly, "old man Tidman -didn't choke that woman!" - -"You mean Miss Wharf." - -Burgh nodded. "That's so," said he in a curt way, but with a -watchful eye on the one-eyed Chinaman. - -Hwei gnawed his long finger nails, and then slipped his hands -inside his long hanging sleeves. In his dull blue clothes with -the clumsy slippers, he looked taller than ever, and quite as -unpleasant as at first sight. His pig-tail was coiled round his -shaven head. He looked sharply at the two men with his one eye, -and appeared to be thinking, "It's my day," said he at length. - -Ainsleigh and Burgh jumped up. "Do you intend to murder us?" -asked Rupert. - -"If you have the fan," rejoined Hwei coldly, "it is the order of -the god Kwang-ho," and he bowed reverentially to the ugly image. - -"What right's that second hand joss to give orders in a free -country, Hwei?" asked Clarence, "and don't you think, we'll give -in without laying you out." - -Hwei made a clicking noise with his tongue and then smote a -small brass gong which hung near the door. The thunder had -scarcely died away before the door opened and there appeared -four or five villainous looking Chinamen with long knives. -Rupert stepped back and stood against the wall, with his -revolver levelled. But Clarence simply produced the knife, he -had picked up on the pavement. "I guess," he said reflectively, -"you tried to knife Ainsleigh outside. The knife here's the same -as those things yonder," and he nodded towards the door. "Well, -sail in. We're ready for the play." - -Hwei started at this speech, and chattered something in Chinese. -At once the door closed and the three were again alone. "I never -ordered anyone to be knifed outside," he said, with his one eye -on Clarence, "that would be foolish. First the fan, then the -death." - -"I was certainly attacked outside," said Rupert lowering his -revolver. - -"Who attacked you, sir?" - -"I can't say. But perhaps Burgh--" - -"That's my business," said the cheerful Clarence who had taken -his seat, and did not seem to be at all afraid of the dangerous -position in which he found himself, "what we have to do, is to -yarn about this fan. I saw you in 'Frisco, Hwei. I reckoned the -fan was there." - -"We thought so, Mr. Burgh, but it came to the ears of Lo-Keong -that it was in England. So then I came here." - -"Ah, I saw you in China also," said Clarence. - -"You did, and learned much about the fan--too much," growled -Hwei. - -Rupert who was growing weary of all this hinted mystery sat down -again, and threw the revolver on the table. "I wish you would -make a clean breast of this," he said calmly. "I don't care -about the fan, but I do want to know who killed Miss Wharf." - -"Major Tidman did." - -"No. He was with me on the beach. I went out to smoke and we -strolled up and down till nearly twelve. He was with me shortly -after eleven, so he could not have killed the woman." - -Hwei pointed a long finger at the young man. "I saw Major Tidman -speaking to a boatman on the beach--the boat came from the -Stormy Petrel--" - -"Your boat," said Burgh quickly. - -"No. The boat of Tung-yu. It was my day, but Tung-yu hoped to -get the fan after twelve at night and then would have had the -right to take it away in the boat. Major Tidman killed Miss -Wharf and gave the knowledge of his crime to Tung-yu. He would -not part with the fan till the money was paid. Tung-yu went away -in the boat so that the police might not get him. He was wise," -added Hwei with a queer smile, "as he is accused of the murder." - -"Which you committed." - -"No I did not. Had I found Miss Wharf outside I should have -killed her. It was my hour, but she escaped me." - -"Then you were in Marport on that night?" asked Rupert. - -Hwei nodded. "Not at the hotel. Tung-yu went to the ball, and -was to bring Miss Wharf out down the steps, so that I could kill -her. I came to the steps about twelve, and while waiting on the -beach I saw you sir, talking to the Major. But Tung-yu betrayed -me." Hwei's face looked fiercer then ever. "He did not bring her -to me in my hour, and so betrayed the trust of the god Kwang-ho. -He wanted her to live, so that he might buy the fan next day." - -"But so long as he got the fan--" - -Hwei flung out a long arm. "No," said he austerely, "if Tung-yu -gets the fan it goes with its secret into the hands of Mandarin -Hop Sing, who is the enemy of my master." - -"And who is your master?" asked Clarence. - -"Lo-Keong. Listen." Hwei took a seat and talked, with his one -eye on the visitors. "The fan is my master's, and holds a secret -which means much to him. It was lost. We invoked the god -Kwang-ho. By the mouth of his priest the gods said that two men -should search for it. I was to search for Lo-Keong, and Tung-yu -for Hop Sing the enemy of my master. Hop Sing's emissary was to -buy the fan at a large price, I was to kill the person who held -it. Thus, said the god, justice would be done. The person who -held the fan would be rewarded for virtue or slain for evil. One -day is mine and the next day is Tung-yu's. At the ball I had my -hour, and had I found Miss Wharf I would have slain her for the -fan. But Tung-yu betrayed me, as he wished to buy the fan next -day. But the god Kwang-ho interfered, and the woman who held the -fan wrongfully, met with her doom. Great is the justice of the -god Kwang-ho," and he bowed again to the ugly image which was -half veiled by the curling smoke. - -Rupert stared at the man who talked such good English, yet who -used it, to utter such extraordinary things. He was not -acquainted with the Chinese character, and could not understand -the affair. But on reflection he concluded that the alternate -killing and rewarding was adopted as giving a chance of treating -the person, who secured the fan in the way he or she deserved. -"I see what you mean," said he, "if the person got the fan -wrongfully, it would come into your possession in your way, if -rightfully, it would go to Tung-yu, therefore the holder of the -fan would be rewarded according to his or her deeds." - -Hwei bowed. "Great is the wisdom of the god Kwang-ho," said he. - -"Then I guess you're wrong and the god also," said Clarence, -"old Miss Wharf got the fan squarely enough from me." - -"She had it wrongfully," said Hwei obstinately "else she would -not have been slain." - -"Who slew her?" asked Rupert seeing the uselessness of argument. - -"Major Tidman." - -"No. I tell you he was on the beach. Tung-yu killed her." - -Hwei shook his head, "Tung-yu dare not," said he, "the god would -slay him if he disobeyed." - -"The god didn't slay him when he played low down on you in -keeping Miss Wharf back from your knife," said Clarence. - -"Tung-yu has done penance. He has made amends. He wrote to Major -Tidman telling him to come here on my night, so that he might -meet with his doom." - -"But he hasn't come." - -"He is afraid." - -"No," said Rupert decisively, "the Major has not the fan. Who -has, I know no more than I do who killed Miss Wharf." - -Hwei wavered, and his keen face grew troubled. The persistence -of Rupert was having its effect. "Are you sure?" - -"Quite sure," said Ainsleigh promptly. - -"Will you swear this before the god Kwang-ho." - -"Certainly--but remember I am a Christian." - -Hwei went to the shrine and brought forth a joss stick. "The god -Kwang-ho is all powerful," said he solemnly, "if you lie, he -will not spare you. Burn this joss before him and swear." - -"No," said Rupert drawing back. "I am a Christian." - -Hwei's eye flashed with fury. "You are lying," said he, "you -will never leave this place alive." - -"Oh I guess so," said Clarence easily, "neither I nor Ainsleigh -has the fan, and you can't kill either of us unless the god -grows angry. You've got to climb down before him." - -"That is true," said Hwei dropping the joss-stick, and sat in -his chair with a puzzled face. He then pointed to the clock, the -long hand of which was drawing to twelve. "When that strikes, my -hour is over," he said, "but I may kill you before then." - -"You've got ten minutes to do it in," said Burgh cheerfully, -"and Ainsleigh and I intend to fight for it. You'll be hanged -too." - -"No," said Hwei. "I'll be on my way to China with the fan. I -have a boat waiting near, to take me to a special steamer. I -intended to kill Major Tidman, take the fan and go. Then all the -police in the country would not have caught me." - -"And your nice little plan has been defeated by the Major not -coming up," said Rupert calmly, "just as well he didn't. And I -have not got the fan." - -"Who has--who has," said Hwei biting his nails, and evidently -quite at a loss. "I made sure--" he looked at Clarence. - -"Oh it wasn't me," said that gentleman promptly, "but I may know -who killed the old woman and has the fan." - -Hwei flung himself forward. "Tell--tell--tell," he grasped, and -he laid his long fingers on Burgh's throat. The young man threw -him over with a great effort and slipped back to the wall, where -he stood beside Rupert. The two had out their revolvers. "You -wait," said Clarence in a breathless voice, for the struggle -though brief had been violent, "tell me the secret of the fan, -and I'll give you the name of the person who has it." - -"What," cried Hwei furiously, "betray my master, you foreign -devil. I will kill you first." - -"You've just got five minutes to do it in," cried Burgh -jeeringly. - -The Chinaman put his fingers to his lips and blew a shrill -whistle. In a moment the room was filled with Chinamen, -chattering and screaming like so many infuriated parrots. Hwei -threw himself on the young men. "Die--Die--" he said thickly. - -"Fire--fire," cried Clarence, kicking Hwei back. - -For the next few minutes Rupert had no very clear idea of what -was happening. He fired into the mass of Chinamen pushing -forward, and heard a cry as a man dropped. The others fell over -him, and in the struggle upset the shrine. The ugly joss rolled -on to the floor and caught fire. There were shrill screams from -the Chinese, who began to jab with their knives. Clarence was -rolling on the floor in close grips with Hwei, and the draperies -of the joss flared away in a brilliant manner. It seemed as -though the two rash men would be either burnt or stabbed, and -the end was coming rapidly. - -All at once the silvery chime of the clock sounded and then came -the rapid striking of the hour. The door opened and the boy in -red, appeared. He said something in a screaming voice, and then, -almost as by magic, the room emptied. The rolling mass of -Chinamen had extinguished the flaming joss, and Hwei, suddenly -disengaging himself from the buccaneer, darted through the door. -The boy followed with the rest of the assailants, and when -Rupert and Burgh got their breath they found themselves facing -the still smoking joss, with Tung-yu blandly smiling at them. - -"Ho," said Clarence rising and shaking himself. "I guess the -row's over. Hurt Ainsleigh?" - -"Got a flesh wound," said Rupert, winding his handkerchief round -his left arm, "and you?" - -"I'm as right as a pie. So here's Tung-yu. Your hour I guess." - -The Chinaman bowed, and picking up the god restored him to his -shrine, which was considerably damaged. "It is lucky the red boy -cried that Hwei's hour was over," he said coolly, "or you would -both have been killed." - -"You wouldn't have got the fan though," said Rupert throwing -himself down on his seat, "but you don't intend to kill us I -suppose." - -"No. The god Kwang-ho is merciful now. I make you rich." - -"Humph," said Burgh crossly, "I wish I had that fan with me." - -"You have, or Mr. Ainsleigh here, has it," said Tung-yu, "I will -give you five thousand for the fan." - -"I haven't got it." - -"Think--ten thousand." - -"Great Scot!" cried Clarence avariciously, "wish I could trade." - -"Fifteen thousand," said Tung-yu his eyes glittering, "come -gentlemen it's better to be rich than dead. For the next -twenty-four hours I can give you money. Then comes Hewi's hour -and he will kill you." - -"Not much," said Burgh, "I'm going to cut." - -"You shall be kept here, till you give up the fan." - -Rupert shrugged his shoulders. "You won't believe," he said, -"why not search us. Then you can see we have not the fan. Do you -believe that Major Tidman has it?" - -"Yes. He gave it to you. He killed--" - -"He did not. Can you swear that he did?" - -"No. But I thought--" - -"Oh shucks," said Clarence shoving himself forward, "see here -Mr. Tung-yu. I'm sick of this business. We haven't got that -durned fan. But I can tell you who has." - -"Tell then and I give you a thousand pounds." - -"Not good enough," said Burgh coolly, "see here, you let us go -free and tell us the fan's secret, and I'll tell you." - -"Yes, and get the fan, and learn the secret," cried Tung-yu -excited, "but you cannot make use of the secret." - -"Don't want to. And as to the fan, you can get it from the -person I tell you of. Then you can fork out fifteen thousand." - -The Chinaman deliberated. "We have been wrong about Major -Tidman, I think," said he politely. "It seems someone else has -it. I suppose----" - -"I didn't kill the old girl myself if that's what you mean." - -"Quite so," said Tung-yu, after another pause. "Well, as you -can't make any use of the secret I'll tell you of it. Then you -can go free, after you have told me who killed Miss Wharf." - -"Eight oh," said Clarence, and Rupert listened breathlessly. - -"The fan," said Tung-yu, "is jade on one side, and enamel on the -other. The enamelled side is painted with a picture invisibly. -To bring out the picture, this fan has to be waved in certain -smoke--" - -"What sort of smoke?" - -"I won't tell you that," said Tung-yu politely, "I have told -enough." - -"Well, then," said Rupert, "when the picture is visible what -happens?" - - -"It will show a hiding place which contains certain things we -want to get, in order to ruin Lo-Keong with the Empress." - -"Oh, I see, a plan of a secret hiding-place." - -"Now you know," said Tung-yu to Clarence, "tell me----" - -"Not till I know of the smoke." - -"I refuse. But I give you fifteen thousand to get that fan. One -thousand now if you tell me who killed the woman and who has -it." - -"Good," said Clarence, "I'll trade. Dr. Forge strangled Miss -Wharf." - -"Ah," said Tung-yu leaping up, "he has the fan. Thanks -Kwang-ho," and he bowed to the half-destroyed image. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII -A Disappearance - - -When Rupert returned to Marport next day, Burgh accompanied him. -The young squire of Royabay wished to give information to the -police regarding the guilt of Forge. But Clarence persuaded him -against doing so. "You'll only get me into a row," said he, in -his candid way. "You see I told a lie." - -"You tell so many lies," said Rupert sharply, "I don't know but -what I ought to give you in charge." - -"I guess not, seeing I saved your life last night." - -"No. You're right there Burgh. But have you really anything to -do with this murder?" - -"No, 'cept as how I told old Tung-yu last night." - -"Just repeat what you said. I was so faint with the loss of -blood that I didn't gather half you said." - -Burgh nodded. "You were pretty sick. I'd to help you back to -civilization, same as if you were drunk. If I hadn't, you'd have -been robbed and killed down that Bowery gangway." - -Ainsleigh could not, but acknowledge that Clarence had acted -very well. He had saved him from the man who attacked him in the -street, and also, it was owing to him that the two had escaped -from the gang of Hwei. Finally Burgh had taken Rupert back to -the Guelph Hotel in Jermyn Street, when he was rather shaky from -the wound. It was much better this morning, but Ainsleigh looked -pale, and not at all himself. Still he did not grudge the -trifling wound--it was merely a scratch although it had bled -freely,--as the knowledge he had acquired, was well worth the -trouble. They had left the den in Penters Alley, some time after -midnight, and had returned safely to the West, where Rupert had -acted as host to Burgh. That was Clarence all over. Whenever he -did anyone a service, he always took it out of him in some way, -and but, for the dangerous position in which he found himself -would have quartered his carcase on Rupert for an indefinite -period. - -"But there ain't no denying that I'm in a fix," said Burgh, as -the train drew near Marport. "That is, if you split Ainsleigh." - -"No, I won't split on you. But if Forge is guilty he must be -arrested," said Rupert decisively. - -"But I don't know if he strangled the old girl after all." - -"You said he did, last night." - -"Well I wanted to know the secret of that fan." - -Rupert shrugged his shoulders. "You know that the fan when -waved in a certain smoke--of which by the way you learned -nothing--reveals a hiding place which contains certain things -Tung-yu wants--" - -"To ruin Lo-Keong," said Burgh quickly. "So I guess if I can -pick up that fan from old Forge, I'll yank in the dollars." - -"Aren't you satisfied with what you have." - -"This thousand. Oh that's all right. I cashed the cheque before -I joined you at the station--got it in gold so I can clear out -when it suits me. It's always as well to be ready to git." - -"I suppose," said Ainsleigh dryly, "in your varied career, you -have had frequent occasions to 'git' as you call it." - -"You bet. But git's slang American and good Turkish lingo, so -you've no need to sneer old man. 'Say, about Forge. What's to be -done?" - -"I'll communicate with Rodgers and tell him what you say. If the -doctor is guilty he must suffer." - -"My eye," said Clarence reflectively, "won't aunty be mad. Well -I guess this will square us: she won't play low down on me -again." - -"Burgh, you're a blackguard." - -"I am, that's a fact," said the buccaneer in no wise disturbed. -"But don't you say that in public or the fur'll fly." - -"Pooh. You know I'm equal to you. But this story--" - -"The one I told Tung-yu last night," grinned Burgh, "I'll reel -it out now, and you can sort it out as you choose. I believe -Forge to be the scragger of the old girl, because he had that -tie of yours." - -"How did he get the tie?" - -"I gave it to him," confessed Clarence candidly. - -"Yes--I remember you said so last night. But I forget how you -explained the getting of it." - -"Huh," drawled Burgh folding his arms. "You might call it -stealing old pard. Y'see Miss Pewsey--my old aunty that is--saw -Olivia--" - -"Mrs. Ainsleigh, hang you." - -"Right oh," continued Burgh imperturbably. "Well, aunty saw -Mrs. Ainsleigh pass the tie to you, and when you went to the -cloak-room she told me. I was real mad not knowing how things -were, as I wanted that tie for myself. I'd no notion of your -getting things made by the young lady I was sweet on. - -"I wish you would leave out my wife's name," said Rupert -angrily, and wincing with pain, for his wound hurt him not a -little. - -"I'll try: don't get your hair off. Well I cut along to the -card room--no t'wasn't the card room--the cloak-room, and saw you -standing by your coat, just hanging it up again." - -"And you saw me put the tie in the pocket." - -"I guess not: but I fancied you might have done so. Then I -waited outside while you yarned with the Chinese cove and -Tidman. After that I cut in and you know the rest." - -"Up to the time I knocked you down. Well?" - -"Smashing blow," said Burgh coolly, "you can use your hands -pretty well I reckon--but a six shooter's more in my line. Well, -when you cut, I lay down and saw stars for a time. Then I -thought I'd pay you out by annexing the tie." - -"You didn't know it was there?" - -"Thought it might be," rejoined Burgh coolly, "anyhow there was -no harm in trying. I found the tie, and went out with it, -thinking you be pretty sick when you found it gone. I went into -the card-room where old Forge was cheating I guess, and had a -yarn along o'him. He just roared when I showed him the tie, for -he hates you like pie." - -"What's that?" asked Rupert sharply, "you are mistaken." - -"I guess not. That old man would have been glad to see you -scragged, Mr. Ainsleigh. He asked me to let him have the tie--" - -"What for?" - -Burgh shrugged his shoulders. "He didn't say. But I let him have -it anyhow. I wasn't in a position to refuse. Y'see Ainsleigh I'm -not a holy Bill and--" - -"And Forge knows a few of your escapades likely to land you -in--" - -"Y'needn't say the word," interrupted Burgh in his turn, -"t'isn't a pretty one. But I guess Forge could make things hot -for me if he liked, so that was why I lay low when I saw the tie -round the old girl's throat. I guessed then. Forge had scragged -her and boned the fan. I asked him about it, and he lied like -billeo. Said he'd lost the tie, and never touched the old 'un. -Then he said if I made any fuss, he'd tell the police about--" - -"About what?" asked Ainsleigh, seeing the man hesitate. - -"Huh," replied Burgh, uncomfortably, "I guess that's my -business. I told you I wasn't a saint." - -"I suspect you're a thorough paced gaol-bird." - -"No, I ain't been in quod. Where I gavorted round, in the Naked -Lands, they don't shove a man in chokey for every trifle." - -"Such as murder. Eh?" - -"I haven't murdered anyone yet," confessed Clarence, easily, -"but one never knows. But I told about Forge last night, as I -wanted to get this thousand. Now I'll try for the fan, and see -if I can't get the fifteen thousand to come my way. If Forge -cuts up rough, I'll light out with what I have"--he slapped his -pockets--"for Callao," and he began to sing the old song:-- - - - "On no occasion, is extradition, - Allowed in Callao." - - -"And I know a daisy of a girl out there," said the scamp, -winking. - -Ainsleigh was too disgusted to speak. He felt that as he was as -big a ruffian as Burgh, to tolerate this conversation, and he -was relieved when the train steamed into Marport station. As -soon as it stopped he jumped out, and nodding to his companion, -he was about to take his leave, when Clarence stopped him. "Say. -You won't round on Forge till I get this fan business settled." - -"I intend to write to Rodgers to-day," said Ainsleigh, tartly, -"bad as your aunt is, she shan't marry that scoundrel if I can -help it." - -"But I only know Forge got the scarf as I told you. He mightn't -have scragged her y'know. He says he didn't." - -"And relied on what he knows of you to keep things quiet. No, -Mr. Burgh, I intend to have the man arrested," and Rupert turned -away, while Clarence, apparently not at all disturbed, went away -whistling his Callao ditty. - -Rupert drove to Royabay and was welcomed with joy by his wife. -She was much alarmed when she saw his condition, and was very -angry when he told of his danger. She made him lie down, and -bathed the wound, of which Rupert made light. "It's nothing, -dear," he said. - -"It might be dangerous. There might have been poison on that -knife, Rupert. You know what the Chinese are." - -"No, Olivia, I certainly don't. All this business of the fan and -the god Kwang-ho is most ridiculous." - -"Tell me all about it," said Olivia, when she had placed a tray, -with tea and toast, before him. - -"I shall do so at once, as I want your advice," and Rupert -related all that had occurred from the time of his meeting with -Clarence Burgh in the train on the previous night. Olivia -listened in silence. "Well," asked Rupert, drinking his tea, -"what do you think?" - -"I think Mr. Burgh is a scoundrel." - -"Anyone can see that!" - -"And worthy of his aunt." - -"Perhaps. She's a bad one that Miss Pewsey, but she may not know -what a rascal she has for a relative. And at all events, I can't -let her marry Forge. Do you believe he is guilty?" - -"He might be," said Olivia cautiously, "but I would much rather -believe that Burgh gave the tie to his aunt and that she -strangled aunt Sophia." - -Rupert laughed. "What a vindictive person you are dearest," said -he. "Miss Pewsey is bad but not so bad as that." - -"I'd credit her with anything," said Olivia, who was truly -feminine in her detestation of Miss Pewsey. "She has insulted me -for years, and put aunt Sophia against me, and caused me to lose -the money." - -"Well--well," said Rupert soothingly, "let us think the best of -her--she has her good points. - -"Where are they--what are they? She is a--no," Olivia checked -herself and looked penitent, "I really must not give way to such -unworthy feelings. I'll try and think the best of her, and I -agree with you darling, that she must not marry Dr. Forge." - -"Do you think I should write to Rodgers?" - -"Certainly. The marriage must be stopped. Write to-day." - -But Rupert did not write that day, for the simple reason that -the wound on his arm grew very painful, and he became delirious. -The doctor who was called in, said that there was poison in the -blood and then Olivia was alarmed lest Rupert should lose his -arm, and perhaps his life. However, the doctor was young and -clever and by careful treatment he drew out the poison and in a -few days, the young man's arm had resumed its normal condition, -and his brain again became clear. Then he wrote a letter to -Rodgers asking him to come down to Royabay on a matter connected -with the murder of his wife's aunt. After the letter had been -posted, Rupert went out for a walk with his wife, and strolled -round the grounds. As the two crossed the lawn admiring the -beauty of the day which was bright and clear and slightly -frosty, Mrs. Petley appeared, coming up the avenue. She made -straight for the young couple. - -"Please Master Rupert, that gent's called again." - -"What, Mr. Burgh?" said Olivia, and then in answer to her -husband's enquiring look she explained. "He has called for the -last three days, dear, since you were ill. I never told you, as -I thought it might worry you." - -"And he just called to ask how you were. Master Rupert," said -the old housekeeper, "and never come nearer than the lodge, as -old Payne can testify. I told him you were out walking and he -asked if he could come in and see you." - -"Certainly," said Rupert--then, when Mrs. Petley hurried away, -he turned to Olivia. "Burgh simply wants to find out if I have -communicated with Rodgers. He's frightened for his own skin." - -Shortly Mrs. Petley returned with the information that Mr. Burgh -was nowhere to be seen. This did not trouble Rupert who thought -that the buccaneer (always of an impatient disposition) might -have grown tired of waiting. With Olivia, he strolled round the -grounds for thirty minutes and at length entered the ruins of -the Abbey. Here the first thing they saw, was Mr. Clarence Burgh -seated on a stone under the copper beech. He jumped up and came -forward, with his usual grace and invariable impudence. - -"Glad to see you out again, Ainsleigh," said he taking off his -hat, "and you look well, Mrs. Ainsleigh--just like a picture." - -"Thank you," replied Olivia, concealing her dislike with -difficulty, "you wish to see my husband I presume." - -"Just for two shakes," said Clarence easily, "say old man, what -about Forge. Are y' going to' round on him?" - -Rupert nodded, "I have written to Rodgers to-day. But I'll give -him this chance of escape--warn him if you like." - -"Not me," said Burgh coldly, "every man for his own durned -skin--begging your pardon Mrs. Ainsleigh. I saw him while you -were trying for Kingdom Come, and told him that he'd the fan." - -"What did he say?" - -"Gave me the lie. Swore he'd been in the card-room between -eleven and twelve, and never saw the old girl. Said he'd had -enough of the fan, as it had nearly caused his death. Then he -said he'd split on me if I gave him away." - -"But you told him, you did confess to the Chinaman." - -"Oh that's all right. Forge don't care a red cent for their -telling the police. They won't engineer the biznai into the -courts. So long as they get the fan, they don't mind. Forge -knows they won't make the matter public, but now he's in mortal -fear, lest they should kill him." - -"Thinking he's got the fan." - -"You bet--on my evidence. Well," said Burgh calmly and with a -twinkle in his evil eyes. "I reckon old man Forge is in an -almighty fix. He's in danger of being knifed by Hwei--thanks to -me, and of being hanged for killing the old girl--thanks to -you." - -Olivia's face expressed her disgust. "If you have heard all you -wish to hear, we'll go away," she said to her husband. - -"Right oh," said Burgh. "Don't mind me. Pretty place y'have -here," he added looking round the beautiful cloisters, "that's -the place where they lynched the old monk I reckon. I've heard -that silly rhyme of yours, Ainsleigh. I guess you've fulfilled -one part." - -"How so?" asked Rupert stiffly. - -"About the marriage y'know. A poor Ainsleigh has wedded a poor -wife. So that's all right. Now I--" - -"I must be going," interrupted Ainsleigh annoyed by the man's -glib talk, "have you anything else to say?" - -"Only this. Forge is going to hitch long-side Aunt Lavinia -to-morrow, and if you run him in, she'll get left." - -"All the better for her," said Ainsleigh calmly, "he's a bad -lot." - -"That's so. Much worse than you think. He was the man who tried -to stab you in Penter's Alley." - -"No." - -"He was though. I saw his face under the lamp, as he let fly. -Then he cut and--you know the rest. But I'm off. My eye," -Clarence chuckled, "what a shine there'll be to-morrow, when -Aunty gets left." - -Burgh strolled away whistling, and Olivia expressed her disgust -at his free and easy manners. Rupert, reflecting on what -Clarence had told him of Forge's assault, resolved to be a fair -and open enemy. He decided to call on Forge and tell him that he -had written to Rodgers. Also, he desired to ask why he attempted -the second crime. Olivia approved, so Rupert went early next day -to Tidman's Avenue. The door was opened by Mrs. Bressy who was -wiping her mouth as though she had just been at the bottle, -which was probably the case. In reply to Rupert's enquiry for -her master, she told him that Dr. Forge had gone. "He went to -Londing, sir--larst night," said Mrs. Bressy. - -"Did he leave any address?" - -"No, Mr. Ainsleigh, he did not." - -The inference was easy. Forge had bolted. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII -A Surprise - - -Rupert was much disappointed that Forge had not been arrested. -Apart from the fact that he thought the old scoundrel should -suffer for his dastardly crime in killing an inoffensive woman, -he wished to learn what Forge could reveal of his father's -death. The explanation already given, did not satisfy him, and -he suspected that the doctor knew more than he chose to admit. -But under pressure, and standing in danger of his life, he might -be induced to be more explicit. But, as the man, apparently -warned by Clarence, had disappeared, there was no more to be -said. And Forge had taken a large trunk, and all his loose cash, -so there was no doubt that he intended to keep away from -Marport. - -Ainsleigh, much disgusted, went to seek Clarence Burgh at the -Bristol Hotel, but learned, that he also, had gone away. Much -perplexed the young man sought out Major Tidman, and laid the -case before him. The Major was much astonished at the recital, -and very angry to learn that Hwei and Tung-yu suspected him of -the murder. "But I guessed they did, from the fact of that -letter asking after the fan," said Tidman, pacing his room, much -agitated. "I hope Ainsleigh, they don't think I have it now, or -my life will not be worth a moment's purchase." - -"No. You needn't worry. Burgh has fully convinced them, that -Forge has the fan." - -"Then they'll make for him." - -"No doubt, and perhaps that is why Forge cleared out. But I -don't understand why our friend Burgh should make himself -scarce." - -"I do," said Tidman sitting down and wiping his bald forehead, -"he isn't a man with a clean past, and Forge knows about it. -It's just on the cards that, to revenge himself on Burgh for -having told Hwei about the fan. Forge has written to the police -giving an account of Master Clarence's delinquency." - -"But, on the other hand, if Burgh warned Forge that I had -written to Rodgers, the doctor might forgive him." - -"Not he. Forge is a bitter hater, and after all, Clarence would -only be trying to right, what he had put wrong. If he'd held his -tongue about the fan and the murder, there would be no need for -Forge to cut. As it is, I believe the doctor will make it hot -for our mutual friend." - -"When did you see Burgh last?" - -"At dinner last night. He said nothing about going away, and I -quite believed he would stop on. He's in good quarters here and -Miss Pewsey is paying the bill. But he took a small bag with -him, saying he was going up town for a few days, and left by the -nine evening train." - -"Ah! He may come back after all." - -"He may: but I doubt it. He doesn't want to face an inquiry. You -see he gave the tie to Forge and said nothing about it at the -inquest, so that makes him an accessory after the fact." - -"But Burgh didn't know Forge's game." - -"No. All the same he should have spoken out at the inquest. -Well, and what is to be done now?" - -"Nothing. I'm sick of the whole business. But Forge told me that -this Mandarin, Lo-Keong, holds eight thousand pounds belonging -to my father. I intend to write for it." - -Tidman looked doubtful. "I don't think you'll get it," said he, -"unless you produce the fan." - -"Oh! I expect Forge has taken that away with him." - -"Well then, Tung-yu and Hwei will be on his track, and I -shouldn't give much for his life." - -"Wait a bit. He may get the money from Tung-yu." - -"If he chances on Tung-yu's day. Queer start that," added the -Major musingly, "the red boy appeared when I just had my big toe -cut off and saved my life. It happened, much the same with you, -and Hwei lost his power, as he was getting ready to kill you. I -wonder these two scoundrels obey the god so slavishly." - -"Oh, they are both afraid of the god," said Rupert, rising to -take his leave, "but I must get home. There's nothing more to be -discussed." - -"Nothing," replied the Major chuckling, "unless it is about that -old cat's disappointment. I'll go up to St. Peter's church and -see how she takes it." - -"Of course," said Ainsleigh lingering at the door, "it's her -wedding day. I expect she knows by this time, that Forge has -cut. - -"I hope not," said the Major cruelly. "I wouldn't lose the fun -for something." - -Rupert didn't agree with his callous view of the case, as Miss -Pewsey was a woman after all, although a bad one; and it would -be hard that she should suffer, what she would certainly regard -as a public disgrace. So Rupert avoided St. Peter's Church, and -went home again. Here he found Olivia with a letter. - -"This arrived by the early post," she explained, "but you went -out so quickly, that I could not give it to you. Just look at it -Rupert, such beautiful writing." - -"A foreigner's evidently," said her husband, looking at the -really elegant calligraphy. "They take more care than we do of -their pot-hook and hangers. Olivia." He started. - -"What's the matter?" - -Rupert put the envelope under her nose. "Smell it. Don't you -recognise the scent." - -"No," said Mrs. Ainsleigh, "it's a strange scent." - -"Very, and was used to perfume the letter which Tung-yu sent to -Major Tidman. This may have to do with the fan again." - -Olivia looked nervous. "I wish we could hear the last of it," -she said. "It has caused enough trouble already. Open the -letter, dear." - -Rupert did so and was more astonished than ever. "Here's an -unexpected development," he remarked, passing the letter to -Olivia, "Lo-Keong is in England." - -Mrs. Ainsleigh read the few lines which stated that the mandarin -was stopping at a fashionable hotel in Northumberland Avenue, -and would do himself the honour of calling on the son of his old -friend in a few days. "He's come to see after the fan personally," -said Olivia returning the letter. "I am glad." - -"So am I," said Rupert quickly. "I'll now learn the truth about -my father, and see if I can't get that eight thousand pounds." - -"Rupert, do you think Lo-Keong killed your father?" - -"I can't say. Forge declared over and over again, that he died -of dysentery, and that Lo-Keong seized the money for the Boxers. -But I'll demand an explanation from the Mandarin." - -"Will he give it?" asked Mrs. Ainsleigh doubtfully. - -"He'll have to," replied Rupert grimly, "and he'll have to give -the money back also. I don't care for Forge's cash, as a villain -such as he is, doesn't deserve any reward. But I want my own -eight thousand, and I'll have it." - -"I hope so," sighed Olivia, "we could then pay off Miss Pewsey, -or rather Mrs. Forge, as she no doubt is by this time." - -"No. Forge has bolted." - -"What, on the eve of the wedding?" - -"Yes. He cleared out last night. Either he fears being arrested -for the murder of your aunt, or he dreads lest Hwei should come -down to kill him for the sake of the fan. At all events he has -gone, and Miss Pewsey is no doubt waiting at the altar of St. -Peter's Church, for a bridegroom who will never come. But we -must attend to our own troubles, dear. I'll write to the -Mandarin to-day and ask him to visit us when it suits him. Or -else I can run up----" - -"No," interrupted Olivia in a voice of alarm. "I won't have you -go away again, until this fan business is settled. I'm always -afraid of your falling into the hands of these Chinamen. I shall -ask Mr. Lo-Keong, to stop them searching for the fan." - -"He can stop Hwei," said Rupert rising, "but Tung-yu is in the -employment of Hop Sing, the Mandarin's rival. Don't be afraid, -my dearest, I have been protected by Providence these many days, -and it is not likely that I'll come to grief. But I fear for -Forge and for Burgh, who has likewise bolted. Those two will -certainly get into trouble." - -"It is wrong to say so," said Mrs. Ainsleigh with a sigh, "but I -_do_ dislike that man Burgh, and Dr. Forge also." - -"Leave them in God's hands, dear," replied her husband gravely, -"if they have sinned, they will be punished. What we have to do, -is to learn if Lo-Keong will restore this money. I'll write, -asking him to come down to Royabay," and Rupert went to the -library forthwith. - -It was an autumnal day with a promise of rain. Ragged clouds -drifted across a cold blue sky, and the wind was rather high. -Already many trees had shed their leaves, but the pine boughs -still bore their sombre burdens. Everything looked old and -miserable, and there seemed to lurk a premonition of evil -in the air. At least, Olivia thought so, as she stood at the -drawing-room window, looking out on to the terrace and down the -avenue, which could be seen from this point of view. Rupert was -in the library engaged on his letter to the Mandarin, and Olivia -was half inclined to join him. She felt weary, chilly and out of -spirits, and could not account for doing so. - -"I'm the happiest girl in the world," she assured herself, "I -have married the man I love, and he adores me. He rescued me -from a miserable life, and is making me immensely happy. I -should certainly be in the best of spirits, yet----" - -She stopped short at this point and her eyes became fixed, while -a colour flushed her somewhat pale cheeks. And no wonder. Up the -avenue, battling against the force of the wind, came Miss -Pewsey. She wore a bridal dress of white, a lace bonnet trimmed -with orange blossoms, and carried a bouquet of flowers. To see -this figure in such a dress walking under a sombre sky, between -dripping trees, and with the winds blowing furiously against it, -was a strange sight, and gave Olivia what the Scotch call "a -grue." Then she became indignant. It was insolent, she thought, -that this woman who had insulted her so often, who had made her -life miserable, who had robbed her of her inheritance and who -had tried to defame her character, should thus present herself. -On the impulse of the moment and in spite of wind, and of the -rain, which was beginning to fall, Mrs. Ainsleigh threw open the -French window and stepped out on to the terrace. It was in her -mind, to order Miss Pewsey away. She deserved little mercy at -Olivia's hands. - -The noise made by the opening of the window made Miss Pewsey -raise her head, and then she came straight across the grass. As -she drew near, Olivia was struck with the tragic horror of her -face. She was always old in her looks, but now she seemed at -least a hundred. Her lips were white, her eyes red and with dark -circles under them; a myriad wrinkles ploughed her face, and her -usually bright eyes were dim and blood-shot. To see this weird -face under the bridal bonnet was at once grotesque and pathetic. -Without a word, Miss Pewsey climbed the steps gasping at every -step, and came directly towards Olivia. She passed her and -entered the room. Mrs. Ainsleigh came after in a whirlwind of -passion. - -"What do you mean?" she demanded, "this is _my_ house." - -"I am aware of the fact," said Miss Pewsey dropping into a chair -and shaking out her soiled and sodden bridal dress, "but it may -be mine before the end of the year. But don't let us quarrel," -she went on in a piteous way, "I'm in trouble." - -"What is it?" asked Olivia, who could guess. - -"Theophilus has left me. Yes! Last night he went away leaving a -cold letter behind him which was to be delivered to me at the -altar. And it was," wept Miss Pewsey, "that old woman Mrs. -Bressy brought the note. It said that Theophilus has left me for -ever. And all my friends were there, and I was awaiting the -happy hour, then--then"--she broke down sobbing. - -Olivia was touched. Miss Pewsey had always been her enemy, yet -there was something about the unhappy creature which called for -sympathy. - -"I am sorry for your trouble," said Mrs. Ainsleigh, in a softer -voice. - -"No," said Miss Pewsey drying her eyes with a very wet -handkerchief, "you can't be, I never liked you, nor you me." - -"That is perfectly true, and you turned my aunt against me. All -the same I _am_ sorry, and anything I can do shall be done." - -Miss Pewsey threw herself on her knees before her enemy, who was -thus heaping coals of fire on her head. "Then ask your husband -to leave my Theophilus alone," she whispered. "Clarence, who has -also gone, wrote to me, and said that Mr. Ainsleigh accused -Theophilus of the death of my dearest Sophia." - -"What," cried Olivia, "does Mr. Burgh dare. Why he accuses Dr. -Forge, himself. Rupert certainly wrote to the detective Mr. -Rodgers, but Mr. Burgh has to substantiate his statement." - -Miss Pewsey jumped up. "What," she said, much more her own evil -self, "did Clarence accuse my Theophilus? It's a lie--a lie. I -have kept silence too long--much too long." - -"About what?" - -"About the murder," screamed Miss Pewsey, "it was Clarence who -killed my Sophia--yes--you may look and look Olivia--but it was -Clarence himself. He took the tie from the coat-pocket. I told -him, you had given it to him, and--" - -"But he gave it to Dr. Forge." - -"He did not. Clarence took Sophia out on to the steps--at least -he appointed to meet her there, to tell her about the fan. Then -he strangled her, thinking your husband would be accused. -Theophilus came on Clarence when he was picking up the fan. -Sophia held it in her death grip, and it was some time before he -could get it loose. Theophilus came, and hearing steps, Clarence -ran away down to the beach. Then he returned to the ball-room by -the front of the hotel." - -"But the fan?" - -"Theophilus Forge has it," said Miss Pewsey, setting her face, -"and I expect he has taken it with him." - -"Why didn't you tell this at the inquest." - -"Because I didn't. Clarence is my own sister's son. I could not -see him hanged. He had to hold his tongue, although he wanted -the fan back again. But I insisted that Theophilus should make -the money out of it. This is Clarence's revenge. Because the fan -is kept from him he threatens Theophilus; oh Olivia, _do_ ask -your husband to leave the matter alone, I will give up that -mortgage--" - -"I can do nothing," said Olivia, "it isn't in my husband's -power. He has written to Rodgers--" - -"But he has not told him anything," said Miss Pewsey eagerly. - -"No. He merely asked him to call." - -"Then he shall see _me_, and I'll tell him of Clarence's -wickedness. But the fan--the fan--we'll get the money and -Theophilus will come back to be loved and respected. I don't -love him, but I see we can make a lot of money together. The -fan," said Miss Pewsey counting on her lean fingers, "the money -from Lo-Keong--the money of Sophia and--" - -"Oh," cried Olivia in disgust, "go away you miserable creature, -and think of the hereafter." - -Miss Pewsey gave a shrill laugh. "You can't help me, and your -husband can't help me, so I'll go. But when I come back here, it -shall be as mistress. I hate you Olivia--I have always hated -you--I--I--oh you"--she could utter no more, but gasping, shook -her fist and ran out of the window and down the avenue with an -activity surprising in a women of her years. - -After dinner and while they were seated in the library, Olivia -told Rupert of Miss Pewsey's visit and accusation. He declined -to believe the tale. "If Burgh was guilty he wouldn't have -brought an accusation against Forge," he said, "as the doctor, -if this is true, knows the truth. And Forge, if innocent, would -not have cleared--" - -While Ainsleigh was thus explaining, the door was burst open and -Mrs. Petley, white as chalk, rushed in. "The ghost--the ghost," -said she dropping into a chair, "the monk--in the Abbey." - -Anxious to learn if there was any truth in these frequent -apparitions reported by Mrs. Petley, Rupert left the swooning -woman to the care of his wife and departed hastily from the -room. Calling old Petley, he went out of the front door across -the lawn and into the cloisters. Petley, hobbled almost on his -heels with a lantern. The young man stopped at the entrance to -the cloisters, and listened. It was raining hard and the ground -was sopping wet. But beyond the drip of the rain, and the -sighing of the trees, no sound could be heard. Snatching the -lantern from Petley, Rupert advanced boldly into the open, and -swung the light too and fro and round about. He could see no -ghost, nor any dark figure suggestive of Abbot Raoul. - -"Try the black square," piped the feeble voice of Petley, -behind. - -With a shrug Rupert did so. He thought that the housekeeper was -mistaken as usual, and that the ghost was the outcome of her too -vivid imagination. Walking deliberately to the black square -where Abbot Raoul had been burnt three hundred years before, he -swung the light over its bare surface. In the centre he saw -something sparkle, and stooped. Then he rose with a cry. It was -a fan. Rupert picked it up, opened it, and looked at it in the -lantern light. There were the four beads and half a bead and the -green jade leaves. The very fan itself. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX -A Visitor - - -How came the fan there--and on the accursed square of ground -where no grass would grow? Rupert was not superstitious, yet his -heart gave a bound, and for the moment he felt sick. This fan -was the cause of much trouble in the past, it had cost one woman -her life, and it might yet claim another victim. With the fan in -his hand, and the yellow light of the guttering candle in the -lantern gleaming on its beauty, he stood stupidly staring, -unheeding the feeble piping of Petley's voice, as he peered in -at the ruined archway. - -"What's the matter, Master Rupert?" questioned the old butler -with a shiver, "have you seen _It?_" - -"No," said Rupert at length, and he hardly knew his own voice so -heavy and thick it was, "there's nothing to be seen." - -A cry came from the old man. "Don't stand on that accursed -ground. Master Rupert," he said, almost whimpering, "and -to-night, of all times." - -"Why to-night," said Rupert, retreating back to the arch. - -"Any night," shivered Petley putting his hand on his young -master's arm and drawing him out of the cloisters, "it's not a -good place for an Ainsleigh to be in at night. The Abbot--" - -"John, I don't believe in the Abbot." - -"But Anne saw him--or It. She's not the one to tell a lie." - -"Mrs. Petley is deceived in some way." Rupert considered a -moment, and thrust the fan into his pocket. In the darkness, and -because he turned aside the lantern light, old Petley had not -seen that anything had been picked up. "I'm going to search -round," said Rupert. - -The butler gave a long wail as Ainsleigh broke from his grasp. -"No! no!" he cried, lifting his long hands, "not at night." - -But Rupert, now quite himself, did not heed the superstitious -cry. He disbelieved in ghosts more than ever. Some flesh and -blood person had brought the fan, and recollecting Burgh's -story, and what Olivia had reported of Miss Pewsey's talk that -afternoon, he quite expected to find Dr. Forge lurking in the -cloisters. He would search for him, and when face to face, he -would demand an explanation. So Rupert swiftly and lightly, -walked round, holding the light high and low in the hope of -discovering some crouching form. And all the time Petley waited, -trembling at the door. - -The rain fell softly and there was a gentle wind swinging the -heavy boughs of the pines, so that a murmurous sound echoed -through the cloisters like the breaking of league-long waves on -a pebbly beach. For at least half an hour Rupert searched: but -he could see no one: he could not even find the impression of -feet, sodden as was the ground. After looking everywhere within -the cloister, and in the Abbey itself, he brushed past the old -butler and walked down the avenue. Here also, he was at fault as -he could see no one. The gates were closed: but there was a -light in the small house near at hand. Ainsleigh knocked at the -door, and shortly old Payne, holding a candle, above his head, -appeared, expressing surprise. - -"Has anyone entered the gates to-night?" asked his master. - -"No sir. I closed them at five as usual. No one has come in." - -There were no signs of the gates having been climbed, and the -wall which ran round the estate was so high and the top was -pricked with such cruel spikes, that no one could possibly have -entered that way. Old Payne insisted that no one had entered: he -had heard no voices, no footsteps, and seemed much perplexed by -the insistence of his young master. At length Rupert desisted -from making inquiries, being perfectly assured that he would -learn nothing. He returned up the avenue slowly to the mansion, -wondering how it came about, that Forge had entered the ground -and left the fan on the very spot where Abbot Raoul had been -burnt. - -Mrs. Petley had recovered from her swoon and, with her husband, -had retreated to the kitchen. So, Rupert learned from Olivia, -and he then gave her a description of his finding of the fan. -She was very amazed and curious. "Show it to me," she said. - -"Not just now, dear," replied Rupert walking to the door. "I -must ask Mrs. Petley first to explain what she saw." - -"She declares it was Abbot Raoul." - -"Pooh. Forge masquerading as the monk I expect. Though why he should -come here and bring this infernal fan I cannot understand. What is -the time, Olivia?" - -"Nine o'clock," she replied, "we had dinner early." - -"Yes. Well, I'll see Mrs. Petley. You need not say anything -about the fan, and as old John didn't see me pick it up, there -will be no difficulty with him." - -"Why should there be any difficulty with him?" asked Mrs. -Ainsleigh. - -"Your aunt was killed for the sake of the fan, and the person -who killed her must have been within these grounds to-night. I -want to keep the matter quiet, until I see Rodgers to-morrow. -Then I'll explain all, and place the fan in his hands." - -"Then you think Dr. Forge has been here?" - -"Yes--or Clarence Burgh. But, as they have left Marport, I don't -see what they have to gain by remaining in a place fraught with -so much danger to both. - -"They can't both be guilty, Rupert." - -"No. But Burgh declares that Forge strangled your aunt, and Miss -Pewsey lays the blame on her nephew. But I don't believe either -one of them. I shouldn't be at all surprised to learn that the -assassin is Major Tidman after all. He wanted the fan badly, so -as to get the money." - -"But you were with him on the beach, between eleven and twelve." - -"I was, and the evidence of Dr. Forge went to show that Miss -Wharf was killed between those hours. But suppose, Olivia," -Rupert sank his voice and drew nearer. "Suppose Forge knew from -the condition of the body that your aunt had been killed -_before_ eleven, and had procured the fan from Tidman by -threatening to say so, in which case the Major could not have -proved an alibi." - -"It might be so," replied Mrs. Ainsleigh, "but then the body -would have been found earlier." - -"No. There was not a single person, so far as I know, who went -down those steps. Tung-yu certainly did,--but that was after the -crime was committed, and we know he did not carry the fan with -him. It is a very strange case. Perhaps after all, Tidman had -already killed the woman when he joined me on the beach to -smoke." - -"Oh Rupert, how horrid. Was he disturbed." - -"He certainly seemed rather alarmed but I put that down to the -circumstances. He never shook off his fear of that adventure he -had in Canton, and of course the mere presence of Chinamen would -make him uneasy. But he kept his own council. However, we can -talk of this later. I must see Mrs. Petley," and Rupert -disappeared. - -The housekeeper stuck to her story. She had gone into the -cloisters to gather mushrooms which grew therein, and had the -lantern with her. While stooping at the archway to see what she -could pick she heard, even through the moaning of the wind the -swish of a long garment. The sound brought her to her feet, -and--as she phrased it--with her heart in her mouth. The place -was uncanny and she had seen the Abbot before. "But never so -plain--oh never so plain," wailed Mrs. Petley, throwing her -apron over her white hair and rocking. "I held the light over my -head and dropped it with a screech, for, there, not a yard away, -Master Rupert, I saw it, with a long gown and a hood over its -wicked white face--" - -"Did you see the face?" - -"I did, just as I dropped the lantern. White and wicked and -evil. I dropped on my knees and said a prayer with closed eyes -and then it went. I took the lantern and ran for the house for -dear life, till I burst in on you and the mistress. Oh, Master -Rupert dear, what did you see?" - -"Nothing! And I believe, Mrs. Petley, you beheld some rascal -masquerading." - -"No! No! 'Twas a ghost--oh dreary me, my days are numbered." - -Mrs. Petley could not be persuaded that the thing she saw was -flesh and blood, so Rupert gave up trying to convince her. He -returned the lantern back to old John and told the couple to -retire to bed. They were both white and nervous and not fit to -be up. Then he came back to the drawing-room and found Olivia -seated by the fire reading. At the door Rupert paused to think -what a pretty picture she made in her rich dinner-dress--one of -Miss Wharf's gifts--and with one small hand supporting her -dainty head. She looked up, as though she felt the magic of his -gaze, and he approached swiftly to press a kiss on the hand she -held out to him. "Well?" asked Olivia. - -Rupert shrugged his shoulders. "There's nothing to be learned," -said he, "Mrs. Petley won't give in. She believes she has seen a -ghost, and declines that her days are numbered. As she is nearly -seventy, I daresay they are. But this fan"--he took it out of -his pocket. - -"Let me see it," said Olivia stretching out her hand. - -But Rupert drew it away and spread out the leaves. "No, my dear, -I don't like you to handle the horrible thing. And besides, you -have seen it often enough in the hand of your aunt." - -"Yes, but now there is an awful significance about it." - -"There's blood--" - -"Blood," cried his wife shuddering, "but she was strangled." - -"I speak figuratively, my dear. This little trifle has cost one -life: it may cost more. I am quite sure Lo-Keong's life hangs on -this fan, or he would not be so anxious to get it back. It has a -secret, and I intend to learn what the secret is." - -"Oh, you mean to wave it in the smoke," said Olivia remembering -what Rupert had told her of Tung-yu's speech. - -"Yes I do. I want to see the invisible picture. Then, we may learn of -this hiding place which contains the things, Lo-Keong's enemies wish -to secure. I expect it is some treasonous correspondence." - -"But, Rupert, the hiding-place will be in China. Lo-Keong would -not send papers of that kind to be concealed in England." - -"It would be the safest place," replied Rupert dryly, "however, -I intend to try the experiment of waving this fan in the smoke." - -"You don't know the kind of smoke?" - -"I can guess the kind. Olivia do you remember that joss stick -which Mrs. Petley found in the Abbey." - -"Yes--at the time she saw the ghost." - -"Precisely. The ghost left that joss-stick behind on the first -occasion, and the fan on the second. Now I shouldn't wonder if -the fan had got into the hands of Hwei, and that _he_ was the -ghost." - -"What makes you think that?" - -"Well, Hwei confessed that he was lurking outside the Bristol -hotel to get a chance of killing Miss Wharf when she was lured -out by Tung-yu. That gentleman however played false. All the -same Hwei was here, and perhaps he came up to the Abbey--" - -"Why?" asked Olivia looking perplexed. - -"Ah, that I can't tell you. But I fancy the answer is to be -found in this fan, as soon as we see the picture." - -"But the smoke." - -"Must be made by that joss-stick. It smells like cinnamon, and -is apparently a manufactured article. Hwei brought it, so that -he could wave the fan in its smoke and then learn the secret. -But he dropped the joss-stick and--where is it Olivia." - -"I put it in a drawer over there, after you showed it to me." - -Mrs. Ainsleigh went to a rose-wood cabinet and opened a drawer. -She then returned with the Joss-stick in her hand, and gave it -to her husband, who was kneeling on the hearth-rug. "I hope it -won't explode, Rupert," said Olivia nervously. - -He stared. "Why should you think that?" - -"Well it might have been dropped on purpose, and looks like -a cracker with that red paper round it. Perhaps there's -dynamite--" - -"Nonsense," said Rupert taking out a match, "however, if you are -afraid, go into the next room." - -"No," said Olivia seating herself, "if you are to be blown to -bits, I'll be blown up with you." - -They both laughed at the idea, and then Rupert lighted the -match. It was distinctly nervous work however, and Olivia -started back, as her husband set the joss stick fizzling. She -was leaning forward in the chair with her dark head nearly -touching his fair hair. The joss stick smoked slowly and a queer -odour diffused itself though the room. Olivia sniffed. "Rupert," -she said positively, "it's the same scent as was on that letter -of Tung-yu's." - -"And of Lo-Keong also," said Rupert watching the thick bluish smoke, -which now began to curl up from the joss stick, "apparently the -Mandarin uses the perfume as a kind of clue, or perhaps it is a -special scent dedicated to this private god of his. I shall never -understand Chinamen and I'm very sure I don't want too. Olivia, hold -the stick while I wave the fan in the smoke." - -Being now assured that the smoke was proceeding from a harmless -article, Mrs. Ainsleigh took the stick and held it lightly, -while her husband gravely waved the out-spread fan in the thick -smoke. The joss stick fizzled and burned and gave out its queer -smell, which made both slightly dizzy. Every now and then, -Rupert looked at the enamelled side of the fan, where Tung-yu -said that a picture would appear. There certainly did seem -something scrawled on the smooth green sticks, and a blurred -outline revealed itself. For quite ten minutes Ainsleigh -continued waving, until the joss stick burnt down nearly to the -root. Then he looked again, Olivia placed the still fizzling -joss stick in the fender, and peered over his shoulder. She -uttered a cry when she saw the black outline of the picture, and -Rupert nearly echoed it. They were looking at a drawing of the -cloisters. - -Yes--there were the cloisters of Royabay Abbey taken, as by a -camera, from the archway. The architecture was clear enough, and -the trees also. But the picture was merely evanescent, for as -the fan grew cold again the outlines vanished. However, they -knew that the hiding place of the presumed papers, was within -the cloisters of Royabay--but in what spot. Rupert laid down the -fan and propounded the problem to his wife. "The indications -would be more exact." - -"Yes," replied Olivia thoughtfully, and picked up the fan, "I -suppose you are right, Rupert. It must have been Hwei who came -to the Abbey on the night my aunt was killed and dropped the -joss stick. Perhaps he came to see if he could find the hiding -place, without the aid of the fan." - -"No," said Rupert, "Hwei is the servant of Lo-Keong, and -probably knew of the hiding place; whereas Tung-yu, who served -Hop Sing wanted the fan to learn about it. I expect had Tung-yu -bought the fan, he would have come here and found the papers and -then have cleared out to China to place them in his master's -hands and ruin Lo-Keong." - -"Are you sure there are papers hidden?" said Olivia, fingering -the beads dangling from the thick yellow cord. - -"I think so. It can't be gold or silver or jewels. However, what -we have to do is to find what is hidden. Then when Lo-Keong -comes down we can make a bargain with him. If he hands over my -eight thousand, I'll give him whatever we find." - -"But how are we find the spot," said Mrs. Ainsleigh dreamily. -"Oh, Rupert," she added, "it's in one of the trees. Don't you -remember a tree was drawn at the side of the picture with a -white line down the trunk?" - -"No, I didn't see that. I saw the four trees and the stump drawn -in the picture." - -Mrs. Ainsleigh rattled the beads through her fingers. "Four -beads and half a bead," she exclaimed, "Rupert, those stand for -the four trees and for the stump." - -"What makes you think so?" - -"The half bead--that is the stump, and see, one of the beads is -of jasper, that might be the copper beech." - -"By jove," Rupert jumped up, "I believe you are right." - -"I am sure I am, and in the tree drawn at the side of the -picture which you did not observe, there was a white line down -the trunk." - -"Well," said Rupert pondering, "perhaps whatever is hidden is -tied to a string or a chain and is dropped down the trunk of one -of the four trees--or perhaps in the stump." - -"Not in the stump," said Olivia quickly, "for then the line -would be visible, while in the other trees it would be concealed -in the thick foliage. I fancy the line must be down the copper -beech trunk, as there is but one red bead." - -"There is but one tree though--one copper beech you know," said -her husband. "I am inclined to think that to make things safer, -the hiding place must be in one of the green trees signified by -the jade beads. The question is, which tree is it?" - -Olivia looked at the fan again, and as she did so started. -Rupert also raised his head. They heard the sound of wheels -scrunching the gravel outside, and wondered who was arriving so -late. The clock pointed to half-past ten. The servants had gone -to bed, so Rupert followed by his wife, who was rather nervous, -went to the door. When Rupert opened it he found himself facing -a tall handsome man in a fur cloak, and wearing a strange hat. - -"Good evening," said the stranger in the best of English, "I -speak to Mr. Ainsleigh I think, I am the Marquis Lo-Keong." - - - - -CHAPTER XX -The Mandarin Explains - - -"I must apologise for this very late visit," said Lo-Keong, when -he was conducted to the drawing-room by his surprised host, "but -I must explain--" - -"Not now. Marquis," replied Ainsleigh, giving his visitor the -rank which he claimed, "you must be weary and hungry." - -"No. I am perfectly well, and enjoyed a meal before I left -London. If you will give my servants orders to take up my -luggage, and will then hear what I have to say, you will do -everything I desire." - -Rupert went again to the hall to tell the two Chinese servants, -which Lo Keong had brought with him, to take the trunks up to -the bed-room which the Marquis would occupy. Then he went to the -back and made Mr. and Mrs. Petley rise. Both were disturbed when -they heard that a Chinese grandee was in the house. "I do hope -he won't bring trouble with him," said Mrs. Petley to her -husband. "I never could a-bear them things, since I saw that -creature who brought home the old master's baggage. And, Missus, -as is dead, couldn't bear him either." - -"He was a cock-eyed man," said old John reflectively. - -"Cock-eyed yourself," retorted the housekeeper who had a better -memory, "he was one-eyed, and a nice ugly thing he looked. Ah -well, as I always says, Abbot Raoul don't walk for nothing, and -this Chiner gentleman coming here, means trouble." - -Old John who was much the same way of thinking himself, grew -annoyed by his wife's pessimism and told her to hurry up and -come to the kitchen. Then he went to see after the bed-room -which his master had selected for the untoward guest. Mrs. -Petley came down to find her kitchen in the possession of two -grave silent Chinamen who had lighted the fire and were boiling -water for tea. "Well, I'm sure," said Mrs. Petley surveying both -with distaste, "the idear of these furreiners taking liberties," -and she sniffed at the Far East. - -Meanwhile, Rupert returned to the drawing-room and found the -Marquis paying attentions to his wife. Lo-Keong was a tall, -fine-looking man, grave and extremely polite. He had admirable -manners, and his clothes were of the finest. Olivia in her rich -dinner dress, felt quite plainly dressed beside this gorgeous -gentleman, who wore a jacket of rose-pink, a coat of grass green -satin, pale blue silk trousers, and thick-soled white green -shoes. He also had a glossy pig-tail woven with silk, and -carried a small fan--at which Olivia shuddered. Seated in a deep -arm-chair, he looked a potentate, quite out of place in that -sober English drawing-room. The Marquis was very affable, and -deferential to Mrs. Ainsleigh, who quite overcame her dislike to -Celestials after a few moments converse with this splendid -specimen of the aristocracy of Cathay. - -"You are quite sure you won't have some refreshment?" she asked. - -Lo-Keong waved his slim hand graciously. "I thank you, no," said -he, "and if you will allow me to explain myself, you can then -retire. I am ashamed of having called at this hour. But," he -looked at Rupert first and at Olivia afterwards, "my excuse is a -good one. I have seen Hwei--whom you know." - -Ainsleigh shuddered. "Yes, and I don't retain any very pleasant -recollections of that gentleman," said he. - -Lo-Keong laughed quietly, "Hwei is a true devotée of the god -Kwang-ho." - -"I don't understand about that god," said Olivia. - -"I have come to explain," said the Chinaman, "it is a great pity -I did not come before. You would then have had no trouble about -this," and he took up the famous fan which Olivia had tossed on -the sofa. - -"Oh," the young couple looked at one another, and if they did -not say "oh," the expression of "oh"--an amazed "oh" was on -their faces. - -Lo-Keong seemed to have his eyes everywhere, and took up the fan -as if it was the most natural thing it should be lying there. -"You understand," he went on in his calm well-bred voice. "I -have seen Hwei and he told me everything." - -"About the murder?" - -"About the murder, Mrs. Ainsleigh, and about the hunt for the -assassin; also about your husband's visit to London, and full -details concerning the folly of Tung-yu--my enemy's servant, who -related how the picture on this," he laid a long yellow finger -on the fan, "could be brought to light," his eyes wandered to -the fragment of the joss stick within the fender. "I observe -that you have been clever enough to see the picture." - -"Yes," said Rupert, quite amazed at this penetration, "but how -do you know that?" - -"Very easily. Hwei told me that he came to the cloisters one -night to see that all was well----" - -"He knew of the hiding place then?" asked Olivia, eagerly. - -"Certainly. I have always trusted Hwei, but Tung-yu did not -know, and hence his desire to procure the fan. Hwei was here on -the night poor Miss Wharf was killed, and dropped the joss -stick. You have been clever enough to make use of it. Well, now -you both know where the packet is?" - -"The packet?" - -"Of papers which mean my life--papers connected with the Boxers, -which the Mandarin Hop Sing would give much to possess." - -"We know that the packet is hidden in a tree," said Rupert, "but -which tree we cannot guess." - -"Ah," Lo-Keong slipped the beads through his fingers, "here is a -piece of jade with a gold band round it." - -"The third bead----" - -"Consequently the third tree. We will look for the packet, as -soon as I explain myself. The packet must be safe, as you have -the fan, and I know, Mr. Ainsleigh, you are my friend, as I was -the friend of your father before you." - -"What," Rupert threw back his head. "I understood from Dr. -Forge, that you were my enemy." - -Lo-Keong frowned. "Ah! he goes as far as that," said he, then -paused a moment. "I will explain." - -Olivia would have interrupted, but he threw out a long arm in an -imperious manner, and began his story without further preamble, -playing with the fan all the time. - -"My name," said the Marquis, "is Lo-Keong, and I am a native of -the province of Kan-Su----" - -"Where the mine is," murmured Rupert. - -"Exactly, Mr. Ainsleigh. My native town is on the Hwei River, -and not far from the mine your father bought----" - -"Along with Dr. Forge." - -"Pardon me, sir, but Dr. Forge did not buy it. He was merely a -servant of your father's. The mine was owned by your father -alone. I conducted the negotiations on behalf of the owner of -the land." - -"But Forge says----" - -"I can guess." Lo-Keong waved his hand coldly. "He blackens my -name to you, and lies about the mine. Always bad--always foul, -always a liar--that man must be killed. I have spared him too -long." - -Olivia shuddered. "No Marquis," said she, "I beg that there may -be no more murders." - -"Not in England, but when this Forge comes again to China," here -the Marquis smiled in a cruel way, but made no further remark. -The young people shuddered. He smiled benignly on them, and went -on with his story in a calm level voice. - -"My respected parent was a merchant," said he calmly, "and he -gave me a fine education, of which, as you know, we think -greatly in the Middle Kingdom. I secured the Hanlin degree, -which is very high, and so became greater than my friend Hop -Sing, who failed. That success made Hop Sing my enemy. I -returned home, and Hop Sing made trouble. It is not necessary to -explain how," added the Marquis with another wave of his hand. -"But the trouble resulted in my leaving my parental roof, and -becoming a soldier with the Boxers who then conspired against -the Empress Dowager. But before I left my native town, I acted -as the middle man between a respected resident and Mr. Markham -Ainsleigh who desired to lease a gold mine on the Hwei River. I -left him in full possession of the rights to work the mine, and -Dr. Forge assisted him." - -"Not as a partner?" asked Rupert breathlessly. - -"By no means, Mr. Ainsleigh. Forge was a good doctor, but he -knew nothing about mining. He doctored the Coolies, and attended -to minor matters. Your father looked after the mine personally. -I understand he learned how to do so in California." - -"Yes--He was there before I was born, but--" - -"Permit me to continue, Mr. Ainsleigh. Well then, I left your -father in possession of the mine, and joined the Boxers. I rose -to be a leader, and afterwards returned to see my parents. At -that time the rebellion--for that it was--proved unfortunate, so -it was necessary that I should conceal myself. I took service -with your father as a foreman of the mine, and I can safely -say," said Lo-Keong with a certain show of emotion, "that your -father saved my life. I consider myself indebted to him, and now -I am indebted to his son." - -"It is very good of you," said Rupert. "I need a friend." - -"You have one in me," said the Marquis courteously. "But to -proceed, as the night grows darker. I was your father's friend, -Hop Sing was his enemy, and Forge sided with Hop Sing." - -"But why did he do that?" asked Ainsleigh impetuously. "Forge -was at college with my father--they were great friends--" - -"So Mr. Markham Ainsleigh thought. But Dr. Forge was greedy and -wished to have the mine to himself. Hop Sing, who had some -influence at the Imperial Court, promised to help Dr. Forge to -get rid of your father and secure the mine provided I was -ruined." - -"And Forge acted this base part." - -"He did," said the Mandarin quietly. "I may tell you Mr. -Ainsleigh that I was completely in your father's confidence. He -made a great deal of money out of the mine, and I arranged for -it to be turned into safe investments through a third person -whose name need not be mentioned. A large sum was placed out at -interest and all these many years the interest has been -accumulating. You will receive a handsome sum I assure you, Mr. -Ainsleigh." - -"But," broke in Olivia perplexed. "Dr. Forge told my husband -that the whole amount was eighteen thousand, of which ten -thousand belonged to him and eight thousand to Rupert." - -"Dr. Forge places the money obtained from the mine at a low -figure," said the Chinaman smiling, "what the amount is, I shall -tell you later. Meanwhile I must explain the intrigue which led -to your father's murder----" - -"Ah," Rupert leaped to his feet, "then he _was_ murdered." - -"He was--by the emissary of Hop Sing. Be calm, Mr. Ainsleigh, and be -seated. Your father died quietly enough by strangulation----" - -"What. Was he killed in the same way as Miss Wharf?" - -Lo-Keong bowed his stately head, "Yes, and by the same -person----" - -"Tung-yu," cried Olivia starting to her feet in her turn. - -"Exactly, Mrs. Ainsleigh. I know that Tung-yu strangled Mr. -Markham Ainsleigh, and I believe that he strangled your aunt." - -Rupert sat down on the sofa and drew his wife down beside him. -"But Tung-yu was the man who was to buy the fan----" - -"Quite so." Lo-Keong folded and unfolded the fan calmly. "You -know of the god Kwang-ho." - -"Yes--but I can't understand----" - -"Naturally," the Marquis laughed quietly, "that is a thing -beyond the comprehension of a Western barbarian--your pardon for -so calling you, Kwang-ho," went on the Mandarin, "is an ancestor -of mine who lived during the Ming dynasty. He was a sage, and -very famous, so I took him as my private god." - -Olivia looked amazed and a little shocked. "A private god. I -never knew that anyone could have a private god even in China," -she said. - -"If you have read Roman history, Mrs. Ainsleigh, you will -remember the Lares and Penates, which were something of the same -kind. I was very unfortunate with the public gods of my country, -so I chose Kwang-ho to be my genius--my destiny. I had an image -made and offered him incense. It was, in fact what you might call -ancestral worship; only I looked upon Kwang-ho as one who could -control my destiny. I was right," said Lo-Keong emphatically, "for, -from the moment I sacrificed to Kwang-ho, my fortunes changed." - -"In what way?" asked Rupert, wondering that a clever man like -this should talk so superstitiously. - -"In every way. The priest of my new god Kwang-ho consulted the -deity and ordered that I should leave the Boxers and attach -myself to the party of the Empress Dowager, who was to be all -powerful in the future. I think," added Lo-Keong smiling -blandly, "that Kwang-ho was right in that. Who is so powerful as -my august mistress." - -"True enough," admitted Ainsleigh impatiently, "but what has -this to do with the death of my father?" - -"Patience, Mr. Ainsleigh. I arranged to leave the Boxers. We -were fighting for the Emperor, who was then being crushed by the -Empress Dowager. I had many papers showing my devotion to the -Boxer cause and to His Imperial Majesty. These papers I intended -to destroy: but remembering that some day the Emperor might -overcome the Empress, I decided to keep the papers. They would -show that I had worked for the Emperor, and thus my fortunes -would be secure should His Imperial Majesty reign alone. As -yet," added Lo-Keong with a shrug, "he has not reigned alone and -my august mistress still rules the destinies of the middle -kingdom." - -"Ah. And if she got those papers?----" - -"She would cut off my head," replied Lo-Keong quietly, "so now -you see why I thought it best to conceal them. I wished to -preserve the papers so as to keep myself in favour with the -Emperor, when he became supreme, and I wished to conceal them -from the Empress Dowager and her spies, while she ruled China. -You understand?" - -"We do," said the young couple. "So you used the means of the -fan to tell where they were hidden?" asked Rupert. - -The Mandarin assented. "I did. I spoke to your father about this -plan of concealment. I knew the papers would not be safe in -China, as the emissaries of Hop Sing would find them, and I -should be ruined, so on the suggestion of your father, I decided -to hide them in England." - -"But why in the Abbey?" - -"Mr. Markham Ainsleigh's suggestion, sir. He said that this -place had been in the possession of his family for years and -would likely continue to remain under the Ainsleigh--" - -"Alas--alas," sighed Rupert. - -"Not at all, sir," was Lo-Keong's brisk reply, "you will -have enough money to keep this place I assure you. But to -continue--your father, whose health was very bad, arranged to -take his money back to this place, and to take also the papers I -wished to hide. We arranged that they should be concealed in the -third tree and then I hit upon the plan of an invisible picture -on the fan with the assistance of the beads to identify the -hiding-place." - -"But was that necessary when you knew the hiding-place?" - -"I wished my heirs to benefit by my services to the Emperor -during the Boxer rising; and they were not to know of the -existence of these papers till I died. So you will understand--" - -"Yes! It's very interesting, so please go on." - -"Well while we were arranging these things Forge went to Pekin, -and got a concession to work the mine from the Empress through -the influence of Hop Sing. Meanwhile, I arranged to enter the -service of my Imperial Mistress, and left your father ill of -dysentery." - -"Of which, according to Forge, he died." - -"No," said the Mandarin decisively, "he was recovering. He had -the packet and the fan which he was to take to this place. Hwei -was to go with him, and design the invisible picture and hide -the packet. I went to see about letting your father have the -money which I had invested for him. All was ready and he was -winding up his affairs. Then the emissary of Hop Sing strangled -your father--" - -"Tung-yu," said Rupert much agitated. - -"I have already said that," replied the Marquis rather tartly, -"your father died, and Forge obtained the mine. But he did not -hold it long. I represented that Forge had obtained the death of -Mr. Markham Ainsleigh through Hop Sing. The Empress took my -view. Hop Sing was disgraced and I was promoted. Forge had to -leave China for the time being, but he came back several times. -I sent Hwei to this place with your father's effects and with -the fan. He concealed the packet and drew the picture. Your -mother was alive then, Mr. Ainsleigh, and Hwei showed her the -fan, though he did not tell her the secret." - -"Ah," cried Rupert, "now I remember where I saw the fan." - -"Yes," Lo-Keong nodded, "as a boy of five you may remember it." - -"I certainly do. But Marquis, why did you not send my father's -money to my mother?" - -"Ah. She died, and although I knew you were the heir and in the -guardianship of Forge who was your enemy I could do nothing. Hop -Sing got the upper hand again and I was in my turn disgraced. -Then Hop Sing learned about the papers, and about the fan being -the means of finding the hiding-place. He ordered Tung-yu to -find the fan. Hwei was bringing the fan back from England to me. -He was assaulted when he landed in China, but he luckily had -given the fan to a brother of his, so Hop Sing could not find -it. Then the brother was killed and a coolie, who knew nothing -of the fan, took possession of it. Afterwards, I wanted the fan. -Hop Sing told me what he suspected, so I applied to the god -Kwang-ho. The god declared, through his priest, that Hop Sing -was to come with me to the shrine. He did so, and thus, bitter -enemies as we were, we came for a time to be in peace." - -"And then the arrangement was made?" - -"Yes. The god said that an equal chance must be given to good -and evil. Hwei was appointed to find the fan for me, and to give -death to the person who had it. Tung-yu acted for Hop Sing and -was to give a reward of not less than five thousand pounds so -that the person who held the fan should be rich for life. Each -was to hold sway for twenty-four hours. I caused this to be -published in the Chinese newspaper in Pekin. The coolie heard it -and being fearful lest he should be killed, he kept the fan for -years and said nothing. Then Major Tidman--" - -"Ah I know. He came to see how my father died." - -"Quite so, Mr. Ainsleigh, and the coolie, knowing the fan was -connected with the death--for he afterwards went to Kan-su mine -and asked questions--gave the fan to the Major to get rid of it, -and--" - -"And we know the rest," said Rupert rising. "Tidman gave it to -Dr. Forge, and he gave it to you--or rather you caused it to be -taken from him." - -"No," said the Mandarin, "that is not true. I never saw the fan -till now. All these years I have never set eyes on it." - -"But Dr. Forge said--" - -"Whatever he said he speaks falsely," said Lo-Keong, "but it is -growing late, Mr. Ainsleigh, and I see that your wife is weary. -Let us retire and I shall tell you the rest of the story -to-morrow. But before I go to rest," added the Mandarin -decidedly, "I must assure myself that the packet is still in the -trunk of the third tree." - -Rupert was quite ready and lighted the lantern. The two men went -to the Abbey into the pitchy darkness, and walked to the third -tree near the bare spot. Lo-Keong who seemed to be able to see -in the dark like a cat looked round, and laid his finger on a -huge oak. "This is the tree," said he confidently. - -"But I can't very well see," said Rupert, "from which side do -you count?" - -"From the left to right," explained the mandarin, "in these -robes, Mr. Ainsleigh, I cannot climb the tree, will you please -to do so. You will find the hollow trunk and the line. Pall it -up: the papers will be at the end. Bring them to me if you -please." - -So speaking Lo-Keong took the light and Rupert although in thin -evening dress began to climb the tree. Luckily it was not -difficult as the branches hung low, but it was disagreeable on -account of the dripping wet. Every movement shook down much -moisture. However, the active young man disappeared in the -foliage and then felt round. He could not see, and came down to -get the lantern, which the Chinaman passed to him. Then he found -that the trunk of the tree was broken off, amidst the thick -branches, and that the centre was hollow. He espied a rusty thin -chain, and pulled it up. At the end there was a small box, which -he brought down. With an exclamation of joy Lo-Keong took it. It -opened easily in his hand. - -"Gone," cried the Marquis in a voice of anguish. - -He spoke truly. The box was empty. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI -Who is Guilty? - - -Next morning at the early hour of nine o'clock Orlando Rodgers -drove up to Royabay filled with curiosity. He had received -Rupert's letter which summoned him to come down on matters -connected with the murder, and he was eager to learn details. -Rodgers himself, had been unlucky. He had traced The Stormy -Petrel to the Thames near Rotherhithe, and had learned from the -Captain that two Chinamen had hired the boat for a couple of -days. They went down to Marport and had gone ashore early in the -evening. They came on board again after midnight, and then had -requested to be put ashore at Rotherhithe. The Captain confessed -that he had been paid well for the job, and thought--with a -wink--that there was no chance of his knowing his employers -again. - -Rodgers of course recognised that Tung-yu and Hwei in their -queer partnership had hired the yacht--which it seems was a -public boat anyone could take for a period,--and he knew also -that the den, where Rupert and Clarence had met with their -adventures, was in Rotherhithe. He learned of this from no less -a person than Mr. Burgh himself, for the buccaneer called at the -police office in London to ask if the Chinamen had been caught. -Rodgers had extracted a full account of the adventures, and had -gone to the den only to find it empty, and the Chinamen -conspicuous by their absence. Burgh himself had not returned as -he promised, and the detective was annoyed at this, after he -heard Rupert's story. Had he known what this was, he certainly -would have arrested Burgh there and then, for participation in -the murder. But the astute Clarence in telling his Penter's -Alley adventure, had taken care not to incriminate himself. - -On arrival the detective was shown into the drawing-room where -Rupert was sitting with the stately Mandarin. Olivia was not -present as she had heard quite enough about the fan, and wished -to hear no more, not even the end of Lo-Keong's very interesting -story. Rodgers recognised that Lo-Keong was of a different type -of Celestial to Tung-yu and Hwei, and paid him great deference. -He explained to Rupert his ill-success with the yacht Stormy -Petrel, and detailed the interview with Clarence. - -"I wish I had told you about him in my letter," said Rupert -jumping up, much annoyed with himself, "you could have arrested -him." - -And when Rodgers heard the story, he blamed Ainsleigh, as much -as he blamed himself for not having risked an arrest on -suspicion. - -"But you know, sir," said he, huffily, "Burgh really didn't give -himself away. I could do nothing to him--or to the Captain of -the Stormy Petrel either on what evidence I hear. As to those -Chinamen--" - -"Ah," said Lo-Keong, "you must let me deal with them Mr. -Rodgers." - -"Can you deal with Tung-yu." - -The Mandarin drew down the corners of his mouth. "I think so," -said he, "it is my belief that he has the papers." - -"What papers, sir?" - -Lo-Keong, seeing it was absolutely necessary to make things -plain, if he wanted to secure his precious packet, related -almost word for word the story he had told on the previous -night. "So you see," he observed, "Tung-yu probably strangled -Miss Wharf as formerly he strangled Mr. Markham Ainsleigh. I -discussed this with Hwei, and he, knowing that Tung-yu had -betrayed him once, was much of the same opinion." - -"But if Tung-yu has the papers, why did he write to Tidman?" -argued Rupert, not inclined to take, this view. - -"Probably to throw Hwei off the scent. Tung-yu knows well enough -that if he started for China, Hwei would suspect he had the -papers, and would follow him to get them." - -"By murder?" - -"Probably," said the Mandarin indifferently, "and after all sir, -why not? Tung-yu killed your father and Miss Wharf. Hwei is -watching him, and if he can make sure that Tung-yu has my -parcel, he will kill him--with my approval," ended Lo-Keong -calmly. - -"Wait a bit," said Rodgers also coolly, though the speech -astonished him not a little, "when you talked to Hwei, you did -not know that the papers had been stolen." - -"No. But he who has the fan has the papers. Hwei and I both -thought that Tung-yu had the fan, and therefore Hwei watches -him. I came down unexpectedly last night instead of waiting, so -that I might assure myself that the packet was safe. But only a -short time before, Mr. Ainsleigh found the fan. Tung-yu must -have come down and taken the papers." - -Rupert nodded. "Certainly. Without doubt he was the ghost Mrs. -Petley saw, and when she came on him suddenly, he dropped the -fan and fled. He must have climbed the wall of the park in spite -of the spikes." - -Lo-Keong smiled sourly, "I do not think anything--spikes or -otherwise would have kept Tung-yu from gaining possession of -those papers. And of course he knew the way to make the picture -visible." - -"How was that. I thought only you and my father and Hwei--" - -"Ah," said the Mandarin calmly, "it seems that Tung-yu overheard -the discussion between myself and your father as to the hiding -of the papers and the plan of the fan. When he strangled Markham -Ainsleigh, he hoped to find the packet at once. But Hwei secured -both the fan and the packet. I have told you how they came to -England, and how Hwei gave the fan to his brother. The brother -was killed by accident and the coolie I spoke of, found the fan -in his clothing, knowing nothing of it's significance. Then he -learned the truth from the notice I put in the Pekin paper, and -was afraid lest he should offend the god Kwang-ho. No he was not -afraid of death--few of us are in China. But the anger of a god -is different: it means ages of torment and the chance of being -born again in the belly of some creeping animal. So the coolie -kept the fan, till he found an opportunity of giving it to a -foreign devil, in the person of Major Tidman. I can't understand -how he knew the Major wanted the fan, save that he must have -heard that Tidman was searching for news as to the death of -Markham Ainsleigh. The coolie then knew, from enquiries at the -mine, that the fan was connected with the death, and thus that -the god Kwang-ho might have appointed the death of Markham. -Yes," said the Mandarin complacently, "the coolie was afraid of -the god, and no doubt was glad when Major Tidman took the fan." - -Rodgers stared as Lo-Keong spoke. "It's rum to hear a gentleman -like yourself talk this way, sir," he said. - -"Ah," smiled the Mandarin, "our Eastern ways are different to -yours." - -"Yes," said the detective, "but you are so clever, that I don't -see how you can believe in all this stuff about the private -god." - -Lo-Keong waved his hand imperatively. "Let us not speak of that, -or we anger Kwang-ho. He is the controller of my destiny. Rather -let us see how we can recover my papers from Tung-yu." - -"If he has them," put in Rupert perplexedly. "And if so, Hwei -will get them back." - -"Assuredly," replied the Mandarin, "the first attempt that -Tung-yu makes to leave England for our own land, Hwei will guess -the truth, and will kill him to get the fan or the papers." - -"But the fan is here." - -"Yes. Hwei however thinks Tung-yu has it. I shall tell him that -Tung-yu has taken the papers. - -"But by breaking the agreement come to before the god, won't -Kwang-ho be angry, Marquis." - -"Hwei does not mind, he is my slave and will do anything for me. -No--No," added the Marquis calmly, "as Tung-yu first disobeyed -the god, in not bringing Miss Wharf to meet with her doom at the -hands of Hwei, Kwang-ho will give him up to my vengeance." - -Neither of the Europeans could make anything of this. "What we -want to know," said Ainsleigh, speaking for himself and Rogers, -"is, how did the fan get back to you?" - -"I told you last night it did not get back," replied Lo-Keong. -"I heard from Hwei that the fan was given to Miss Wharf by -Burgh--but how he got it--" Lo-Keong shook his head. - -"From a pirate in Chinese waters." - -"No. The fan never came back to China." Lo-Keong took a paper -out of his pocket, "I should have given that to you last night. -It will show you why Hwei and Tung-yu came to look for the fan -in England," and he gave the paper to Rupert. - -The young man read it. It was in scratchy female handwriting, -and was to the effect that the fan of the Marquis was in the -possession of a certain person in England. No name was signed to -this paper, and after Rodgers had read it, Lo-Keong took it -again and laid it on the table. "So you see," he remarked, "when -I got that letter, I knew the fan was in England. I sent Hwei to -search for it, and of course Tung-yu on behalf of Hop Sing came -also. They could not find who had written the letter, and -advertised the fan as you know." - -"Then Burgh told a lie," said Rupert. - -Lo-Keong opened his mouth to speak, but before he could do so, -Mrs. Ainsleigh entered with a sheet of foolscap in her hand. "I -beg your pardon for interrupting you gentlemen," she said -excitedly, "but here is something you should know. Rupert," she -turned to her husband and thrust the paper into his hand. "It's -from Dr. Forge." - -"What?" cried Ainsleigh astonished. "Has he dared to write?" - -"Yes, and he writes to some purpose. Read it out Rupert. I am -sure the Marquis and Mr. Rodgers will be glad to hear." - -"If it bears on the case," hesitated the detective. - -"It does," answered Olivia seating herself, "listen." - -Rupert glanced at the heading of the letter. "He gives London as -his address," he said, "so he apparently is afraid of being -caught." - -"Read, dear," said Mrs. Ainsleigh impatiently. - -Thus adjured Rupert began. "My dear Mrs. Ainsleigh," said Forge -in his communication, "I write to you rather than your husband, -as I think you will judge me fairer than he will." - -"As if I could," put in Mrs. Ainsleigh impatiently. - -"I am not a good man, and I never pretended to be. But I have -been poor all my life, and the lack of money is the cause of my -having acted in a way which, otherwise I should not have done. -There is much truth in Becky Sharp's remark that anyone can be -good on five thousand a year. Had I possessed that amount this -letter would never have been written. As it is, I write, because -I hear that the Marquis Lo-Keong is in England, and he will no -doubt, tell your husband his own story." - -"Which is not creditable to Forge," said the Marquis, suavely. - -Rupert nodded and proceeded . . . . "I was at college with -Markham Ainsleigh, your husband's father, and he believed in me. -But I was always jealous of him, as he was handsomer than I was; -he possessed an ancient and honoured name, and was fairly well -off. I was born of poor parents and was of humble origin. -Markham certainly helped me with money and with influence, so -that I obtained my degree." - -"And a nice way he repaid his obligations," said Olivia, -sharply. - -"He's frank enough about his baseness at all events," said -Rupert, and then continued the letter. "Markham wanted money, -and as the doctor of a liner to Hong-Kong, I had heard of a -little-worked gold mine on the Hwei River. I told Markham about -it, and proposed that he should go to China to work the mine. He -agreed, and took me with him, as he thought that my medical -knowledge would benefit him." - -"Does Forge say he owned part of the mine?" asked Lo-Keong. - -"No. Listen," said Rupert, reading slowly. "I was merely the -doctor, as Markham bought the rights to work the mine with his -own money. But he promised me a share, and my share now amounts -to ten thousand pounds." - -"That is true in a way," said Lo-Keong, "out of the money I pay -you, Mr. Ainsleigh, this man can certainly claim that amount." - -"Then what I receive must be a large sum," said Rupert. - -The Chinaman smiled faintly. "Much larger than you think," said -Lo-Keong, "pardon my interruption and proceed." - -Rupert continued. "But I was not satisfied with my share, and -wanted all the money. Lo-Keong had an enemy called Hop Sing, and -he promised if I could ruin Lo-Keong that he would put Markham -out of the way, and give me the money which had been obtained by -working the mine. I knew that Markham had never sent any money -home, as he wanted to wait until he could become a millionaire, -and then return to astonish his wife, and restore the splendours -of Royabay. I therefore saw Hop Sing----" - -"I think you can leave all that out, Mr. Ainsleigh," said -Lo-Keong, "it is the story I told you." - -"So it is," said Rupert, running his eyes down the closely -written page. "Well--hum--hum," he picked up the thread of the -tale lower down. "It seems," he said, speaking for himself, -"that Hop Sing fell into disgrace, and Forge could not get the -money. He went to China several times, as Hop Sing recovered his -position----" - -"And I fell into disgrace," said the Marquis, "the Empress is a -woman you know--pardon me, Mrs. Ainsleigh--and whimsical." - -"Well," said Rupert, smiling, "you seem to have been up and down -several times. When Hop Sing was in favour. Forge went to China, -but the Mandarin refused to help him to get the money which was -under the control of Lo-Keong, unless the fan was obtained. -Forge learned the conditions of the fan, and finally got it from -the Major. He took it to England and locked it up in a cabinet. -But he was afraid to take it to China or use it in case Hwei -should kill him." - -"And Hwei would have killed him," said the Marquis, "it was as -well that Forge was so careful. But how did he lose the fan?" - -"Miss Pewsey took it," said Rupert glancing at the letter. - -"A woman," the Marquis took the note from the table, and passed -it to Mrs. Ainsleigh. "Tell me, madam, is that a woman's -handwriting." - -Olivia looked surprised. "It is Miss Pewsey's handwriting." - -"Ah," said Rupert, "so she wrote to Lo-Keong telling him the fan -was in England. Listen to what the doctor says," and he began to -read again. "Miss Pewsey came to my house and was very friendly. -She wanted me to marry her, saying she was trying to get Miss -Wharf to leave her the money, that should have been left to you -Mrs. Ainsleigh." - -"Ah," said Olivia significantly, "so she did work for that. Go -on." - -The letter went on as follows:--"I didn't like Miss Pewsey who -was old and ugly and evil--much worse than I ever was, in my -worst days. But she haunted my house and I got used to her. I -used to smoke opium, and grew very ill. In fact on more than one -occasion I became delirious. Miss Pewsey came and nursed me. -She took advantage of my delirium to learn the whole story of -the fan, and learned also--don't be startled at this Mrs. -Ainsleigh--that through me Markham had lost his life." - -"We know that from the Marquis," said Rodgers, "but I suspect -Mr. Forge wouldn't have spoken out had he not guessed the -Marquis would tell the whole yarn. Go on Mr. Ainsleigh." - -"Miss Pewsey," went on the letter, "insisted that I should -marry her, or else she threatened to reveal the story to Rupert. -I was unwilling that this should be, as I thought--and very -rightly--that I should get into trouble." - -"And he would have," Rupert, broke off grimly to explain, "I -should have shaken the life out of him. However, to continue," -and he again began to read this highly interesting letter. "I -therefore agreed to marry her, but always sought an opportunity -of escape. During one of my insensible fits after a bout of -opium smoking. Miss Pewsey took the key from my watch chain and -opening the cabinet gained possession of the fan. I denied this -to Major Tidman at Miss Pewsey's behest, or else Miss Pewsey -would have denounced me." - -"Not she," said Rodgers, chuckling, "she would have lost her -husband had she done so." - -"She has lost him in any case," said Olivia, "but I can tell you -what is in the rest of the letter, as I see Rupert is tired of -reading. Miss Pewsey gave the fan to Clarence to give to me----" - -"To win your favour," said Rupert. - -"No. To bring about my death. Miss Pewsey thought if I was out -of the way, she would get Aunt Sophia to leave her the money." - -"What a wicked woman," said Lo-Keong, "we have none such in -China." - -"Well," went on Olivia rapidly, "Miss Pewsey wrote to the -Marquis saying the fan was in England--" - -"Here is the letter," said Rodgers nodding towards the epistle. - -"Yes. How strange I should see it almost immediately after Dr. -Forge wrote," said Mrs. Ainsleigh innocently. - -"Miss Pewsey laid her plans well," said Rupert, looking again at -the letter, "she intended to tell Hwei that Olivia had the fan -so that she should be killed. But Olivia refused the fan, and -Miss Pewsey made Clarence give it to Miss Wharf, so that the -poor lady might be killed. But Miss Pewsey delayed the death at -the hands of Hwei by holding her tongue, till a will was made in -her favour. Chance favoured her, for she got the will altered." - -"By learning of our marriage when she played the spy," said -Olivia. - -"Quite so," said Ainsleigh, "she then read the advertisement and -knew that the two men, Hwei and Tung-yu, were in England. She -wrote and told them that Miss Wharf had the fan. The letter was -sent shortly before the ball, and after the new will was made. -Tung-yu, therefore, came down to the ball to get the fan. This -was not what Miss Pewsey wanted, as she desired Hwei to kill the -woman." - -"She knew about the god Kwang-ho, then?" asked Lo-Keong. - -"I think so, but Forge isn't clear on that point. However, he -declared that he does not know who killed Miss Wharf, nor who -has the fan. He was told by Clarence, how he,--Burgh, had -accused him to the Chinamen, and then grew fearful. Also, he -heard that the Marquis was in England, and so he knew the whole -story would come out. As he dreaded arrest, he fled." - -"But he could have prevented Burgh from speaking," said Olivia, -"you know, Rupert, how Mr. Burgh told you that Forge knew things -about him." - -"I daresay if the Marquis had not come to England, Forge would -have silenced Clarence and fought the matter out. But he knew -that the truth about my father's death would be told by the -Marquis, and also dreaded, lest he should be accused of Miss -Wharf's murder. He says that Clarence never gave him the tie as -he says he did, and declares that he was in the card-room all -the evening." - -"How does he end the letter?" asked Rodgers. - -Rupert read the last words. "So I write you this, Mrs. Ainsleigh, to -show you that I am innocent of the death of your aunt. I see that -the game is up and that I'll never get the ten thousand from Lo-Keong. -Also, if I remain, I shall have to marry Miss Pewsey and cannot bear -the idea. When you get this I'll be far away on the sea on a voyage -to a land I need not particularise." - -"Not China, I hope," said the Marquis, "if he comes there again, -I shall have to kill him. He deserves to be punished for having -brought about the death of my friend Markham Ainsleigh. What is -to be done now, gentlemen? We are no further on than before." - -"We certainly don't know who had the fan," said Rodgers. - -"Or who has the packet," put in Olivia. - -"Tung-yu has it I am sure," said Lo-Keong. - -"I don't agree with you, Marquis," said the detective. "Tung-yu -and Hwei certainly cleared back to Rotherhithe by that yacht, -but if the fan had been on board Hwei would have spotted it." - -"Tung-yu is very cunning," said the Marquis doubtfully. - -"Well," said Rupert, folding Forge's letter up, "I suggest that -the Marquis should offer a large reward for the fan with his own -name appended. Then whosoever has the packet will bring it. For -of course," added Rupert shrewdly, "those who had the fan--if -more than one--will have the packet." - -"Tung-yu--Tung-yu," said the Marquis shaking his head, "however, -I will try the advertisement, and appoint a place. I am willing -to give a large sum for the packet." - -"And I am prepared to arrest the person who brings the packet as -the murderer of Miss Wharf," said Rodgers, "you leave the thing -to me Marquis." - -"Come with me to London my friend," said Lo-Keong, "and we will -write the advertisement. I shall reward you largely, if you get -this packet back again." - -"And what will you do, Rupert?" asked Olivia eagerly. - -Her husband looked up. "I shall hunt for the packet on my own -account." - -"Good," said Lo-Keong in his stately manner, "we will see who is -fortunate enough to bring me the packet and earn," he looked at -Rupert impressively, "one hundred thousand pounds." - - - - -CHAPTER XXII -After-Events - - -Rodgers went to London with the Marquis Lo-Keong that very day, -and Rupert wanted to go also. But Olivia objected to this, she -feared lest her husband should be wounded again. "I don't wish -to lose you darling," said Mrs. Ainsleigh coaxingly. - -"But the money," said Rupert dubiously. - -"You mean the hundred thousand pounds," said Olivia "That will -be paid to you by the Marquis. It is rightfully your own." - -"Humph! It seemed to me that Lo-Keong hinted he would pay the -money to whomsoever brought him the packet. In that case -Rodgers----" - -"Nonsense," said Olivia quickly, "I am quite sure that the -Marquis means well to both of us. No doubt he will reward -Rodgers largely, should he get the packet: but he will give you -your father's money." - -"All the same I should like to hunt for the packet on my own -account, Olivia," said Rupert obstinately. - -"Let those hunt, to whom the packet is of value." - -"But I don't believe that this advertisement will bring forth -anything," argued Ainsleigh frowning "if Tung-yu has the packet, -he certainly won't pass it along to Lo-Keong. If Burgh stole it, -he will be afraid lest Hwei, who is in Lo-Keong's pay, should -kill him. As to Tidman--" - -"You thought he was guilty," said Olivia smiling. - -"And I still have my doubts," rejoined her husband, "so I'll -call at the Bristol and have a talk." - -This conversation took place the day after the Mandarin had -departed and Rupert was worrying about the exciting chase for -the packet, which he foresaw would take place. However, as -Olivia insisted, he should not risk his life again with -Asiatics, he interested himself still in the case by talking it -over with Major Tidman. On arriving at the Bristol, he was shown -up at once to Tidman's room, and found the Major spick and span -as usual, but greatly excited. - -"I was just coming up to see you," said the Major, "look here?" and he -handed Rupert the morning's copy of the _Daily Telegraph_. - -Ainsleigh looked at the place indicated by the Major, and saw -the advertisement asking for the return of the fan, on delivery -of which the sum of five thousand would be paid. "I see that the -Marquis has lost no time," said Rupert throwing down the paper, -"he and Rodgers must have inserted the advertisement at once." - -"Oh," said the Major staring, "so you know." - -"Yes. Lo-Keong and Rogers were with me yesterday." - -"Lo-Keong. Why that is the man who owns the fan?" - -"Exactly. He is a Marquis, and high in the service of the -Empress Dowager of China. As to the fan--" Rupert rapidly -detailed how it had been found in the cloisters and related also -the subsequent discovery, that the box attached to the chain in -the tree trunk, was empty. "And the man who took the fan from -Miss Wharf's dead body stole the packet," said Rupert, "so it is -not likely he will risk arrest by coming forward to give the -papers to Lo-Keong." - -Tidman sat down astounded at these revelations. "I wish I had -been present," said he, "I was always curious about the fan's -secret. A very ingenious device, Ainsleigh." - -"Very," assented Rupert dryly: then he cast a side-long look on -the Major, and spoke to the point. "You had nothing to do with -the stealing of the fan I hope, Major." - -"I," cried Tidman bouncing from his seat like an india rubber -ball. - -"Well you see," went on Rupert, "we met on the beach after -eleven, but it is just possible in spite of Forge's evidence, -that Miss Wharf may have been killed before then." - -"And you believe that I killed her. Thank you Ainsleigh." - -"My good friend," rejoined the young man calmly, "Lo-Keong -believes that Tung-yu broke his oath before the god, and -strangled Miss Wharf. But I disagree with him, as Tung-yu could -have procured the fan by milder means, the next day. Hwei could -not have strangled the woman, as he was haunting the Abbey -grounds to see if the packet was still safe. Forge, in a letter -to my wife, insists that he never got the tie, and certainly did -not kill Miss Wharf, so--" - -"So you have narrowed it down to me," cried Tidman in a burst of -indignation, "it's too bad of you, Ainsleigh. I am not a thin -skinned man by any means: but I do feel this very deeply. I -swear," the Major flung up his hand dramatically, "I swear that -I never possessed the tie, and I never killed Miss Wharf and I -never took the fan and--" - -"That's all right," interrupted Rupert, "if you did not take the -tie, you certainly could not have strangled the woman. After -all, perhaps I have been too hard on you. Major." - -"Ah," said Tidman angrily, "you are prepared to take my word for -it now, unsupported by other evidence. Your accusation can't be -made seriously, Ainsleigh." - -"Well upon my soul," said Rupert passing his hand through his -hair, "I really don't know what to think or say. This case seems -to grow more mystical at every step. I admit that, as you -deceived me at the time, we discussed the advertisement--" - -"You think I deceived you again. Well I did not. That was my one -and only deception. I wanted the fan in order to procure money I -admit: but the danger of being killed by Hwei instead of being -rewarded by Tung-yu was too great. I dropped the matter." - -"Then who do you think is guilty?" - -"Clarence Burgh. Oh I am sure of it. He admits that Miss Pewsey -told him the tie was in the overcoat pocket. No doubt he took -it out and used it to incriminate you. Then again, Burgh learned -from Tung-yu how the picture could be rendered visible--" - -"True enough," mused Rupert, "well he, might be guilty. And he -certainly was in the cloisters one day--" - -"So as to examine the place," said the Major. "And afterwards, -he came at night in the monk's disguise, knowing about the ghost -and the legend. He was startled when he secured the packet and -left the fan by accident on the black square." - -"Or by design," said Ainsleigh, "remembering the prophecy which -says that 'gold will come from the holy ashes.' If I get this -one hundred thousand pounds the prophecy will certainly be -fulfilled, in a sort of way. It was indirectly owing to the fan -that Lo-Keong told me of the money my father made in China, and -through the fan, when the packet is restored, he intends to give -the money to me." - -"Oh humbug," said the Major contemptuously. "I don't believe in -that foolish rhyme a bit. But are you of my opinion that Burgh -is guilty?" - -"Yes--in the way you put it, it seems probable." - -"Well then," said Tidman angrily and striking the table with his -fist. "I have had enough of being suspected, so I'll help you to -hunt down the assassin. I _must_ know who killed Miss Wharf, or -else you will be accusing me again. See here," and he threw a -paper on the table. - -It was a square of yellow paper, strongly perfumed, which asked -the Major to bring the fan to the den in Penter's Alley. "You -showed me this before," said Rupert. "I went up on your behalf." - -"Look at the date," said Tidman pointing, "it's a new -invitation. I think Tung-yu--who writes the letter--believes I -killed the woman and have the fan after all. Well, last time, -you went on my behalf, this time, danger or no danger I'll go -myself. You can come if you like." - -"I shall certainly come," said Rupert jumping up, "Olivia does -not want me to proceed further in this matter, but, now that you -are going, I'll go too. Tung-yu can't know that the fan is in my -hands, or that the packet is missing." - -"He's not so clever as I thought he was," said Tidman coolly, -"or he wouldn't have bungled this affair as he has done. I am -not afraid of him, now. But you see that the appointment is for -to-morrow night at nine o'clock." - -"At Penter's Alley under the lantern. Exactly--the same place. -But as Rodgers knows of my adventure, I wonder Tung-yu risks -another meeting. Besides, Rodgers told me he had been to the den -and found both Chinamen gone." - -"Oh, thunderbolts never strike in the same spot twice," said -Tidman, "it is the safest place. Rodgers, having gone once, will -not go again. Well, will you come." - -"Yes," said Rupert, firmly and went back to the Abbey, to -persuade his wife to let him make one more attempt to solve the -mystery. - -Olivia was obdurate at first, but after a time, she yielded, -though she assured Rupert she should be miserable all the time -he was away. "And _do_ take care of yourself," she said. - -"Of course I'll take every care," replied her husband; and so it -was arranged that Rupert should go up to town with Major Tidman -by the six o'clock train the next evening, and proceed to -Penter's Alley, to see Tung-yu, and learn--if possible, the -truth. - -Olivia's attention was somewhat taken off the projected -expedition to the wilds of Rotherhithe, by a visit from Lady -Jabe. That eccentric female, looking more like a judge than -ever, and dressed in a most manly fashion appeared, with a -shining face, to announce that Chris was engaged to marry Lotty -Dean. - -"It's most delightful," said Lady Jabe, "her father is merely a -retired grocer, but I have consented to over-look that, if he -settles some money on the young couple." - -"And has he consented?" asked Olivia languidly. She did not take -much interest in the affairs of Mr. Walker. - -"Yes. Mr. Dean has allowed his daughter a thousand a year, paid -quarterly," said Lady Jabe amiably, "and that, with what Chris -earns at the office, will keep us nicely." - -"Us?" echoed Mrs. Ainsleigh smiling. - -"Certainly," was Lady Jabe's calm reply, "I have been a mother -to Chris, and I intend to be a mother to Lotty. I shall look -after the house, and control the purse, otherwise, the young -pair may get into the bankruptcy court." - -Olivia privately thought that under Lady Jabe's care the young -couple, would have a bad time, even though they might be free -from bankruptcy. "What does Mr. Walker say?" - -"Oh Chris is delighted. He had better be. I'd like to see him -cross me, dear Olivia. I've broken his spirit thoroughly. Lotty -certainly is a trifle difficult, but I'll break her also by -degrees." - -"I think you should leave Mr. and Mrs. Walker to manage their -own affairs," said Olivia indignantly. - -"Oh dear me no," replied Lady Jabe calmly, "that would never do. -A couple of babies, my dear Olivia, who need a firm hand. I'll -look after them and receive a small sum for doing so. My late -husband did not leave me well off," she went on confidentially, -"so it is necessary that I should do the best for myself. But -now, that's all settled and I'm glad you are pleased." - -"Not with your proposed arrangement, Lady Jabe." - -"Oh, yes you are, dear Olivia. Nothing could be better, whatever -you may say. And now to talk of other and less pleasing matters. -Miss Pewsey who robbed you of your inheritance, is about to -leave Marport. Yes--you may look surprised: but she is selling -Ivy Lodge and intends to go to America." - -"In search of the doctor?" asked Mrs. Ainsleigh doubtfully. - -"Quite so, I understand that Dr. Forge has gone there. But just -think what a brazen women Miss Pewsey must be, to follow a man -who left her--as you might say at the altar. Miss Pewsey is in -London now making arrangements to sail for New York--so she told -me yesterday. I wish her all joy," added Lady Jabe shaking her -head, "but I fear the man will spend her money and leave her." - -When Lady Jabe went, Olivia thought over the projected departure -of Miss Pewsey on the trail of Dr. Forge, She was glad at heart, -that her enemy was leaving Marport, but could not help thinking -that the bitter little woman, was going out of her way to make -trouble, for herself. And as Forge was wanted, for participation -in Markham Ainsleigh's murder, Olivia though, she would inform -her husband of his whereabouts, so that he might be brought back -if necessary. But Rupert listened thoughtfully, and then replied -after consideration. - -"I won't move in the matter," he said calmly, "Forge behaved -like a scoundrel, but as he has gone, I leave him in God's -hands. He will get his deserts yet, Olivia." - -"Will you send him the ten thousand pounds, Rupert?" - -"No," said the young man decisively. "I shall certainly not do -that. Forge deserves some punishment and shall have it, by being -deprived of the money he sinned to obtain. He did not kill my poor -father, but he certainly brought about his death indirectly. Leave -him to God, Olivia. As for ourselves, we will get our own money from -Lo-Keong, and restore the Abbey." - -"And Miss Pewsey's mortgage?" - -"It is due shortly before Christmas, and I shall be able to pay -it off before then. Miss Pewsey has done her worst, Olivia. -Henceforth she will be harmless." - -"And what about her punishment, Rupert?" - -"I should think the loss of Forge has punished her. And, if she -really intends to follow him, she will be more disappointed. The -man will not marry her. No, Olivia, Miss Pewsey also sinned to -get money, but she will be punished, you may be certain." - -The next evening Rupert again assumed his old suit and heavy -cloak and went away. Olivia clung to him as he left the door. -"Oh my darling be careful," she said, "if you are killed--" - -"I won't be," Rupert assured her. "I have taken the precaution -to write telling Rodgers of this meeting. He will bring, by my -advice, a couple of plain-cloth policemen to Penter's Alley, and -if there is trouble, both the Major and I will be able to get -away." - -Comforted thus, Olivia kissed her husband, and saw him drive -down the avenue. Then she returned to her room to count the -moments, until he returned. All their troubles had brought -Olivia and Rupert closer together, and in their implicit trust -in one another, lay the elements of future happiness. - -Ainsleigh found the Major also plainly dressed, waiting at the -station, and the two were speedily on their way to town. Owing -to an accident to the train, they were late in arriving at -Liverpool Street station and the Major fumed. "We won't be in -time," he said when they went to the underground railway. - -"Oh, I think so," said Rupert calmly, "it's just as well, we -should not be too early. I want Rodgers and his men to be on the -spot." - -"But what do you think will come of all this?" asked Tidman, -nervously. - -"I think we will find the papers." - -"But if Tung-yu had them, he would not have written to me." - -"He is playing some sort of game. I can't understand, and I have -given up theorizing. Let us wait." - -The Major grumbled a little, but finally agreed that Ainsleigh -was right. They soon arrived at Rotherhithe, and stepped out -into the main street. The night was fine, and there was a bright -moon. "I like this better than when I was here last," said -Rupert, as the two went down to Penters' Alley. - -"It's a good thing there's a moon," said the Major casting a -glance upward, "if these Chinamen try to bolt, we can chase -them." - -"Do you expect Hwei to be there also?" - -"I can't say," said Tidman, "but if Tung-yu is, I suspect Hwei -won't be far off. They work in couples as you know." - -"And pull against each other like ill-matched dogs," said -Rupert, "a queer compact, this." - -"It's silly. I think the Mandarin must be mad with all this -rubbish about his gim-crack god Kwang-ho. Here we are--and -there's the lantern. What a narrow street." - -They stepped down the Alley in the bright moonlight. The lantern -flared above the same house as Rupert had entered before, and at -the door stood a small figure. It was the Chinese boy dressed in -red. "Ah," said Rupert significantly, "Hwei is certainly here, -as well as Tung-yu, We'll have trouble." - -"If Hwei tries to kill me, I'll shoot," said the Major, and -produced a neat revolver. "I've held my life in my hands before -now." - -Rupert was about to speak to the boy who stood silently before -the closed door, when he heard a long agonised scream within the -house. The boy smiled in a cruel manner, and Rupert tried to -dash past. But the boy prevented him. Tidman, however, was more -fortunate and flung himself against the door. Evidently, a -tragedy was taking place inside. As the Major ran forward, the -door opened suddenly and Burgh dashed out and down the street, -towards the river. After him came Tung-yu, his face alive with -fury. Tidman gave a shout, and made after the two, but Rupert, -wondering who was being killed, sprang down the passage and -entered the room, where formerly he had met with the adventure. -A tall Chinaman was standing in the middle of the floor wiping a -knife on his blouse. He turned, and Rupert beheld Hwei. The -Chinaman pointed to the floor with a ghastly smile. "The doom of -the god Kwang-ho," said he, and ran out of the house swiftly. - -Rupert cast his eyes on a body lying on the floor. It was that -of a woman and from her breast a stream of blood was flowing. -She was not yet dead, but looked up with a pain-drawn face. -Ainsleigh drew back with an exclamation. It was Miss Pewsey. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII -The Chase - - -Rupert stared at the wounded woman amazed. How came Miss Pewsey -into this den? He was so astonished, that he forgot to call for -assistance. Miss Pewsey gave a moan and opened her eyes. At once -she recognised Ainsleigh, for the light from the tasselled -lantern overhead, fell full on his amazed face. - -"So you are safe," said Miss Pewsey with difficulty, "didn't -Tung-yu kill you." - -"I have just arrived," said Rupert, "your nephew has gone out -followed by Tung-yu." - -"I hope he'll catch him," muttered Miss Pewsey, "Tung-yu stabbed -me. Clarence snatched the papers and ran away leaving me here to -die." - -"How did you get the papers?" asked Rupert startled. - -"I got them from Clarence--he asked me to come up here, -and--oh," she fell back insensible. Rupert thought she was dead -and forgetting where he was, cried loudly for assistance. He -heard footsteps approaching and Lo-Keong in sober attired -entered. The stately Chinaman was roused out of his usual self. -He appeared disturbed and his face was distorted. "Rodgers and -his men are chasing Tung-yu," said Lo-Keong grasping Rupert's -arm, "go after them. Tung-yu has the papers." - -"But Miss Pewsey." - -Lo-Keong started back. "That woman," he cried, as startled as -Rupert had been, "pooh, let her die. She deserves her fate. She -has been the cause of the trouble. Go--go, Mr. Ainsleigh--go -after Tung-yu." - -"But Miss Pewsey!" repeated Rupert, seeing the woman open her -eyes, and recognising that life yet remained. - -"I'll see to her. I'll get a doctor." Lo-Keong struck the gong -near the door. "But get me those papers. All my life depends -upon them. Remember--one hundred thousand pounds--go--go. It may -be too late. Don't allow Tung-yu to escape." - -Rupert was quite bewildered as the Chinaman pushed him out of -the door. Then, recognising that he could do nothing to help -Miss Pewsey, and that Lo-Keong, for his own sake would do all he -could to keep her alive, so that he might learn how the packet -came into her possession, Rupert ran out of the house, and found -the street filled with screaming Chinamen and chattering -Europeans. Some policemen were coming down the alley from the -main thoroughfare, and everyone appeared to be alarmed. The -ragged mob rushed into various doors, at the sight of the -officers, but the Chinamen still continued to cackle and scream. -Suddenly Rupert heard a revolver shot, and wondered if the Major -had got into trouble. Remembering that Burgh, with Tung-yu in -pursuit, had gone down the alley towards the water, he raced in -the same direction, and at once, two policemen, seeing him go, -followed. There was no time to undeceive them, so Rupert ran on, -eager to come up with Burgh. He had the papers, according to -Miss Pewsey, and in spite of Lo-Keong's statement, Ainsleigh -suspected that Miss Pewsey was right. Else Tung-yu would not be -in pursuit of the buccaneers. As Rupert tore down the moonlit -alley, he heard the high clear voice of the Mandarin calling on -the police to stop. Then the tumult recommenced. - -It mattered little to Ainsleigh. As he raced blindly on, he felt -a thrill of joy in his veins. It seemed to him that he had never -lived before, and that this man-hunt was the climax of life. At -the end of the Alley he came on a dilapidated wharf, which ran -out into the turbid water, and saw a stout figure dancing on -this. At once he hurried down to find Major Tidman, who -recognised him at once. - -"There was a boat waiting," gasped the Major seizing Rupert's -arm. "Burgh jumped into it and pushed off. Tung-yu came after, -and as the boat was already in mid-stream he plunged into the -water." - -"Where is Hwei?" - -"Rodgers and his men are after him. I fired a shot, and I -believe, I hit Tung-yu, as he was swimming. Who has the papers?" - -"Burgh. Keep a look out for him. I'll run along the bank," and -before the Major could expostulate, Ainsleigh dashed up the -wharf and ran along the bank of the river. - -He did this because his quick eye had seen a black head bobbing -in the water below the wharf. The swimmer was evidently making -for the near shore. Rupert did not know if it was Tung-yu or -Hwei, but hurried at top speed along the bank, in the hope of -catching the man when he came ashore. He sped along a kind of -narrow way, for here, the old houses of Rotherhithe came down, -almost to the water's edge. There were lights in some of the -windows, but for the most part, these were in darkness. To -Rupert's left, loomed the house, and on his right was the river -bank, shelving down to the glittering water. A few piles ran out -into the stream, and as the river was low, there were acres of -evil-smelling mud. The man was making for the bank and battling -hard against the stream, which was sweeping him down. Rupert -shouted, and seeing him on the bank, the swimmer seemed to stop, -apparently dreading the reception he would get. - -Finally he resumed his stroke, and made for a wharf, some -distance down. Ainsleigh ran for this, but was stopped by a -wooden fence. He managed to climb over, and raced on to the -wharf; but the swimmer was nowhere to be seen. - -Suddenly, Rupert caught sight of a figure crawling up the bank a -little distance below, and again ran up the wharf to the -pathway. The man who had landed caught sight of him, and leaping -on to the hard path, ran along the river bank, but in a swaying -manner, as though his powers of endurance were exhausted. -Considering how hard he had battled with the current, probably -the man's strength had given out and Rupert, feeling fresh and -fit, thought he would have no difficulty in catching up. But the -man ran hard, and then dropped out of sight below the bank. -Apparently he had taken to the river again. Rupert raced down so -quickly, as to overshoot the mark, where the man had slipped -down. While looking round, he caught sight of him again. He ran -up the bank and dodged into a narrow side street. Rupert was -after him in a moment. The man had vanished round a corner--so -Ainsleigh thought--but when Rupert came after, he saw the street -in the moonlight was perfectly empty, and turned back. The -fugitive had tricked him, by dodging into a dark corner, and was -again on the bank. He leaped on the wharf, and scrambled down -the piles to a boat which swung at the end of a long rope. While -he hauled this in painfully, and pantingly, Rupert leaped on -him. The man looked up with an oath, and closed with his -pursuer. It was Burgh. - -"The papers--the papers," gasped Rupert, "you give them up." - -"I'll kill you first," said Burgh setting his teeth, and, -exhausted as he was, he struggled with preternatural strength. -The two men swung and swayed on the edge of the wharf, till -Burgh tripped up his opponent and both fell into the water. -Rupert still held his grip, and felt the body of Burgh grow -heavy. He rose to the surface, dragging at the buccaneer, and, -as the two had fallen into shallow water, Rupert staggered on to -the evil-smelling mud. He was obliged to let go Burgh, who -apparently, had been playing possum, for he rose to his feet and -made a feeble attempt to climb the bank. Seeing this, Rupert, -who was almost exhausted himself with the long pursuit and the -cold doûche, struck out, and Burgh, with a cry of rage fell flat -into the mud. The next moment Rupert was kneeling on his chest. -"The papers, you scoundrel," he said between his teeth. - -"Haven't got them. Tung-yu----" - -"You lie. Give me those papers, or I'll tear your clothes off to -find them." - -Burgh tried to utter a taunting laugh, but the effort was too -much for his strength. He stopped suddenly, and with a sob -closed his eyes. The body became inert, and as Rupert could see -no wound, he concluded that the buccaneer had fainted. At once -he removed his knee, and began his search. He went deliberately -through the pockets of the insensible man, and finally came -across a packet bound in red brocade. It was in Burgh's breast, -next to the skin. Rupert, with this in his hand, rose with a -gasp of relief. He had the papers after all, and now, could hope -to get the money from the Mandarin. He slipped the important -packet into his pocket, and then producing a flask of brandy, he -forced a few drops between the clenched teeth of his antagonist. -He did not wish the man to die, and moreover, he was desirous of -questioning him. In a few moments Burgh opened his eyes. "You," -he said, as soon as he recovered his scattered senses, and he -made an effort to rise. - -"No you don't," said Rupert pushing him back, "you'll try and -reach for your revolver." - -"Go slow," muttered Burgh, lying on his back in the mud. "I give -in, Ainsleigh. You've won." - -"I've got the papers, if that's what you mean. They shall be -given to Lo-Keong." - -"And you'll get the five thousand." - -"I'll get one hundred thousand," said Rupert, keeping a watchful -eye on his late opponent. - -"Huh," said Burgh with a groan, "what luck. And all I have got, -is a ducking. Let me up and give me some more brandy. Remember, -I saved your life from Forge, Ainsleigh." - -"Quite so, and you tried to kill me just now," said Rupert -dryly. "I think we are quits. However, here's the brandy, and -you can sit up. No treachery mind, or I'll shoot you," and -Rupert pulled out his Derringer. - -The buccaneer gave a grunt and sat up with an effort. "I'm not -up to a row," he gasped. "There's no fight left in me. Great -Scott, to think I was so near success. I'll be poor for the rest -of my life, I guess." - -"You'll be hanged for the murder of Miss Wharf, you mean." - -Burgh took a deep draught of the brandy, which put new life into -his veins. He actually grinned when he took the flask from his -lips. "I reckon that's not my end," said he. "I never killed the -old girl. No sir--not such a flat." - -"Then who did kill her?" - -"Find out," was the ungracious response. - -"See here, Burgh," said Rupert, swinging himself on to a pile of -the wharf. "I mean to get to the bottom of this business, once -and for all. The papers shall be given to the Marquis and then, -I hope, we shall hear the last of this fan business. But I must -know who killed--" - -"There--there," said Burgh with a shrug, and after another -drink, "I cave in: you've got the bulge on me. But I guess, if -you want to keep those papers, you'd best clear out, Tung-yu -will be along soon looking for them. I leaped into a boat and -pushed out, but that Chinese devil swam after, and when I got -into trouble with the oars, he climbed on board with a long -knife. I jumped over-board and made for the bank, where you -raced me down. But I guess Tung-yu will bring that craft of his -ashore, and he's hunting for me like a dog as he is." - -"Rodgers, and Hwei, and Lo-Keong, and a lot of policemen are -hunting for Tung-yu," said Rupert coolly, "so you need give -yourself no further trouble. Tell me why you killed Miss Wharf?" - -"I didn't, confound you," growled Burgh. - -"Then you know who did?" - -"Yes--it was Forge." - -"That's a lie. Forge wrote to my wife, and denied that you gave -him the tie." - -"Then Tidman killed the old girl." - -"No. He was with me on the beach. Come now, you shan't get off -in this way. Tell me who is guilty?" - -"If I do, will you let me go?" - -"I make no bargains. Out with it." - -Burgh looked black, but being tired out and at the mercy of -Rupert's revolver, he growled sulkily, "It was Aunt Lavinia." - -"Miss Pewsey--that frail little woman--impossible." - -"Frail," echoed the Buccaneer with scorn, "she's as tough as -hickory and as wicked a little devil as ever breathed. Why, she -learned about the fan from Forge when he was delirious, and gave -away the show to Lo-Keong in China--" - -"I know that. And she wished Olivia to have the fan, that she -might be killed." - -"That's so, you bet. But old Wharf got it, and so, was killed." - -"But not by Tung-yu, or Hwei." - -"No." Burgh took a final drink, and having emptied the flask, -flung it into the river. Then he took out a cigarette, which was -dry enough to light. When smoking, he began to laugh. "Well this -is a rum show," said he. "I guess you've got all the fun. I'm -sold proper." - -"Tell me your story," said Rupert imperatively, "I want to get -back to Penter's Alley to see your aunt." - -"Oh, I guess she's a goner by this time," said Burgh easily, -"Tung-yu knifed her." - -"You mean Hwei. I found him wiping the knife." - -"No. Tung-yu stuck her, and dropped the knife. Aunty was just -passing the packet to Hwei, when Tung-yu stabbed her. I reckon -he intended to grab the packet, but I was too sharp for him, and -caught it away from his hand. Then I raced out and he after me. -Hwei stayed behind to clean the knife, I reckon." - -"No, he followed you two almost immediately." - -"Then both Chinamen will be here soon. You'd best cut." - -"Not till I learn the truth." - -"I've told you the truth," snapped Burgh, in a weary voice. "My -old aunt strangled Miss Wharf. Yes. Aunty told me of the tie, -and asked me to get it for her. I didn't know what she wanted to -do with it, so I did. I took it out of your pocket when Dalham -was out of the room. Then I gave it to aunty. She told Miss -Wharf that Tung-yu wanted to see her on the steps, after eleven. -Miss Wharf went there and then aunty followed and sat down -beside her on the steps. I guess she kept her in talk and then -slipped the tie round her old throat and pulled with all her -might. And she's strong, I can tell you," added Clarence -confidentially. "She nearly broke my arm one day twisting it. -Miss Wharf hadn't time to call out, and was a deader in two -minutes, for aunty froze on to her like death." - -"Death indeed," murmured Rupert with a shudder. - -"Well then aunty bucked up round by the front of the hotel with -the fan in her pocket and left the tie round the neck of the old -girl, so that _you_ might hang. All went well, but the next day -I went to aunty and asked for the fan. She was very sick, as she -intended to sell it that day to Tung-yu. But Tung-yu had cut -along with Hwei in the yacht, both thinking they might be -accused of the murder. They thought that old Tidman did the -biznai," grinned Burgh, "and I let them think so, having my own -game to play with aunty." - -"Well," said Ainsleigh shortly, "and what did you do?" - -"I told aunty I'd split if I didn't get the fan, so she -passed it along to me. Then I learned about the secret from -Tung-yu--the waving in the smoke you know. I found out the kind -of smoke from Forge--" - -"And repaid him by a lying accusation." - -"That's so," said Burgh coolly, "there ain't no flies on me. But -let's heave ahead. It's cold sitting here." - -"Go on then," said Ainsleigh sharply. - -"Well I learned about the picture, and guessed about the abbey. -The picture was plain enough. I came that day you found me, to -see the place." - -"And stole the packet then?" - -"No, I waited till night and rigged myself up as the Abbot. I -knew it would make anyone sick who saw a monk about at that -hour." - -"Not me," said Ainsleigh, "if I had caught you----" - -"Well you very nearly did," confessed Burgh candidly, "I came at -night and climbed all four trees before I nipped the box. Then I -prized it open and climbed down leaving the box, so that -Lo-Keong might get sold when he came to look. Just as I got -down, that old housekeeper of yours screeched, and cut. I was -startled, and dropped the fan. Not wishing to leave that behind, -I began to look for it. Then you and the butler turned up and I -lighted out sharp." - -"What happened next?" - -"Well I wanted the money, but not knowing the days of Hwei and -Tung-yu, thought I might get stabbed, instead of the money. So I -took the packet to Aunty, and asked her to go up, telling her -Tung-yu would give her the money. She fell into the trap." - -"But she knew that Hwei--" - -"It wasn't Hwei's day," said Burgh, "at least it turned out so, -though I didn't know it at the time, and so sent on Aunty to get -the cash. I intended to pull the dollars out of her when she did -get them, or leave her to die if Hwei knifed her." - -"You blackguard." - -"Go slow," said Burgh coolly, "aunty was no friend to you. I -say, do you know why aunty wanted me to marry Olivia. It was -because I'm married already and if--" - -He got no further. Rupert knocked him backwards into the mud. -Burgh leaped to his feet, and suddenly cried, "Look behind." -Rupert did so very foolishly, and Burgh flung himself forward. -But all the same Burgh was right to warn Ainsleigh. A man was -staggering along the wharf. He was in Chinese dress. - -"Knife him, Tung-yu," cried Burgh, struggling with Rupert, "I'll -hold him. He's got the papers." - -The Chinaman gave a screech and hurled himself on the pair. -Rupert wrenched himself away from Burgh and struck out at -Tung-yu. At the same moment he heard another cry, and Hwei came -leaping down the wharf. Before Tung-yu could turn, his enemy was -on him, and as Rupert was again closing in death grips with -Burgh, he had no time to see what was taking place. He could -hear the Chinamen snarling like angry cats on the wharf, and was -himself fighting in the mud with Burgh for his life. Luckily -Rupert got his hand free and it was the one which held the -revolver. He fired at random--three shots. - -There was a shout in the distance: but at that moment, the -buccaneer seized him by the throat and threw him down. Rupert -with a strangled cry felt himself being forced beneath the -water, and thought the end had come. He could hear the struggle -between Hwei and Tung-yu going on furiously, and hear also very -faintly the deep laughter of his opponent. Then he lost -consciousness. Everything became dark, and Rupert's last thought -was that all his pains had been in vain. He would die, and -Olivia would be a widow. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV -The Fulfilled Prophecy - - -When Rupert came to his senses, the surroundings seemed to be -familiar. He had lost consciousness on the banks of the Thames, -and during a fierce struggle with a treacherous foe. He opened -his eyes to find himself in his own bed in his own room at -Royabay. But he felt strangely weak and indisposed to talk. -After a glance, he closed his eyes again. Then, after what -seemed to him to be a few minutes--it was really half an -hour--he opened them again, and this time he saw Olivia bending -over him with an anxious face. "Dearest," he murmured weakly. - -"Oh Rupert, do you know me?" - -"Yes. Where am I--what are you doing here?" - -"You are at the Abbey. Don't speak. Take this," and some beef -tea was held to his dry lips. - -Ainsleigh drank a little and then fell asleep again. When he did -so there was an artificial light in the room, but when he woke -the sun was streaming in through the window. But his wife was -still beside his bed, and still looked anxious. However, she -gave a little cry of joy when Rupert spoke in a stronger voice. -He was beginning to collect his scattered senses. "Have I been -ill long?" he asked. - -"Four days," she replied, "don't talk, darling." - -"But the packet?" - -"The Marquis has it safe." - -"Burgh?" - -"He has escaped. Don't talk." - -"Miss Pewsey," said Rupert faintly. - -"She is dead." - -"Then Miss Pewsey _did_ strangle your aunt." - -"Yes--yes--the doctor says you are not to talk." - -"Just one more question. Those Chinamen?" - -"Hwei and Tung-yu. They were drowned." - -Rupert smiled weakly, and turning on his side went off into a -deep sleep. The doctor who called later, said it was the best -thing he could do. "He has had a severe shock," said he to -Olivia, "and his nervous system is shaken. You may be thankful -he did not wake with a disordered brain." - -"Oh, doctor, you don't think--" - -"No! No! It's all right. He would not have asked those questions -if anything was wrong with his mind. In a few weeks he will be -quite himself. But I think, Mrs. Ainsleigh, that you should take -him abroad for a time." - -Olivia gladly promised to do this, the more so, as she wanted to -escape herself from Marport for a time. The news of Miss -Pewsey's death had caused a great sensation, and a still greater -one was caused by the publication in the paper of her crime. -Everyone, now knew that the bitter little woman had strangled -Miss Wharf, and everyone was very severe on her. The funeral had -to be conducted quietly, as the mob showed signs of intending to -interrupt. However, the police kept back the irate crowd, and -Miss Pewsey was buried in a quiet corner of St. Peter's -church-yard, where a few weeks before, she had hoped to be -married. But her intended bridegroom was in America, and Miss -Pewsey's mortal part was in the grave. Where her immortal soul -was and what would become of it, was talked over by people, who -were less forgiving than they ought to have been. - -Ainsleigh recovered his strength quicker then the doctor thought -he would. Olivia nursed him with devoted tenderness, and often -wept as she thought how nearly she had lost him. When Rupert was -better able to hear the recital, she gave him a short account of -his rescue. "Those three shots you fired brought up Rodgers and -his men, who were searching for Hwei and Tung-yu. They came, -just in time to pull Mr. Burgh off you. He was holding you down -under the water, and Mr. Rodgers thought you were dead. However -the doctor was called, and they brought you round. Then I was -telegraphed for, and I insisted that you should be taken back to -Royabay. I had my way, although the doctor in London said it -would be dangerous. So here you are, darling, in your own home, -and soon will be all right." - -"Thanks to your nursing," said Ainsleigh, kissing her, "but -Olivia, tell me about Miss Pewsey." - -"She made a confession before she died," said Mrs. Ainsleigh, -"oh Rupert, even though she is dead, I can't help saying, that -she was a wicked little woman." - -"Wicked indeed," said Rupert, recalling what Burgh had said, -"she wished you to marry Burgh, because he was married already." - -"In which case he would have deserted me," said Mrs. Ainsleigh -with a crimson face, "he was as bad as she. But listen, Rupert, -if you feel strong enough." - -"Go on," said Ainsleigh, and held his wife's hand while she -talked. - -"Well, then," began Mrs. Ainsleigh, "after the Marquis pushed -you out of the Penter's Alley room, he went and got a doctor, -who said that Miss Pewsey was dying. She heard him, having -regained her senses, and then began to cry, saying how wicked -she had been. For the sake of everyone, Lo-Keong asked her to -make a confession. As soon as she knew there was no hope of her -recovery, she agreed to do so. A clergyman was called in, and he -took down what she said. The confession was witnessed and -signed, and Mr. Rodgers has it." - -"What did she confess?" asked Rupert. - -"Oh," Olivia covered her face, "it was really awful. She said -that she was always jealous of Aunt Sophia, and of me. She -wished to get the five hundred a year. At first she thought she -would get it by marrying me to her nephew, and then she could -finger the money, when my aunt died. But she soon saw that I was -not to be guided in the way she desired, and cast about for a -new plan." - -"But, Olivia, if she knew Burgh was married----" - -"Oh, that didn't matter to her. She intended he should marry me -and then if I got the money she intended to say there was no -marriage, unless I gave her the five hundred a year. She wished -to disgrace me. - -"A kind of blackmail, in fact." - -"Yes. But I can't understand, how she intended to reckon with -Mr. Burgh, who is not an easy person to deal with. Well Rupert, -when she found that I would not marry Mr. Burgh, she tried to -get a new will made. She did not succeed for a long time. -Meanwhile, she heard about the fan and wrote to Lo-Keong. When -she saw the advertisement she was alarmed, thinking Aunt Sophia -would be killed before the new will was made. Luckily for her, -she overheard about our secret marriage and told Aunt Sophia, -who made a new will, and who intended, after the ball, to turn -me out of the house. - -"But your aunt was so kind to you at that time." - -"So as to make things harder for me," said Olivia sadly, "poor -Aunt Sophia, she was quite under the thumb of Miss Pewsey, who -really did hypnotise her--at least she confessed she had power -over her in the confession. But I don't think it was difficult -to get Aunt Sophia to alter her will, seeing she hated you so, -and could not bear to think that the five hundred a year, should -go to the son of the man, she thought, had scorned her." - -"That was not true: my father--" - -"Yes! Yes! I know. Don't talk too much, Rupert you are weak yet. -But let me go on," added Olivia, passing her hand over her -husband's forehead. "Well then, when the new will was made, Miss -Pewsey let Tung-yu know that Aunt Sophia would have the fan at -the ball. She didn't know whether Tung-yu or Hwei was to kill -the possessor of the fan, and when she learned that Aunt Sophia -was to sell the fan next day, she was very angry." - -"Why. With her influence she could have got the money." - -"Not all to herself, and besides she wanted the five hundred a -year, and Aunt Sophia out of the way. Moreover, that scarf I -knitted for you gave her a chance of throwing the blame on you. -She got Clarence to get it, and then lured Miss Wharf--my -aunt--to the steps where she strangled her." - -"Yes. Burgh told me. I know the rest. Her nephew made her give -up the fan, learned the secret, and stole the packet. Then he -made his aunt take it to Penter's Alley." - -Olivia nodded. "And Miss Pewsey thought she would get the money, -as Burgh said it was Tung-yu's hour." - -"So it was. He spoke truly enough, although he didn't risk -giving up the packet himself. Well." - -"But Tung-yu killed Miss Pewsey after all. She asked twenty -thousand pounds and refused to give it for less. Clarence Burgh -who had come up with her, came into the room with Hwei, who saw -the packet pass, but could not interfere." - -"Because it wasn't his hour." - -"Yes. And all would have been well, had not Tung-yu suddenly -disobeyed the god Kwang-ho's commands and stabbed Miss Pewsey. -Of course, Hwei was released from his oath by this act and tried -to get the packet. But Clarence Burgh snatched it from both and -ran away. Tung-yu went after him, and then Hwei followed, after -wiping the knife. Then--" - -"I know the rest. I got the packet from Burgh." - -"Yes, and he tried to drown you. Hwei and Tung-yu were -struggling together, as Tung-yu wanted to get the packet from -you. But Hwei stabbed him with the same knife he had used to -kill Miss Pewsey, and in his death grip, Tung-yu drew Hwei into -the water. Both were dead and still locked in each other's -embrace when they were drawn out. Lo-Keong said that Tung-yu -deserved his doom for having trifled with Kwang-ho, but he -mourns for Hwei." - -"It seems to be much of a muchness," said Rupert, "and Burgh?" - -"Rodgers threw himself on him, and he was secured. You were -taken away, and I was telegraphed for. But while Burgh was being -taken to prison he contrived to escape, and got away in the -darkness." - -"But Olivia, it was a bright, moonlight night." - -"At first it was, but the moon set and darkness came on. The -police have been searching for Burgh, but he has not been found, -and it is supposed he has got away from England." - -"I hope so," said Rupert with a shudder. "I never wish to set -eyes on him again. So that's the end of it all." - -"Not quite. Lo-Keong is in the library with Mr. Asher. Oh, -Rupert, you must prepare yourself for the best of news." - -The young man rose, and was led downstairs by his wife, "I am -quite ready to hear the good news," he said, as they descended. -"I have had far too much bad news in my life." - -As Olivia said, the lawyer was waiting in the library, and stood -before the fire with an expectant face. Lo-Keong, in even more -gorgeous robes than he had worn on the occasion of his first -visit, was seated in his stately manner near the window. He rose -as the master of Royabay entered, and came forward with a -serious smile. - -"My young friend," said the Mandarin. "I have to thank you for -saving my life. The papers which would have ruined me, and which -would have cost me my head, have been burnt. Hwei is dead, and -Tung-yu; so no one but yourself knows what those papers meant. -My august mistress will never have proof that I was engaged in -the Boxer rebellion, and Hop Sing will be degraded for ever." - -"And you, Marquis?" - -"I shall receive the yellow jacket," said the Mandarin, proudly, -"now I remain but a short time here, I go to London in an hour, -and this evening I leave for the Continent on my way to China. -We shall never meet again Mr. Ainsleigh, unless you come to -Pekin." - -"No," said Olivia, instinctively protecting Rupert, "we have had -enough of China, Marquis. Sit down, Rupert." - -Ainsleigh took a chair, and the Marquis smiled blandly. "Well, -well, well," he said, "it is natural you should feel rather -nervous of my countrymen, though I assure you, if you do visit -me, that you will be quite safe and highly honoured." - -"No, thank you Marquis," said Rupert wearily, for he was -beginning to feel fatigued. - -"I see you are tired," said Lo-Keong, in his stately manner, -"sol will merely say I hope to send you some presents from my -own country, and then Mr. Asher can speak," he bowed to the -solicitor. - -"I am glad to tell Mr. Ainsleigh," said the lawyer, "that the -Marquis has handed me securities which show that the sum of one -hundred thousand pounds is invested in your name. We can -transfer the securities to English investments if you like -but--" - -"I'll leave them in Chinese," said Rupert quickly. - -Lo-Keong bowed in a gratified manner. "You will be wise," he -said, "they are safe investments and all my interest at the -Imperial court, will go to make you richer, if I can." - -"You have done enough. Marquis," said Ainsleigh gratefully, "you -have given me back my old home." - -"And we will be rich besides," said Olivia delightedly. - -"There's another thing," said Mr. Asher, looking at the girl, -"Miss Pewsey made a will in your favour, Mrs. Ainsleigh." - -Olivia drew back with a red face. "Impossible! She hated me." - -"Well," said Asher dryly, "I expect she repented of her evil -deeds, or perhaps she hated her nephew more than she did you. -That gentleman wrote from a Continental address to Mr. Paster -asking if his aunt had left him the money as she promised. I -expect the address is a false one, as Mr. Burgh won't wish to be -caught." - -"He is a bold man that," said Lo-Keong. - -"He is," assented Asher, "but he won't benefit. Mrs. Ainsleigh -gets the five hundred a year, the freehold of Ivy Lodge, and also the -mortgage which Miss Wharf bought to ruin Mr. Ainsleigh." - -"We have everything--everything," cried Olivia. - -"I am very thankful," said Rupert. "Mr. Asher--" - -"I'll see you about the investments when you are stronger," said -the lawyer, "meanwhile here is the carriage at the door. The -Marquis is kind enough to give me a lift," and Mr. Asher took -his leave, with a profound bow, to so opulent a client as -Rupert. - -The Marquis Lo-Keong came forward with his kind smile. "Before I -wish you good-bye and all happiness," he said, holding out the -famous fan, "will you take this?" - -"No," said Olivia, preventing Rupert from accepting it, "I hate -the very sight of the thing. It has blood on it." - -"I think you are right, Mrs. Ainsleigh," said the Chinaman -gravely, "and, as it has done its duty, it may as well go the -way of the packet which now is ashes," and advancing to the -fire, he flung the fan on the burning coals. It burst into a -blaze, and in a few minutes all had vanished save the slivers of -jade and the beads. The housemaid collected these next morning -and gave them to Olivia, who threw them off the Marport pier. So -that was the end of the Mandarin's fan. - -"And now," said Lo-Keong, bowing, "good-bye, and great happiness -to you both." - -Rupert and Olivia shook hands warmly, and thanked him heartily. -The Mandarin walked out of the room in his stately way, and they -went to the window to see him drive off. At the bend of the -avenue, he waved his hand graciously, and that was the last the -master and mistress of Royabay saw of the man who had owned the -fan. - -A chuckle at the door made the couple turn from the window. -There, peering in, stood Mrs. Petley, who had stuck with her -husband to Rupert during his troubles. Her face was shining, and -old John seemed to be years younger. Mrs. Petley, for some queer -reason, threw a shoe at the pair. "Health and happiness," she -said, "begging your pardons both. But to think of money and -happiness, and no walking of that blessed monk, who--" - -"He never walked," said Rupert smiling, "it was Hwei--" - -"Begging your pardon, sir, Hwei--whosoever he is, didn't walk -_all_ the time. Abbot Raoul did appear, as I can testify, and so -can John here. But now the prophecy has been fulfilled, perhaps -he'll rest quiet in his grave, drat him." - -"The prophecy?" said Olivia, who was holding her husband's hand. - -From behind Mrs. Petley came the quavering voice of the ancient -butler, declaiming the rude rhymes:-- - - - "My curse from the tyrants will never depart, - For a sword in the hands of the angel flashes: - Till Ainsleigh poor, weds the poor maid of his heart, - And gold be brought forth from the holy ashes." - - -"And that's quite true," said a jovial voice, and Major Tidman, -as smart and stout as ever, entered. "How do, Ainsleigh, I'm -glad to see you looking so well. Yes," he added, sitting down, -"you _were_ poor Ainsleigh when you married--" - -"And I was poor also," cried Olivia. - -"Very good, the third line is fulfilled and the fourth--" - -"Was gold brought forth from the holy ashes?" asked Rupert. - -"Yes, Master Rupert," said old John, "you picked up the fan in -the place where the ashes were, and out of the fan has come -gold. The prophecy is fulfilled, sure enough, and I hope Abbot -Raoul will stop walking for ever." - -"Of course he will," cried Mrs. Petley, dragging her husband -outside, "there's no more trouble for you, Master Rupert and -Miss Olivia." - -"Mr. and Mrs. Ainsleigh, of Royabay," said Tidman, laughing, -"give them their proper titles, Mrs. Petley. And I think the -present occasion deserves a bottle of port." - -The ancient butler went away with his wife, to bring forth one -of the last bottles of that priceless vintage. Major Tidman, -gloating in anticipation, sat still, and smiled with a bland -face. But Rupert drew Olivia to the sofa, and they sat down -where they had often mourned on many a weary day. "Dearest," -said Ainsleigh, kissing her. - -"We can be happy now," said Olivia putting her arms round his -neck, "for we are rich. We shall take again our proper place in -the county." - -"We are rich and we are happy," echoed the master of Royabay. - -"Ha! ha! You have one hundred thousand pounds, Ainsleigh," said -Tidman. - -"I have something better." - -"What's that?" - -"My own dear wife, Olivia Ainsleigh." - - - - -The End - - -__________________________________________________________ -_The Anchor Press, Ltd., Tiptree Heath, Kelvedon, Essex_. - - - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mandarin's Fan, by Fergus Hume - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MANDARIN'S FAN *** - -***** This file should be named 55606-8.txt or 55606-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/6/0/55606/ - -Produced by Charles Bowen from page scans provided by the -Internet Archive (University of California Libraries) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - diff --git a/old/55606-8.zip b/old/55606-8.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index abeac65..0000000 --- a/old/55606-8.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/55606-h.zip b/old/55606-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 98fce96..0000000 --- a/old/55606-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/55606-h/55606-h.htm b/old/55606-h/55606-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index aee1594..0000000 --- a/old/55606-h/55606-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10744 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> -<html> -<head> -<title>The Mandarin's Fan</title> - -<meta name="Author" content="Fergus Hume"> - -<meta name="Publisher" content="Digby, Long & Co."> -<meta name="Date" content="1905"> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"> -<style type="text/css"> -body {margin-left:10%; - margin-right:10%; background-color:#FFFFFF; - text-align: justify} - - -p.normal {text-indent:.25in; text-align: justify;} - -p.right {text-align:right; margin-right:20%;} -p.center {text-align: center;} -p.continue {text-indent: 0in; margin-top:9pt;} - -h1,h2,h3,h4,h5 {text-align: center;} - - -.t0 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:0em; margin-right:0em;} -.t1 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:1em; margin-right:0em;} -.t2 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:2em; margin-right:0em;} -.t3 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:3em; margin-right:0em;} -.t4 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:4em; margin-right:0em;} -.t5 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:5em; margin-right:0em;} - - -span.sc {font-variant: small-caps; font-size:110%;} -span.sc2 {font-variant: small-caps; font-size:90%;} - -hr.W10 {width:10%; color:black; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt} - -hr.W20 {width:20%; color:black; margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:12pt} - -hr.W50 {width:50%; color:black;} -hr.W90 {width:90%; color:black;} - -p.hang1 {margin-left:3em; text-indent:-3em;} -p.hang2 {margin-left:3em; text-indent:0em;} - -</style> - -</head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mandarin's Fan, by Fergus Hume - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Mandarin's Fan - -Author: Fergus Hume - -Release Date: September 22, 2017 [EBook #55606] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MANDARIN'S FAN *** - - - - -Produced by Charles Bowen from page scans provided by the -Internet Archive (University of California Libraries) - - - - - - -</pre> - - - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<p class="hang1">Transcriber's Notes: -1. Page scan source:<br> -The Internet Archive<br> -https://archive.org/details/mandarinsfan00hume</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<p class="center"><img src="images/frontcover.png" alt="front cover"></p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>POPULAR NOVELS BY FERGUS HUME</h3> - -<p class="center"><b>Author of "The Mystery of a Hansom Cab," etc</b></p> -<hr class="W50"> - -<p class="center"><b>In Crown 8vo. pictorial cloth. Price 6s. each.</b></p> - -<h4>THE RED WINDOW</h4> -<h5>Second Impression</h5> - -<p>"For a skilfully conceived plot, succession of stirring -incidents and series of surprises, not one of Mr. Fergus Hume's -books is surpassed by 'The Red Window.' ... Is the best book of -the kind issued this season."--<i>Newcastle Daily Journal</i>.</p> - -<br> -<h4>THE YELLOW HOLLY</h4> -<h5>Third Edition</h5> - -<p>"A story of thrilling interest."--<i>To-Day</i>.</p> - -<p>"An exciting detective story."--<i>Academy</i>.</p> -<br> - -<h4>A COIN OF EDWARD VII.</h4> -<h5>Third Edition</h5> - -<p>"A clever detective story. The book holds one spellbound to the -end."--<i>Yorkshire Herald</i>.</p> -<br> - -<h4>THE CRIME OF THE CRYSTAL</h4> -<h5>Third Edition</h5> - -<p>"Mr. Fergus Hume once more shows his skill in weaving an -intricate plot which holds the reader enthralled until the -last line. If this book were judged upon its merits it should -obtain a popularity even greater than 'The Mystery of a Hansom -Cab.'"--<i>Court Circular</i>.</p> -<br> - -<h4>THE PAGAN'S CUP</h4> -<h5>Third Edition</h5> - -<p>"For the lover of mystery the author of the 'Mystery of a Hansom -Cab' has prepared a feast in his new book. The story is beyond -doubt enthralling, and will in every case be read at a -sitting."--<i>Glasgow Herald</i>.</p> -<br> - -<h4>THE RED-HEADED MAN</h4> -<h5>Third Edition</h5> - -<p>"Is perhaps the best piece of work that Mr. Fergus Hume has -given us since he wrote 'The Mystery of a Hansom Cab.' The plot -is very ingenious. Devoid of suspicion of padding, brightly and -smoothly written, Mr. Fergus Hume's latest tale contains not a -single dull chapter."--<i>World</i>.</p> - -<p>"A highly ingenious and well-constructed tale."--<i>Scotsman</i>.</p> -<br> - -<h4>SHYLOCK OF THE RIVER</h4> -<h5>Fifth Edition</h5> - -<p>"Quite the most brilliant detective story Mr. Hume has given us -since he made such a remarkable hit in 'The Mystery of a Hansom -Cab.'"--<i>Literary World</i>.</p> -<br> - -<h4>THE MASQUERADE MYSTERY</h4> -<h5>Third Edition</h5> - -<p>"Is as good as, if not better than, 'The Mystery of a Hansom -Cab.' ... It is an excellent story."--<i>World</i>.</p> -<br> -<hr class="W90"> -<h5>In Crown 8vo, Cloth, 2s. 6d. Cheap Edition</h5> -<br> -<h4>A MARRIAGE MYSTERY</h4> - -<p>"Is ingeniously put together.... Mr. Hume's new book is good of -its kind."--<i>Athenĉum</i>.</p> - -<p>"The plot is very clever and well worked out."--<i>Vanity Fair</i>.</p> - -<hr class="W90"> -<h5>London: DIGBY, LONG & Co., 18 Bouverie Street, Fleet St., E.C.</h5> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<p class="center"><img src="images/frontispiece.png" alt="frontispiece"><br> -"Well, sail in. We're ready for the play."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>THE</h4> -<h3>MANDARIN'S FAN</h3> -<br> -<br> -<h5>BY</h5> -<h4>FERGUS HUME</h4> - -<h5>AUTHOR OF<br> -"THE MYSTERY OF A HAMSOM CAB," ETC.</h5> -<br> -<br> -<h5><i>SECOND EDITION</i></h5> -<br> -<br> -<h3><span style="font-size:smaller">LONDON</span><br> -DIGBY, LONG & CO.<br> -<span style="font-size:smaller">18 BOUVERIE STREET, FLEET STREET, E.C.<br> -1905</span></h3> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<table cellpadding="10" style="width:90%; margin-left:5%; font-weight:bold"> -<colgroup><col style="width:20%; vertical-align:top; text-align:right"><col style="width:80%; vertical-align:top; text-align:left"></colgroup> -<tr> -<td colspan="2"><h3>CONTENTS</h3></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>CHAPTER.</td> -<td> </td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_01" href="#div1_01">I.</a></td> -<td>THE ADVERTISEMENT<td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_02" href="#div1_02">II.</a></td> -<td>DR. FORGE<td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_03" href="#div1_03">III.</a></td> -<td>MISS WHARF AT HOME<td>. -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_04" href="#div1_04">IV.</a></td> -<td>RUPERT'S SECRET<td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_05" href="#div1_05">V.</a></td> -<td>CONCERNING THE FAN<td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_06" href="#div1_06">VI.</a></td> -<td>BURGH'S STORY<td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_07" href="#div1_07">VII.</a></td> -<td>THE WARNING<td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_08" href="#div1_08">VIII.</a></td> -<td>THE BEGINNING OF THE BALL<td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_09" href="#div1_09">IX.</a></td> -<td>THE END OF THE BALL<td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_10" href="#div1_10">X.</a></td> -<td>A MYSTERIOUS CASE<td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_11" href="#div1_11">XI.</a></td> -<td>THE CANTON ADVENTURE<td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_12" href="#div1_12">XII.</a></td> -<td>AT THE INQUEST<td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_13" href="#div1_13">XIII.</a></td> -<td>THE WILL<td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_14" href="#div1_14">XIV.</a></td> -<td>A MYSTERIOUS LETTER<td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_15" href="#div1_15">XV.</a></td> -<td>THE ROTHERHITHE DEN<td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_16" href="#div1_16">XVI.</a></td> -<td>THE FAN MYSTERY<td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_17" href="#div1_17">XVII.</a></td> -<td>A DISAPPEARANCE<td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_18" href="#div1_18">XVIII.</a></td> -<td>A SURPRISE<td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_19" href="#div1_19">XIX.</a></td> -<td>A VISITOR<td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_20" href="#div1_20">XX.</a></td> -<td>THE MANDARIN EXPLAINS<td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_21" href="#div1_21">XXI.</a></td> -<td>WHO IS GUILTY?<td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_22" href="#div1_22">XXII.</a></td> -<td>AFTER EVENTS<td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_23" href="#div1_23">XXIII.</a></td> -<td>THE CHASE<td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_24" href="#div1_24">XXIV.</a></td> -<td>THE FULFILLED PROPHECY</td> -</tr></table> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>THE MANDARIN'S FAN</h3> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>THE MANDARIN'S FAN</h3> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_01" href="#div1Ref_01">CHAPTER I</a></h4> -<h5>The Advertisement</h5> -<br> - -<p>One July evening in the first year of the present century, two -gentlemen were seated on the terrace of the mansion, known as -Royabay. A small rose-wood table was placed between the deep -arm-chairs, and thereon appeared wine, coffee, and a box of -cigars. The young host smoked a briar and sipped coffee, but his -guest, very wisely, devoted himself to superlative port and a -fragrant cigar. Major Tidman was a battered old soldier of -fortune, who appreciated good quarters and made the most of -civilised luxuries, when other people paid for them. He had done -full justice to a dinner admirably cooked and served, while -Ainsleigh, the master of the feast had merely trifled with his -food. Now, the wary Tidman gave himself up to the perfect -enjoyment of wine, cigar and the quiet evening, while his host -restlessly changed his position a dozen times in ten minutes and -gloomed misanthropically at the beautiful surroundings.</p> - -<p>And these were very beautiful. From the moss-grown terrace -shallow steps descended to smooth lawns and rainbow-hued -flower-beds, and solemn pines girdled the open space, wherein -the house was set. And under the radiance of a saffron coloured -sky, stood the house, grey with centuries of wind and weather, -bleaching sun and drenching rains. With its Tudor battlements, -casements, diamond-paned and low oriel windows, half obliterated -escutcheons; its drapery of green ivy, and heavy iron-clamped -doors, it looked venerable, picturesque and peaceful. Tennyson -sang in the Palace of Art of just such a quiet "English home the -haunt of ancient peace."</p> - -<p>On the left, the circle of trees receded to reveal the majestic -ruins of an abbey, which had supplied the stones used to -construct the mansion. Built by the weak but pious Henry III., -the Norman-French name Boyabbaye (King's Abbey) still designated -the house of the courtier who had obtained the monastery from -another Henry, less pious, and more prone to destroy than to -build. The country folk had corrupted the name to Royabay, and -its significance was almost lost. But the owner of this fair -domain knew its meaning, and loved the ancient place, which had -been in the Ainsleigh family for over three hundred years. And -he loved it the more, as there was a possibility of its passing -away from him altogether.</p> - -<p>Rupert was the last of the old line, poor in relations, and -poorer still in money. Till the reign of George the first the -Ainsleighs had been rich and famous: but from the time of the -Hanovarian advent their fortunes declined. Charles Ainsleigh had -thrown in his lot with the unlucky Stewarts, and paid for his -loyalty so largely as to cripple those who succeeded him. -Augustus, the Regency buck, wasted still further the diminished -property he inherited, and a Victorian Ainsleigh proved to be -just such another spendthrift. Followed this wastrel, Gilbert -more thrifty, who strove, but vainly, to restore the waning -fortunes of his race. His son Markham, endeavouring to acquire -wealth for the same purpose, went to the far East. But he died -in China,--murdered according to family tradition,--and on -hearing the news, his widow sickened and died, leaving an only -child to battle with the ancestral curse. For a curse there was, -as dire as that which over-shadowed the House of Atreus, and the -superstitious believed,--and with much reason,--that young -Rupert as one of the Ainsleighs, had to bear the burden of the -terrible anathema.</p> - -<p>Major Tidman knew all these things very well, but being modern -and sceptical and grossly material, he discredited such occult -influence. Expressing his scornful surprise, that Rupert should -trouble his head about such fantasies, he delivered his opinion -in the loud free dictatorial speech, which was characteristic of -the bluff soldier. "Bunkum," said the Major sipping his wine -with relish, "because an old monk driven to his last fortifications, -curses those who burnt him, you believe that his jabber has an -effect on the Ainsleighs."</p> - -<p>"They have been very unlucky since," said Rupert gloomily.</p> - -<p>"Not a bit of it--not a bit. The curse of Abbot Raoul, didn't -begin to work,--if work it did, which I for one don't believe,--until -many a long day after this place came to your family. I was born in -this neighbourhood sixty and more years ago," added the Major, "and I -know the history of your family. The Ainsleighs were lucky enough till -Anne's reign."</p> - -<p>"Till the first George's reign," corrected the young man, "so -far as money goes, that is. But not one of them died in his -bed."</p> - -<p>"Plenty have died in their beds since."</p> - -<p>"But have lost all their money," retorted Rupert.</p> - -<p>"It's better to lose money than life," said Tidman evasively.</p> - -<p>"I'm not so certain of that Major. But you should talk with Mrs. -Pettley about Abbot Raoul's curse. She believes in it."</p> - -<p>"And you Ainsleigh?"</p> - -<p>Rupert shrugged his shoulders. "We certainly seem to be most -unlucky," said he, declining to commit himself to an opinion.</p> - -<p>"Want of brains," snapped the Major, who was one of those men -who have a reason for everything, "your people wasted their -money, and refused to soil their hands with trade. Such -pig-headedness brings about misfortune, without the aid of a -silly old fool's curse."</p> - -<p>"I don't think Abbot Raoul was a fool," protested the host -mildly, "on the contrary, he is said to have been a learned and -clever man. Aymas Ainsleigh, received the abbey from Henry -VIII., and burnt Abbot Raoul in his own cloisters," he nodded -towards the ruins, "you can see the blackened square of grass -yonder, as a proof of the curse. Herbage will not grow there, -and never will, till the curse be lifted."</p> - -<p>"Huh," said the Major with supreme contempt, "any chance of -that?"</p> - -<p>Rupert smiled. "A chance that will never occur I fear. The -curse, or prophecy, or whatever you like to call it----"</p> - -<p>"I call it rubbish," interpolated the sceptic.</p> - -<p>"Well doubting Thomas, it runs like this,--rude enough verse as -you will see, but you can't expect a doomed man to be particular -as to literary style," and Rupert recited slowly:--</p> - -<div style="font-size:smaller"> -<p class="t1">"My curse from the tyrants will never depart,<br> -For a sword in the hands of the angel flashes:<br> -Till Ainsleigh, poor, weds the poor maid of his heart,<br> -And gold be brought forth from the holy ashes."</p> -</div> - -<p>"I spare you the ancient pronunciation Major." Tidman filled -another glass with wine, and laughed scornfully. "I expect the -old monk made up the second line to rhyme with ashes," he said -expanding his broad chest. "I've heard that rubbishy poetry -before. But haven't the Ainsleighs always married poor girls?"</p> - -<p>"Some did, but then they had money. It must be a poor Ainsleigh -to wed a poor girl to fulfil the third line. My father and -grandfather were both poor, but they married rich brides."</p> - -<p>"And what became of the cash?"</p> - -<p>"It went--I don't know how--but it went."</p> - -<p>"Gold turns to dry leaves in the hands of fools," said Tidman -sagely, "there's some sense in the old fairy tales. But the -fourth line? how can you get gold from ashes?"</p> - -<p>Young Ainsleigh rose and began to pace the terrace. "I'm sure I -don't know," he said, "that's the curse. If I marry Miss Rayner, -I certainly fulfil the third line. She is poor and I am a -pauper. Perhaps when the enigma of the third line is solved by -such a marriage the fourth line will be made clear."</p> - -<p>"I shouldn't hang on to that poetry if I were you, Ainsleigh. -Let some one else solve the third line, and the fourth also if -he likes. My advice to you is to marry a dollar heiress."</p> - -<p>Rupert looked savage. "I love Miss Rayner, and I marry her, or -no one."</p> - -<p>Tidman selected another cigar carefully. "I think you are -wrong," said he decisively, "you have only a small income it's -true, but you have this grand old place, a fine old name, and -you ain't bad-looking. I guess Miss Jonathan of N'Yr'k would -just jump at you."</p> - -<p>"I love Olivia Rayner," repeated Ainsleigh doggedly.</p> - -<p>"But the obstacles my dear Don Quixote," argued the Major -lighting the cigar, "you are poor and she, at the most, will -inherit only a few hundreds a year from that aunt of hers. And -that mass of granite Miss Wharf, don't like you, nor does her -companion, the Pewsey cat."</p> - -<p>"Why do you call her a cat--the harmless creature."</p> - -<p>"Because she is a cat," said Tidman sturdily, "she'd scratch if -she got a chance for all her velvet paws. But she hates you as -old Miss Wharf does. Then there's Lady Jabe--"</p> - -<p>"Oh heavens," said Rupert and made a wry face.</p> - -<p>"You may well say that. She's a bullying Amazon of uncertain -age. But she'll do her best to catch Olivia for her nephew Chris -Walker."</p> - -<p>"Oh he's a nice enough fellow," said Rupert still pacing the -terrace. "I've got nothing to say against him, except that he'd -better keep out of my way. And after all Olivia would never -marry a clerk in a tea merchant's firm."</p> - -<p>"But he's nephew to Lady Jabe."</p> - -<p>"What of that. She's only the widow of a knight and hasn't a -penny to leave him. Why should she want him to marry Olivia?"</p> - -<p>"Because Miss Wharf will leave Olivia five hundred a year. Lady -Jabe will then live on the young couple. And see here Ainsleigh, -if you marry Olivia with that income, you won't be taking to -wife the poor girl mentioned in the curse."</p> - -<p>"Oh hang the curse," said Rupert crossly.</p> - -<p>"By all means," said Tidman serenely, "you didn't bring me here -to talk of that did you?"</p> - -<p>"No. I want to ask your advice?"</p> - -<p>"I've given it--unasked. Marry a dollar-heiress, and let old -Jabe make Olivia her niece-in-law. By doing so you will be -released from your pecuniary difficulties, and will also escape -the hatred of Miss Wharf and that Pewsey cat, who both hate -you."</p> - -<p>"I wonder why they do?"</p> - -<p>"Hum," said Tidman discreetly. He knew pretty well why Miss -Wharf hated his host, but he was too wise to speak, "something -to do with a love affair."</p> - -<p>"What's that got to do with me?"</p> - -<p>"Ask me another," replied Major Tidman vulgarly, for he was not -going to tell a fiery young man like Rupert, that Markham -Ainsleigh, Rupert's father, was mixed up in the romance, "and I -wish you would sit down," he went on irritably "you're walking -like a cat on hot bricks. What's the matter with you?"</p> - -<p>"What's the matter," echoed Ainsleigh returning to the -arm-chair.</p> - -<p>"I asked you here to tell you."</p> - -<p>"Wait till I have another glass. Now fire ahead." But Rupert did -not accept the invitation immediately. He looked at the lovely -scene spread out before him, and up to the sky which was now of -a pale primrose colour. There was a poetic vein in young -Ainsleigh, but troubles from his earliest childhood had -stultified it considerably. Ever since he left college had he -battled to keep the old place, but now, it seemed as if all his -trouble had been in vain. He explained his circumstances to the -Major, and that astute warrior listened to a long tale of -mortgages threatened to be foreclosed, of the sale of old and -valuable furniture, and of the disposal of family jewels. "But -this last mortgage will finish me," said Rupert in conclusion. -"I can't raise the money to pay it off. Miss Wharf will -foreclose, and then all the creditors will come down on me. The -deluge will come in spite of all I can do."</p> - -<p>Major Tidman stared. "Do you mean to say that Miss Wharf"--</p> - -<p>"She holds the mortgage."</p> - -<p>"And she hates you," said Tidman, his eyes bulging, "huh! This -is a nice kettle of fish."</p> - -<p>Rupert threw himself back in the deep chair with an angry look. -He was a tall finely built young man of twenty-five, of Saxon -fairness, with clear blue eyes and a skin tanned by an out-door -life. In spite of his poverty and perhaps because of it, he was -accurately dressed by a crack London tailor, and looked -singularly handsome in his well-fitting evening suit. Pulling -his well-trimmed fair moustache, he eyed the tips of his neat, -patent leather shoes gloomily, and waited to hear what the Major -had to say.</p> - -<p>That warrior ruminated, and puffed himself out like the frog in -the fable. Tidman was thickset and stout, bald-headed and -plethoric. He had a long grey moustache which he tugged at -viciously, and on the whole looked a comfortable old gentleman, -peaceful enough when let alone. But his face was that of a -fighter and his grey eyes were hot and angry. All over the world -had the Major fought, and his rank had been gained in South -America. With enough to live on, he had returned to the cot -where he was born, and was passing his declining days very, -pleasantly. Having known Rupert for many years and Rupert's -father before him, he usually gave his advice when it was asked -for, and knew more about the young man's affairs than anyone -else did. But the extent of the ruin, as revealed by the late -explanation, amazed him. "What's to be done?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"That's what I wish you to suggest," said Rupert grimly, "things -are coming to a climax, and perhaps when the last Ainsleigh is -driven from home, Abbot Raoul will rest quiet in his grave. His -ghost walks you know. Ask Mrs. Pettley. She's seen it, or him."</p> - -<p>"Stuff-stuff-stuff," grumbled the Major staring, "let the ghost -and the curse and all that rubbish alone. What's to be done?"</p> - -<p>"Well," said the young man meditatively, "either I must sell up, -and clear out to seek my fortune, leaving Olivia to marry young -Walker, or--"</p> - -<p>"Or what?" asked Tidman seeing Rupert hesitating.</p> - -<p>For answer Ainsleigh took a pocket-book from the lower ledge of -the table and produced therefrom a slip of printed paper.</p> - -<p>"I cut that out of 'The Daily Telegraph,'" said he handing it to -the Major, "what do you make of it?"</p> - -<p>Tidman mounted a gold pince-nez and read aloud, as follows:--</p> - -<p>"The jade fan of Mandarin Lo-Keong, with the four and half beads -and the yellow cord. Wealth and long life to the holder, who -gives it to Hwei, but death and the doom of the god Kwang-ho to -that one who refuses. Address Kan-su at the Joss-house of the -Five Thousand Blessings, 43 Perry Street, Whitechapel."</p> - -<p>"A mixture of the Far East and the Near West, isn't it?" asked -Rupert, when the Major laid down the slip and stared.</p> - -<p>"Lo-Keong," said Tidman searching his memory, "wasn't that the -man your father knew?"</p> - -<p>"The same. That is why I cut out the slip, and why I asked you -to see me. You remember my father's expedition to China?"</p> - -<p>"Of course. He went there twenty years ago when you were five -years of age. I was home at the time--it was just before I went -to fight in that Janjalla Republic war in South America. I -wanted your father to come with me and see if he couldn't make -money: but he was bent on China."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Rupert, "I understood he knew of a gold-mine -there."</p> - -<p>"Yes, on the Hwei River," Major Tidman snatched the slip of print and -read the lines again, "and here's the name, Hwei--that's strange."</p> - -<p>"But what's stranger still," said Rupert, bending forward "is, -that I looked up some papers of my father and learn that the -Hwei River is in the Kan-su province."</p> - -<p>"Address Kan-su," murmured Tidman staring harder than ever. -"Yes. It seems as though this had something to do with your -father."</p> - -<p>"It <i>must</i> have something to do with him," insisted Rupert, "my -father found that gold-mine near the Hwei River in the Kan-su -province, and Lo-Keong was the Boxer leader who protected my -father from the enmity of the Chinese. I believe he sent my -father's papers to England--at least so Dr. Forge says."</p> - -<p>"Forge," cried Tidman rising, "quite so. He was with your -father. Why not see him, and ask questions."</p> - -<p>"I'll do so. Perhaps he may tell me something about this fan."</p> - -<p>"What if he does?"</p> - -<p>"I might find it."</p> - -<p>"And if you do?" asked the Major, his eyes protruding.</p> - -<p>Rupert sprang to his feet and took up the slip. "Wealth and long -life to the holder who gives it to Hwei," he read: then replaced -the slip in his pocket-book, "why shouldn't I find that fan and -get enough money to pay off Miss Wharf and others and keep -Royabay."</p> - -<p>"But it's such a mad idea?"</p> - -<p>"I don't see it. If it hadn't to do with my father it would be," -said Ainsleigh lighting his pipe, "but my father knew Lo-Keong, -and by the names Hwei and Kan-su, it seems as though the -locality of the gold-mine had something to do with the matter. -I'll see old Forge and try to find this fan."</p> - -<p>"Oh," said Tidman, a light breaking on him, "you think Lo-Keong -may have given the fan to your father?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and Forge may know what luggage and papers were sent home, -at the time my father died--"</p> - -<p>"Was murdered you mean."</p> - -<p>"We can't be sure of that," said Rupert his face flushing, "but -I'll find that out, and get hold of the fan also. It's my chance -to make money, and I believe Providence has opened this way to -me."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_02" href="#div1Ref_02">CHAPTER II</a></h4> -<h5>Dr. Forge</h5> -<br> - -<p>Royabay was distant five miles from Marport, a rising watering -place on the Essex coast. In fact so large was the town, and so -many the visitors, that it might be said to be quite risen, -though the inhabitants insisted that it had not yet attained the -height it yet would reach. But be this as it may, Marport was -popular and fashionable, and many retired gentlepeople lived in -spacious houses along the cliffs and in the suburbs. The ancient -town, which lay in a hollow, was left to holiday trippers, and -these came in shoals during the summer months. There was the -usual pier, the Kursaal, the theatre, many bathing machines and -many boarding houses--in fact the usual sort of things which go -to make up a popular watering-place. And the town had been in -existence--the new part at all events--for only fifteen years. -Like Jonah's gourd it had sprung up in a night: but it certainly -showed no signs of withering. In fact its attractions increased -yearly.</p> - -<p>Major Tidman was a wise man, and had not travelled over the -world with his eyes shut. He had seen colonial towns spring up -and fade away, and knew how the value of land increases. Thus, -when he returned to his own country with a certain sum of money, -he expended the same in buying land, and in building thereon. -This policy produced a lot of money, with which the Major bought -more land and more houses. Now, he possessed an avenue of -desirable villa residences in the suburbs which brought him in a -good income, and which, by reason of their situation, were never -empty. The Major did not live here himself. He was a bachelor -and fond of company: therefore he took up his quarters in the -Bristol Hotel, the most fashionable in Marport. As he had shares -in the company which built it, he managed to obtain his rooms at -a comparatively moderate rate. Here he lived all the year round, -save when he took a trip to the Continent, and, as the Bristol -was always full of people, the Major did not lack company. As he -was a good-humoured little man, with plenty of small talk and a -fund of out-of-the-way information, he soon became immensely -popular. In this way the crafty Major had all the comforts of -home and the delights of society without bearing the burden -of an establishment of his own. His sole attendant was a -weather-beaten one-eyed man, who acted as his valet, and who -knew how to hold his tongue.</p> - -<p>Sometimes the Major would walk up town and inspect his property -with great pride. It was balm to his proud heart to walk up and -down the spacious avenue, and survey the red brick villas -smiling amidst trim gardens. Tidman's birth was humble,--his -father had been a small tenant farmer of the Ainsleighs,--and he -had started life without even the proverbial shilling. For many -years he was absent from his native land, and returned to find -fortune waiting for him on the door step. To be sure he brought -a nest-egg home with him. Nevertheless, but for his astuteness -in buying land and in building he would not have acquired -such a good income. So the Major had some cause for self -congratulation, when he paced up and down Tidman's Avenue.</p> - -<p>Two days after his dinner with Rupert Ainsleigh, the Major spick -and span as usual,--he always looked as though he had stepped -out of a bandbox,--was strutting up the Avenue. Half way along -he came face to face with a withered little woman, who looked -like the bad fairy of the old nursery tales. She wore a poke -bonnet, a black dress and, strange to say, a scarlet shawl. Her -age might have been about fifty-five, but she looked even older. -With her dress picked up, and holding a flower in her hand, she -came mincing along smiling at the world with a puckered face and -out of a pair of very black and brilliant eyes. She looked a -quaint old-fashioned gentlewoman of the sort likely to possess a -good income, for it seemed that no pauper would have dared to -dress in so shabby and old-fashioned a manner. Consequently it -was strange that the gallant Major should have showed a -disposition to turn tail when he set eyes on her. She might -indeed have been the veritable witch she looked, so pale turned -Major Tidman's ruddy face. But the old dame was not going to let -him escape in this way.</p> - -<p>"Oh good morning," she said in a sharp voice like a saw, "how -well you are looking dear Major Tidman--really so very well. I -never saw you look younger. The rose in your button-hole is not -more blooming. How do you keep your youth so? I remember you"--</p> - -<p>But the Major cut her short. He had enough of flattering words -which he guessed she did not mean, and didn't want her to -remember anything, for he knew her memory extended disagreeably -to the time when he had been a poor and humble nobody. "I'm in a -hurry Miss Pewsey," he said twirling his stick, "good-morning -ma'am--morning."</p> - -<p>"If you're going to see Dr. Forge," said Miss Pewsey, her black -eyes glittering like jet. "I've just come from his house. He is -engaged."</p> - -<p>"I can wait I suppose, Miss Pewsey," said Tidman bristling, -"that is, supposing I am calling on the doctor."</p> - -<p>"Then you really are: not on account of your health I'm sure. I -do hope you aren't ill, dear Major. We all look forward to you -shining at the ball, which is to take place at the Hotel -Bristol."</p> - -<p>"I may be there, Miss Pewsey. I may be there,--in fact," the -Major flourished his stick again, "I am one of the stewards."</p> - -<p>Miss Pewsey clapped together a pair of small claws encased in -shabby cotton gloves. "There," she cried in a shriller voice -than ever, "I knew it. I said so to my Sophia. Of course you -know I always call dear Miss Wharf my Sophia; we have been -friends for years--oh yes, for years. We grew on one stem and--"</p> - -<p>"You'll excuse me, ma'am--"</p> - -<p>"Oh yes--I know you are so busy. But I was saying, that you can -give me a ticket for my nephew, Mr. Burgh--"</p> - -<p>"The tickets are for sale at the hotel," said Tidman gruffly.</p> - -<p>"Yes, but my poor nephew is poor. He also has come from foreign -parts Major as you did, and just as poor. You must give him a -ticket--oh really you must." Miss Pewsey spoke with an emphasis -on every other word, and between her teeth as though she was -trying to prevent the speech escaping too rapidly. "Now, Major," -she coaxed.</p> - -<p>"I'll see, ma'am--I'll see."</p> - -<p>"Oh. I knew you would." She clasped her hands again, "come -and see my Sophia--dear Miss Wharf, and then you can give -Clarence--that's my nephew's name, sweet isn't it?--you can give -him the ticket. But don't bring <i>him</i>," added Miss Pewsey -jerking her old head backward in the direction of Dr. Forge's -residence, "he's there."</p> - -<p>"Who is there, ma'am?" demanded the Major with a start.</p> - -<p>"Why that horrid Mr. Ainsleigh and--"</p> - -<p>Miss Pewsey got no further. The Major uttered something naughty -under his breath, and taking off his hat with a flourish, bowed -his way along the road, pursued by the shrill injunctions of the -lady not to forget the ticket.</p> - -<p>Tidman walked more rapidly and less jauntily than usual, and -stopped at Dr. Forge's gate to wipe his red face, which had now -assumed its normal colour.</p> - -<p>"By George," said the old soldier, "that woman will marry me, if -I don't take care. She ain't safe--she shouldn't be allowed out. -Pewsey--a cat--a cat--I always said so. Lavinia Pewsey cat, to -Benjamin Tidman gentleman. Not if I know it--ugh--ugh," and he -walked up the steps to ring the bell. While waiting, his -thoughts went from Miss Pewsey to Rupert. "I thought he had gone -to town about that fan business," said the Major fretting, -"what's he doing calling on Forge without telling me," and -Tidman seemed very much annoyed that Rupert should have taken -such a liberty.</p> - -<p>True enough, he found young Ainsleigh sitting with Dr. Forge. -The doctor was a tall lean man with sad eyes, and a stiff -manner. He was dressed in a loose white flannel suit, in a most -unprofessional way. But everyone knew that Forge had money and -did not practise, save when the fancy took him. With his -watchful grey eyes and sad face and lantern jaws, Forge was not -a prepossessing object or a medical attendant to be desired. -Also his hands had a claw-like look, which, added to his thin -hooked nose, made him look like a hawk. He spoke very little -though, and what he did say was to the point: but he was not -popular like the Major. A greater contrast than this mummy and -handsome young Ainsleigh, can scarcely be imagined.</p> - -<p>The Major came puffing into the room and looked around. It was a -small apartment furnished with Chinese curiosities. Rice-paper -painted in the conventional Chinese fashion adorned the walls: a -many-tasseled lantern gay with colour, dangled from the roof, -and in each corner of the room a fat mandarin squatted on a -pedestal. The furniture was of bamboo, and straw matting covered -the floor. A bookcase filled with medical volumes looked -somewhat out of place in this eastern room, as did the doctor's -writing table, a large one covered with papers and books, and -strange looking Chinese scrips. The room was as queer as its -owner, and the atmosphere had that indescribable eastern smell, -which the Major remembered to have sniffed up at Canton under -disagreeable circumstances. Perhaps it was the revival of an -unpleasant memory that made him sit down so suddenly, or it -might have been the cold grey stony eyes of Forge.</p> - -<p>"Well Major," said Rupert who looked handsome and gay in -flannels, and who seemed to have lost his melancholy looks, "who -would have thought of seeing you here?"</p> - -<p>"I came to ask Forge to keep the exterior of his house a little -more tidy," said the Major with dignity, "the steps have not -been cleaned this morning, and there is straw in the garden, -while the shrubs and flowers are dying for want of water."</p> - -<p>Forge shrugged his thin shoulders, and nodded towards some -egg-shell china cups and a quaint looking tea-pot. But he did -not speak.</p> - -<p>"No," replied the Major to the silent invitation. "I never drink -tea in the afternoon--"</p> - -<p>"Or at any time," said Forge in a melancholy way. "I know you of -old. Ainsleigh, take another cup."</p> - -<p>"Not in the Chinese fashion," said Rupert smiling, "you drink it -too hot for my taste and I like milk and sugar. But now I've -told you about the fan, I'll leave you to chat with Tidman."</p> - -<p>"The fan," said Tidman sitting up as straight as his stoutness -would let him, "ah yes--I forgot about that. Well?"</p> - -<p>"Well," echoed Rupert lighting a cigarette, "I called at the -joss house in Perry Street Whitechapel, and a nice sort of den -it is. A Chinaman, heard my explanation about my father's -connection with Lo-Keong, and then told me that the fan had been -stolen from that gentleman, who is now a Mandarin."</p> - -<p>"Lo-Keong was well on the way to the highest post when I saw him -last," said Forge preparing a roll of tobacco, "he was much in -favour at the court."</p> - -<p>"But I thought he was a Boxer," said Tidman, "and surely----"</p> - -<p>"Oh he gave up the Boxers, and curried favour with the Dowager -Empress. That was seven years ago, when I was last in China. I -met you there Tidman."</p> - -<p>Again the disagreeable recollection of Canton crossed the -Major's memory, and he nodded. "What about the fan?" he asked -Rupert again.</p> - -<p>"It's of great value," said Ainsleigh, "at least this Chinaman -told me so. Lo-Keong is now a Mandarin, and is high in favour -with the Dowager Empress--"</p> - -<p>"And consequently is hated by the Emperor," murmured Forge.</p> - -<p>"I don't know, doctor, I'm not up in Chinese politics. However, -the fan was lost by Lo-Keong some years ago, and being a sacred -fan, he wants it back. This Chinaman Tung-Yu--"</p> - -<p>"Oh," said the Major, "then you didn't see Hwei or Kan-su?"</p> - -<p>"Those are names of a river and a province," said the doctor.</p> - -<p>"I know," snapped Tidman, "but they were in the advertisement."</p> - -<p>"Tung-yu explained that they were used only for the purpose of -advertisement," said Rupert, "but to make a long story short, I -told him that I had seen the fan--"</p> - -<p>"You saw the fan," asked Tidman directing a side look at Forge.</p> - -<p>"A dream--a dream," said the doctor.</p> - -<p>"No," insisted the young man. "I feel sure I have seen that fan, -I can't think where. Perhaps it is amongst my father's effects -sent from China by Lo-Keong years ago----"</p> - -<p>"Twenty years ago," said Dr. Forge, "and Lo-Keong would hardly -send his own fan. I remember the things coming. I came home -immediately before. A Chinaman brought your father's papers and -luggage to Royabay. He left them with your mother and went -away."</p> - -<p>"Were you not with my father when he died?" asked Rupert, "I -always understood you were."</p> - -<p>"No. I was at Pekin at the time. Your father and I were working -the mine together, and I went about some imperial concessions. -While there I heard that your father was dead."</p> - -<p>"Was he murdered?" asked Rupert earnestly.</p> - -<p>"I really can't say, Lo-Keong said that he died of dysentery, -but he was always a liar. He wouldn't be so high in favour with -the Court if he wasn't. Lying is a fine art in the Far East, -and--"</p> - -<p>"Yes--Yes," said Tidman impatiently, "but what has all this to -do with the fan?"</p> - -<p>"I think it's all of a piece myself," said Rupert, "and I intend -to get to the bottom of it. I have seen that fan somewhere--but -I can't think--I can't," he reflected and shook his head, "no. -But I have seen it doctor, so its no use your shrugging your -shoulders. I want to find it and get that five thousand pounds."</p> - -<p>"What?" cried the Major leaping up on his stout little legs.</p> - -<p>"Lo-Keong is willing to give five thousand pounds for the return -of his fan," said Ainsleigh, who had walked to the door, "and I -intend to earn it."</p> - -<p>"Against my advice," said Forge looking up oddly.</p> - -<p>Rupert laughed. "Oh you are afraid," he said smiling.</p> - -<p>"Of you, not of myself. I know what the Chinese are, and have -studied the race for years. I know how to deal with them; but -you will get into trouble if you meddle with this fan business."</p> - -<p>"And so I say," cried Tidman emphatically.</p> - -<p>"Why, what do you know of the Chinese, Major?" asked Rupert.</p> - -<p>"More than I like to think of," said the little man wiping his -bald head. "I went out to China for a trip seven years ago and -met with an adventure in Canton--ugh!"</p> - -<p>"What sort of an adventure?"</p> - -<p>"Ugh!" grunted the Major again, "don't talk about it. It makes -me cold to think of it. The Chinese are demons. Forge got me out -of the trouble and I left China never to set foot in it again I -hope. Ainsleigh, if you want that curse of yours to be realised, -meddle with the fan. But if you want to keep your life and your -skin, leave the matter alone."</p> - -<p>"I'm going to get that five thousand pounds," said Rupert, -obstinately, "as soon as I can recollect where I saw that fan. -The memory will come back to me. I am sure it will. Doctor you -won't help me."</p> - -<p>"No," said Forge decisively. "I advise you to leave the matter -alone."</p> - -<p>"In that case I must search it out myself. Good-day," and -Ainsleigh strolled out of the room, light-heartedly enough, as -he whistled a gay tune. Major Tidman looked grimly at the closed -door, and then still more grimly at the doctor, who was paring -his nails.</p> - -<p>"Our young friend is ambitious," he said.</p> - -<p>Forge laughed gently. "You can hardly blame him. He wants to -marry Miss Rayner and save his ancestral home, so I am quite -sure he will search for the fan."</p> - -<p>"He won't find it then," said the Major petulantly.</p> - -<p>"Won't he?" questioned Forge sweetly, "well, perhaps not. By the -way you want to see me Major. Mrs. Bressy tells me you called at -least twice yesterday."</p> - -<p>"Yes. She didn't know when you would be back."</p> - -<p>"I never tell her. I like to take the old lady unawares. She is -a Dickens' character, with a fondness for drink, and for taking -things which don't belong to her. I always go away and come back -unexpectedly. Yesterday I was in Paris. Now I am at Marport. -Well?"</p> - -<p>The Major had contained himself with difficulty all this time, -and had grown very red in the face. The colour changed to a -lively purple, as he burst out. "See here Forge what's the use -of talking to me in this way. You have that fan."</p> - -<p>"Have I," said Forge smiling gently.</p> - -<p>"Yes. You know well enough that the very fan--the jade fan with -the five beads, was the cause of my getting into trouble in -Canton. You got me out of the trouble and you asked me to give -you the fan, when I thanked you."</p> - -<p>"And you refused," said Forge still smiling.</p> - -<p>"Well I did at first," said Tidman sulkily. "I risked my life -over the beastly thing, and--"</p> - -<p>Forge raised a thin hand. "Spare yourself the recital. I know."</p> - -<p>"Well then," went on Tidman excitedly. "You asked again for it -when you came home, and I gave it to you. Ainsleigh is quite -right. He <i>did</i> see the fan. I showed it to him one day before -you arrived. I see he has forgotten, but any stray thought may -revive his memory. I don't want him to have the fan."</p> - -<p>"Why not?" asked Forge shutting his knife with a click.</p> - -<p>"Because I want the five thousand pounds for myself. I'm not so -well off as people think, and I want"--</p> - -<p>"You forget," said Forge gently, "you gave me the fan."</p> - -<p>"And have you got it?"</p> - -<p>"I have," he nodded towards a cabinet of Chinese work adorned -with quaint figures, "it's in there."</p> - -<p>"Give it to me back."</p> - -<p>"No. I think I'll keep it."</p> - -<p>"What do you want to do with it?" asked Tidman angrily.</p> - -<p>Forge rose and looked stern, "I want to keep it from Lo-Keong," -he said savagely, "there's some secret connected with that fan. -I can't understand what the secret is or what the fan has to do -with it: but it means life and death to this Mandarin. He'd give -ten thousand,--twenty thousand to get that fan back. But he -shan't."</p> - -<p>"Oh," groaned the Major, "why did I give it to you. To think -that such a lot of money should go begging. If I had only known -what the fan was worth."</p> - -<p>"You knew nothing about it save as a curiosity."</p> - -<p>"How do you know," demanded the Major.</p> - -<p>Forge who had turned towards the cabinet wheeled round and -looked more like a hawk than ever as he pounced on the stout -man. "What do <i>you</i> know?" and he clawed Tidman's plump -shoulders.</p> - -<p>"Let me go confound you," blustered the Major, "what do you mean -by assaulting a gentleman"--</p> - -<p>"A gentleman." Forge suddenly released the Major and laughed -softly, "does Benjamin Tidman, old Farmer Tidman's son call -himself so. Why I remember you--"</p> - -<p>"Yes I know you do, and so does that infernal Pewsey cat."</p> - -<p>Forge suddenly became attentive. "Miss Pewsey if you please. She -is my friend. I may--" Forge halted and swallowed something. "I -may even marry her some day."</p> - -<p>"What," shouted Tidman backing to the wall, "that old--old--"</p> - -<p>"Gently my good Benjamin, gently."</p> - -<p>"But--but you're not a marrying man."</p> - -<p>"We never know what we are till we die," said Forge turning -again towards the black cabinet, "but you needn't mention what I -have said. If you do," Forge snarled like an angry cat and shot -one glance from his gray eyes that made Tidman shiver: then he -resumed his gentle tone. "About this fan. I'll make a bargain -with you."</p> - -<p>"What's that?" asked the Major avariciously.</p> - -<p>"I'll show you the fan, and if you can guess it's secret, I'll -let you give it to this Tung-yu or Hwei or Kan-su or whatever he -likes to call himself."</p> - -<p>"But you don't want Lo-Keong to have the fan," said the Major -doubtfully.</p> - -<p>Forge opened the cabinet slowly. "So long as I learn the -secret he can have the fan. I want to ruin him. He's a devil -and--ah--" he started back. "The fan--the fan--"</p> - -<p>"What is it?" asked Tidman, craning over Forge's shoulder at an -empty drawer, "where is the fan?"</p> - -<p>"Lost," cried Forge furiously, and looked like a dangerous grey -rat.</p> - -<p>"Five thousand pounds gone," moaned the Major.</p> - -<p>"My life you fool--my life," cried the doctor, "it is at stake."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_03" href="#div1Ref_03">CHAPTER III</a></h4> -<h5>Miss Wharf at Home</h5> -<br> - -<p>The best houses in Marport were situated on the Cliffs. They -stood a considerable way back and had small plots of ground -before them cultivated or not, according to the taste of those -who owned them. Some of these gardens were brilliant with -flowers, others had nothing but shrubs in them, presenting -rather a sombre appearance, and a few were bare sun-burnt grass -plots, with no adornment whatsoever. A broad road divided the -gardens from the grassy undulations of the cliffs, and along -this thoroughfare, rolled carriages, bicycles, and motor-cars -all day during the season. Then came the grass on the cliff-tops -which stretched for a long distance, and which was dotted with -shelters for nervous invalids. At one end there was a round -band-stand where red-coated musicians played lively airs from the -latest musical comedy. Round the stand were rows of chairs hired -out at twopence an afternoon, and indeed, all over the lawns, -seats of various kinds were scattered. At the end of the grass, -the cliffs sloped gradually and were intersected with winding -paths, which led downward to the asphalt Esplanade which ran -along the water's edge, when the tide was high, and beside -evil-smelling mud when the tide was out. And on what was known -as the beach--a somewhat gritty strand,--were many bathing -machines. Such was the general appearance of Marport which the -Essex people looked on as a kind of Brighton, only much better.</p> - -<p>Miss Sophia Wharf owned a cosy little house at the far end of -the cliffs, and just at the point where Marport begins to melt -into the country. It was a modern house comfortably furnished -and brilliant with electric lights. The garden in front of it -was well taken care of, there were scarlet and white shades to -the windows and flower boxes filled with blossoms on the sills. -Everyone who passed remarked on the beauty of the house, and -Miss Wharf was always pleased when she heard them envy her -possessions. She liked to possess a Naboth's Vineyard of her -own, and appreciated it the more, when others would have liked -to take it. She had an income of one thousand a year and -therefore could live very comfortably. The house (Ivy Lodge was -it's highly original name) was her own, bought in the days when -Marport was nothing but a fishing village. She knew everyone in -the neighbourhood, was a staunch friend to the vicar who was -high church and quite after her own heart in the use of banners, -incense, candles and side-altars, and on the whole was one of -the leading ladies of the place. She had the reputation of being -charitable, but this was owing to Miss Pewsey who constantly -trumpeted the bestowal of any stray shilling being by her -patroness.</p> - -<p>Miss Wharf was a lady of good family, but had quarrelled with -her relatives. She was a tall, cold, blonde woman who had once -been handsome and still retained a certain portion of good -looks, in spite of her forty and more years. She lived with her -niece Olivia the child of a sister long since dead, and with -Miss Pewsey, to whom she gave a home as a companion. But Miss -Wharf well knew, that Lavinia Pewsey was worth her weight in -gold owing to the way she praised up her good, kind, devoted, -loving, sweet, friend. The adjectives are Miss Pewsey's own, but -some people said that Sophia Wharf did not deserve to have them -attached to her. The lady had her enemies, and these openly -declared, as the Major had done, that she was a mass of granite. -Other people, less prejudiced, urged that Miss Wharf looked -after Olivia, who was a penniless orphan. To which the grumblers -retorted that Miss Wharf liked someone to vent her temper on, -and that the poor girl, being too pretty, did duty as a whipping -boy. This was possibly true, for Olivia and her aunt did not get -on well together. In her own way the girl looked as cold as Miss -Wharf, but this coldness was merely a mask to hide a warm and -loving nature, while Miss Wharf was an ice-berg through and -through. However, on the whole, Sophia Wharf was well liked, and -took care to make the most of her looks and her moderate income -and her reputation as a charitable lady. And Miss Pewsey was the -show-woman who displayed her patroness's points to their best -advantage.</p> - -<p>The drawing-room of Ivy Lodge was a flimsy, pretty, feminine, -room, furnished in a gim-crack fashion, of the high art style. -The floor was waxed, and covered with Persian praying mats, the -chairs were gilt and had spindle legs the settee was Empire, the -piano was encased in green wood and adorned with much brass, the -sofa was Louis Quinze and covered with brocade, and there were -many tables of rose-wood, dainty and light, heaped high with -useless nick-knacks.</p> - -<p>The walls of pale green were adorned with water-colour pictures, -and many mirrors draped with Liberty silk. Everywhere were large -bowls of flowers, miniatures of Miss Wharf at various times of -her life, curiosities from China and Japan and the near East, -and all sorts of odds and ends which Miss Wharf had collected on -her travels. Not that she had been to the East, for the -evidences of civilisation in those lands came from Dr. Forge and -Major Tidman, but Miss Wharf had explored Germany, Switzerland -and Italy and consequently had brought home cuckoo-clocks, -quaint carvings, pictures of the Madonna, Etruscan idols and -such like things with which every tourist loads himself or -herself. The result was, that the drawing-room looked like a -curiosity shop, but it was considered to be one of the prettiest -drawing-rooms in Essex.</p> - -<p>Miss Wharf looked too large and too substantial for the frail -furniture of the room. She had a double chin and was certainly -very stout. Very wisely she had a special arm-chair placed in -the window--from which she could see all that was going on,--and -here she sat working most of the day. She was great on doing -fancy articles for bazaars, and silk ties for such gentlemen as -she admired, for Miss Wharf, old maid as she was, liked male -society. The Major was her great admirer, so was young Walker, -Lady Jabe's nephew. Sophia was not very sure of this last gentleman, as -she shrewdly suspected--prompted by Miss Pewsey--that he admired Olivia. -Rupert also admired Olivia and wanted to marry her, a proceeding which -Miss Wharf objected to. Miss Pewsey supported her in this, for both -women were envious of the youth which had passed from them for ever. -But Miss Wharf had also another reason, which Miss Pewsey knew, but of -which Olivia was ignorant. Hitherto Sophia had kept it from the girl -but this afternoon in a fit of rage she let it out. The explosion did -not come at once, for Lady Jabe was in the room drinking tea, and Miss -Pewsey was flitting about, filling odd vases with flowers. Olivia sat -on the settee very straight and very cold, looking dark and handsome, -and altogether too splendid a woman for her aunt to tolerate.</p> - -<p>"Can't you do something?" said Miss Wharf turning her jealous -eyes on the girl. "I should think you must be tired, twiddling -your thumbs all day."</p> - -<p>"I'll do whatever you wish me to do," said Olivia coldly.</p> - -<p>"Then help Lavinia with the flowers."</p> - -<p>Olivia rose to do so, but Miss Pewsey refused her assistance in -a shrill speech spoken as usual between her teeth and with an -emphasis on every other word.</p> - -<p>"Oh no dear, dear, Sophia," cried Miss Pewsey, "I have just -finished, and I may say that my eye for colour is better than -Olivia's--you don't mind my saying so, darling," she added to -the girl.</p> - -<p>"Not at all," replied Miss Rayner who detested the sycophant. "I -never give the matter a thought."</p> - -<p>"You <i>should</i> think," said Lady Jabe joining in heavily. She was -a tall masculine-looking woman with grey hair and bushy grey -eyebrows, and with an expression of face that suggested she -should have worn a wig and sat on the bench. She dressed in -rather a manly way, and far too young for her fifty years. On -the present occasion she wore a yachting-cap, a shirt with a -stand-up, all round, collar and a neat bow; a leather belt and a -bicycling skirt of blue serge. Her boots and shoes were of -tanned brown leather, and she carried a bamboo cane instead of a -sunshade. No one could have been more gentlemanly. "You should -think," added she once more, "for instance you should think of -marriage."</p> - -<p>Miss Wharf drew herself up in her cold way. "I fancy that -Olivia, few brains as she has, is yet wise enough not to think -of marriage at twenty."</p> - -<p>"It would not be much good if I did," said Olivia calmly. "I -have no money, and young men want a rich wife."</p> - -<p>"Not all," said Lady Jabe, "there's Chris----"</p> - -<p>"Chris is out of the question," said Miss Rayner quickly.</p> - -<p>"And pray why is he?" asked Sophia in arms at once. She never -liked Olivia to have an opinion of her own.</p> - -<p>"Because I don't love him."</p> - -<p>"But Chris loves you," said Lady Jabe, "and really he's getting -a very good salary in that Tea-merchant's office. Chris, as you -are aware, Olivia, is foreign corresponding clerk to Kum-gum Li -& Co. He knows Chinese," finished Lady Jabe, with tremendous -emphasis.</p> - -<p>"Oh," Miss Pewsey threw up her claws, "how delicious to be made -love to in Chinese. I must really ask Mr. Walker what is the -Chinese for 'I love you.'"</p> - -<p>"Olivia prefers to hear it in English," said Miss Wharf, -spitefully.</p> - -<p>"Quite so, aunt," retorted her niece, her colour rising, "but -don't you think we might change the subject. It really isn't -very interesting."</p> - -<p>"But indeed I think it is," said Lady Jabe smartly, "I come here -to plead the cause of poor Chris. His heart is breaking. Your -aunt is willing to----"</p> - -<p>"But I am not," said Miss Rayner quickly, "so please let us say -no more about the matter. Mr. Walker can marry Lotty Dean."</p> - -<p>"But she's a grocer's daughter," said Lady Jabe, who was herself -the widow of an oil-merchant, "and remember my title."</p> - -<p>"Lotty isn't going to marry you, Lady Jabe."</p> - -<p>"Nor Chris, if I can help it," said the other grimly.</p> - -<p>Miss Wharf was just about to crush Olivia with a particularly -disagreeable remark, when the door opened and two gentlemen -entered. One was Christopher Walker, a slim, boyish-looking -young fellow, in that callow stage of manhood which sees beauty -in every woman. The other, who followed, was Miss Pewsey's -nephew.</p> - -<p>There was nothing immature about him, although he was but twenty -eight years of age. Clarence Burgh was tall, thin, dark and had -the appearance of a swashbuckler as he swaggered into the room. -His black eyes snapped with an unholy light and his speech -smacked too much of the Lands at the Back of Beyond, where he -had passed the most part of his life. He was an expert rider, -and daily rode a bucking squealing, kicking stallion up and down -the road, or took long gallops into the country to reduce the -fire of the unruly beast. Burgh was bad all through, daring, -free, bold, and had a good deal of the untamed savage about him; -but he was emphatically a man, and it was this virile atmosphere -about him, which caused his withered aunt to adore him. And indeed -Miss Wharf admired him also, as did many of the women in Marport. -Clarence looked like a buccaneer who would carry a woman off, and -knock her down if she objected to his love-making. Women like that -sort of dominating lord of the world, and accordingly Mr. Burgh had -nothing to complain of, so far as feminine admiration went, during -his sojourn in Marport. But he had set his affections on Olivia, and -hitherto she had shrunk from him. All the same, brute as he was, she -admired him more than she did effeminate Chris Walker, who smacked of -the city and of a feather-bed-four-meals-a-day existence.</p> - -<p>"Oh," squeaked Miss Pewsey, flying to the hero and clasping him -round the neck, "how very, very sweet of you to come."</p> - -<p>"Hadn't anything else to do," said Clarence gracefully, casting -himself into a chair. All his movements were graceful like those -of a panther. "How are you Miss Wharf--Miss Rayner--Lady Jabe. I -guess you all look like a garden of spring flowers this day."</p> - -<p>"But flowers we may not pluck," sighed Chris prettily.</p> - -<p>Burgh looked at him with contempt. "I reckon a man can pick what -he has a mind to," said he drily, and then shifted his gaze to -see how Olivia took this speech. To his secret annoyance, she -did not let on, she heard him.</p> - -<p>"Will you have some tea, Mr. Burgh," asked Miss Wharf.</p> - -<p>"Thanks. It seems to be the sort of thing one must drink here."</p> - -<p>"You drank it in China didn't you?" asked Lady Jabe.</p> - -<p>Burgh turned quickly. "Who told you I had been in China?" he -asked.</p> - -<p>"My nephew Chris. He heard you talking Chinese to someone."</p> - -<p>The dark young man looked distinctly annoyed. "When was that?" -he asked Chris.</p> - -<p>"Two weeks ago," replied the other, "you were standing at the -corner of the Mansion House talking to a Chinaman. I only caught -a word or two in passing."</p> - -<p>"And I guess you didn't understand," said Clarence derisively.</p> - -<p>"There you are wrong. I am in a Chinese firm, and know the -language. As a matter of fact I write their foreign letters for -them."</p> - -<p>"The deuce you do," murmured Burgh looking rather disturbed; but -he said no more on the subject, and merely enquired if the -ladies were prepared for the ball at the Bristol which was to -take place in six days. "I hear it's going to be a bully -affair."</p> - -<p>"Oh charming--charming," said Miss Pewsey. "Major Tidman is one -of the stewards. I asked him for a ticket for you Clarence -dear."</p> - -<p>"I'll go, if Miss Rayner will dance with me."</p> - -<p>"I don't know that I am going myself," said Olivia quietly.</p> - -<p>"Nonsense," said her aunt sharply, "of course you are going. -Everyone is going--the best ball of the season."</p> - -<p>"Even poor little me," said Miss Pewsey, with her elderly head -on one side.</p> - -<p>"Huh," said the irreverent Clarence, "ain't you past hoppin' -aunt?"</p> - -<p>"I can look on and admire the younger generation dear."</p> - -<p>"It will be a splendid ball," prattled Chris sipping his tea and -devouring very crumbly cake, "the Glorious Golfers are going to -spend a lot of money in decorating the rooms. I met Mr. -Ainsleigh. He is going--a rare thing for him. He goes nowhere as -a rule."</p> - -<p>Miss Wharf glanced sharply at her niece, but beyond a faint -flush, she could detect no sign of emotion. "People who are as -poor as young Ainsleigh, can't afford to go out," she said -deliberately. "I think the wisest thing that young man could do, -would be to marry a rich girl," and she again looked at Olivia.</p> - -<p>"He is certainly very handsome," said Lady Jabe pensively, "very -much like his mother. She was a fine-looking woman, one of the -Vanes of Heathersham."</p> - -<p>"I remember her," said Miss Wharf, her colour rising, "and I -never thought she was good-looking myself."</p> - -<p>"Not to compare to you dear," said the sycophant.</p> - -<p>But this time Miss Pewsey made a mistake. The remark did not -seem to please Miss Wharf. "I don't care for comparisons," she -said sharply, "its bad taste to make them. I like Mr. Ainsleigh, -but I don't approve of his idling."</p> - -<p>"He has never been brought up to do anything," said Lady Jabe.</p> - -<p>"Then he ought to turn his hands to making money in some way. -That place is mortgaged and at any time may be sold. Then he -won't have a roof over his head."</p> - -<p>"I have never met Ainsleigh," said Burgh musingly, "I guess I'd -like to have a jaw along o' him. Wasn't his father murdered in -China?"</p> - -<p>Miss Wharf became suddenly pale. "It is said that he was, but I -don't believe it."</p> - -<p>"Then he's alive," said Clarence pertinaciously, and looking at -her.</p> - -<p>"No. He's dead, but he died of dysentery, according to Dr. Forge -who was with him when he died--somewhere in the north I -believe."</p> - -<p>Burgh evidently stored this in his memory and looked keenly at -the woman whose bosom rose and fell and whose colour came and -went under his steady gaze. Miss Pewsey saw that the persistent -look was annoying her patroness, and touched her nephew's arm -gently. The touch recalled Burgh to his senses and he looked -away. This time his eyes rested on Olivia. Her colour was high -and apparently she had been listening with interest to the -conversation. "Huh," thought the swashbuckler, "and it was about -young Ainsleigh," and he stored this in his memory also.</p> - -<p>To make a sensation, which he dearly loved to do, Chris Walker -announced that he would bring a distinguished visitor to the -ball of the Glorious Golfers. "He's a Chinaman," said he -pompously, "and was mixed up in the Boxer rebellion."</p> - -<p>None of the ladies seemed impressed, as none of them knew -anything about the Boxers, or their rebellion. But Burgh looked -up. "Who is he anyhow?" he demanded, compressing his lips.</p> - -<p>"A Chinese gentleman called Tung-yu."</p> - -<p>"What a very extraordinary name," said Miss Pewsey, and suddenly began -to take a deep interest in matters Chinese. While she chatted with -Chris who was willing to afford her all information. Burgh folded his -arms and leaned back apparently thinking deeply. His face was not -pleasant to behold. Olivia saw the evil look and shivered. Then she -rose and was about to steal from the room, when her aunt called to -her sharply. "Don't go Olivia I want to speak with you."</p> - -<p>"And I want to take my usual walk," said Lady Jabe rising and -settling her collar, "Chris?"</p> - -<p>A tap on the shoulder brought the slim young man to his feet, -and giving his arm to his masculine aunt the two departed. Burgh -rose also. "I guess I'll make tracks also?" he said smartly. -"Walker, you and I can have a yarn together, later."</p> - -<p>Miss Pewsey followed her nephew to the door.</p> - -<p>"Do you wish to ask young Mr. Walker more about Tung-yu?" she -asked.</p> - -<p>Clarence wheeled round quickly. "What do you know of him aunt?"</p> - -<p>"It's such a strange name," simpered Miss Pewsey, looking very -innocent, "and I am interested in China. You were out there a -long time Clarence."</p> - -<p>"Amongst other places, yes. I hung round a bit."</p> - -<p>"Then you must tell me all about the natives," said Miss Pewsey, -"I want to know of their robes and their fans and--"</p> - -<p>"Fans," said Burgh starting: but Miss Pewsey with an artificial -laugh flitted back into the room, leaving him uneasy and -non-plussed. He walked away frowning darkly.</p> - -<p>Olivia would have walked away also frowning, as she was -indignant at the way in which her aunt had spoken of Rupert. But -Miss Wharf gave her no chance of leaving the room or the house. -Olivia had never seen her aunt so pale or upset. She looked as -white as chalk, and controlled her emotion with difficulty. -Lavinia Pewsey glanced at the two, guessed there was about to be -a row, and glided away. She always kept out of trouble.</p> - -<p>"Now," said Miss Wharf when they were alone, "I want an -explanation."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_04" href="#div1Ref_04">CHAPTER IV</a></h4> -<h5>Rupert's Secret</h5> -<br> - -<p>Olivia was astonished to see the emotion of her aunt, for, as a -rule Miss Wharf was cold and self-contained. The two had never -got on well together, and the elder woman was undeniably jealous -of the youth and superior good looks of the younger. But as -Olivia owed bed and board to her aunt, she always behaved as -well as possible to one who was very trying in many ways. It is -only just to say, that Miss Pewsey made matters much worse by -tale-bearing, and probably had she been out of the house, Miss -Wharf and her niece might have got on better. But they could -never have been congenial companions. The difference between -their natures was too great.</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Miss Wharf throwing herself back in her seat, and -feeling irritated by the silence of Olivia. "I want an explanation."</p> - -<p>"What about?" asked the girl seating herself opposite and folding her -hands, which, Miss Wharf noticed with bitterness, were more slender -and delicate that her own.</p> - -<p>"You know well enough."</p> - -<p>"If it's about Rupert"--</p> - -<p>"There," snapped the aunt, "I knew you would guess. Yes it is -about young Ainsleigh, and how dare you call him Rupert?"</p> - -<p>"Because I love him," said Olivia firmly, and looked directly -into the cold blue eyes of her aunt.</p> - -<p>"Then you must put this love out of your head. You shall never -marry him--never--never--never."</p> - -<p>"If I choose, and I do choose," said Olivia calmly, but with a -fine colour. "I shall certainly marry him. I am of age--"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and a pauper."</p> - -<p>"Rupert would not marry me for my money."</p> - -<p>"He is wise; for you have none."</p> - -<p>"It is kind of you to speak to me in this way," said Olivia, "to -remind me of obligations. I am aware that my parents died poor -and left me a penniless orphan. I am aware that you took me in -and educated me and--"</p> - -<p>"And acted like a mother to you," said Miss Wharf vehemently.</p> - -<p>"No. You never acted like a mother. With you, I have had a most -unhappy life."</p> - -<p>"Olivia," the elder woman started furiously from her chair, "how -dare you say that. Have I grudged you clothes or food. Did I not -send you to a first-class school and--"</p> - -<p>"So far as material things are concerned you have done -everything Aunt Sophia, and I thank you for what you have -done--"</p> - -<p>"A fine way you have of showing it," scoffed Miss Wharf.</p> - -<p>"But a mother you have never been," went on Olivia calmly, "you -have never given me a kind word; you speak to me before visitors -as you should not do: you make me slave for you and run messages -and talk of me to others as though I were a servant. What love -have you ever shown me?" demanded Olivia, starting up in her -turn, and also becoming excited. "I long for love. My heart -yearns for it. I would like to be a daughter to you, but always -you have kept me at arm's length. Aunt Sophia let me go. I can -earn my bread as a governess, or as a typist. It will be better -for us both."</p> - -<p>"No," said Aunt Sophia, looking as hard as stone.</p> - -<p>"I shall not let you go. If you have any gratitude in you, you -will remain and help me to manage the house."</p> - -<p>"You have Miss Pewsey."</p> - -<p>"She is not a relative, you are."</p> - -<p>"And so you treat me worse than you do her. Well, Aunt Sophia, I -am not ungrateful though you seem to think I am. I shall stop -with you. I only ask for a little more consideration."</p> - -<p>"I give you every consideration. As for love, I cannot give it -to you or to anyone. I gave all the love my nature was capable -of feeling to Markham Ainsleigh, and he rejected my love. Yes, -you may look astonished, but it was this man's father who broke -my heart."</p> - -<p>"And that is why you don't want Rupert to marry me."</p> - -<p>"That is the reason," said Miss Wharf sitting down and growing -more her calm stony self. "I was almost engaged to Markham -Ainsleigh: but he saw Violet Vane and fell in love with her. He -left me and made her his wife. Can you wonder that I hate the -son of the woman who stole my love away from me?"</p> - -<p>"Rupert is the son of the man you loved----"</p> - -<p>"And of the man who cheated me. Look at my lonely life, at my -starved heart. I hate the Ainsleighs--there's only one left but -I hate him. And when I heard Markham was murdered in China I was -glad--yes, very glad."</p> - -<p>"What an unforgiving nature you have."</p> - -<p>"I have every right to be unforgiving. Markham ruined my life. -And do you think I'll let you marry Rupert--the son of that -woman. No! Marry him, and I leave what money I have to Miss -Pewsey."</p> - -<p>"You can if you like, Aunt Sophia. I don't want your money."</p> - -<p>"Reflect," said Miss Wharf violently. "I have a thousand a year. -Half of that goes to a distant relative, and the remainder you -shall have if you will give this man up. Five hundred a year is -not to be thrown away."</p> - -<p>"I cannot give Rupert up," said Olivia firmly.</p> - -<p>"Think girl," pleaded Miss Wharf, her face becoming red and -wrinkled with the violence of her passion, "there are other men -who love you. Young Walker would make you a good husband, and -Lady Jabe is most anxious for the match."</p> - -<p>"I like Chris," said Olivia, "and I have known him all my life. -But I can't marry him. I want a master when I marry."</p> - -<p>"Then take Clarence Burgh," said Miss Wharf, "he will be your -master."</p> - -<p>"No. He's a brute."</p> - -<p>"He's a man--much more of a man than Rupert Ainsleigh."</p> - -<p>"I deny that," said Olivia fiercely.</p> - -<p>"He is. Clarence has been all over the world. He has fought -everywhere--"</p> - -<p>"So has Major Tidman. Do you advise me to marry him?"</p> - -<p>"He would make you a better husband than Rupert, old as he is. -That young Ainsleigh is a dreamer. He is on the point of losing -his estates, yet he sits at Royabay doing nothing."</p> - -<p>"He intends to do something, and save the estates."</p> - -<p>"Never. He is not the sort of man to work. Olivia if you will -take Chris Walker, or Clarence Burgh for your husband I shall -leave you five hundred a year. If you refuse I give you -nothing."</p> - -<p>"I prefer nothing--and Rupert."</p> - -<p>"Then you shall not have him. I'll ruin him first."</p> - -<p>Olivia started. "You can't ruin him. You talk wildly."</p> - -<p>"Oh do I," sneered Miss Wharf, "that shows you know little of me -or of my business. Listen. I bought up a mortgage on the Royabay -estate. It cost me money which I could ill afford to pay away. -But I bought it so as to ruin the son of that woman Vane who -took Markham from me. I always intended to buy the estate, or at -least to drive Rupert from the place, but if you will give him -up, I shall forego my revenge. Now what do you say?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing," faltered Olivia, who had turned very pale. "I don't -know what to say."</p> - -<p>"Will you give the man up."</p> - -<p>"I won't see him, if that will please you."</p> - -<p>"No. It doesn't please me. You must give him up, and engage -yourself to Mr. Walker or to Mr. Burgh."</p> - -<p>"I cannot--I cannot--" said poor Olivia.</p> - -<p>Miss Wharf stamped her foot and bit her lip. "You are as -obstinate as your mother was before you," she said savagely. "I -shall give you one month to make up your mind, and that is very -generous of me. If you surrender Rupert and choose one of the -other two, I will not foreclose the mortgage and will leave you -five hundred a year."</p> - -<p>"When can you foreclose?" asked Olivia anxiously.</p> - -<p>"By the end of the year. So it rests with you, if Rupert -Ainsleigh leaves his home in six months or keeps it. Now you can -go."</p> - -<p>Olivia Rayner was not a girl who would stand dictation. But for -some reason or another she meekly bowed her head and went out, -leaving Miss Wharf to calm down over her needle-work.</p> - -<p>The girl went to her own room, and lay down to think over the -situation. What she thought or what plan she conceived, it is -difficult to say; but she came down to dinner quite composed. -Her aunt looked at her sharply, and Miss Pewsey with suspicion, -but neither of them made any remark bearing on the storm. On the -contrary Miss Wharf chatted about the ball and talked of her -dress and even advised Olivia about her costume. "You will look -very well in white," said Miss Wharf.</p> - -<p>"But not so lovely as my Sophia in pale blue," said Miss Pewsey -with her usual emphasis. "I know you will be the belle of the -ball darling Sophia."</p> - -<p>"I have been the belle of several balls in my time," said Miss -Wharf good-humouredly.</p> - -<p>"And will be still," purred Miss Pewsey like the cat she was, -"my dear nephew, said you were a rattling fine woman."</p> - -<p>"It sounds like one of Mr. Burgh's speeches," said Olivia with -great contempt. She knew that the buccaneer loved her, and -therefore disliked him the more.</p> - -<p>"Oh Olivia how can you," cried the little old maid, throwing up -her hands, "when poor, dear, darling, Clarence worships the -ground you walk on. He's got money too, and wants a wife!"</p> - -<p>"Let him marry Lotty Dean then."</p> - -<p>"That retired grocer's daughter," cried Miss Pewsey, drawing -herself up, "no indeed. I may be poor, but I am of gentle blood -Olivia. The Pewsey's have been in Essex for generations. My papa -was rich and could afford to send me to a fashionable school -when I met my own Sophia. But poor sweet papa lost his money and -then--oh dear me." Miss Pewsey squeezed out a tear. "What sad -times I have had."</p> - -<p>"You're all right now, Lavinia," said Miss Wharf stolidly, eating -fruit and sipping port wine.</p> - -<p>"Yes dearest Sophia, thanks to your large and generous heart. I have -no one in the world but you and Clarence. He is the son of my only -sister, and has travelled--"</p> - -<p>"In China," said Olivia.</p> - -<p>Miss Pewsey narrowed her eyes and looked as though about to -scratch.</p> - -<p>"In China, of course. But why do you make that remark, Olivia?"</p> - -<p>The girl shrugged her shoulders. "I observed that Mr. Burgh has not -very pleasant recollections of China," she said deliberately, "he was -not pleased to find that Mr. Walker could talk the language, and he -was uncomfortable when the name Tung-yu was mentioned."</p> - -<p>Miss Pewsey bit her lip. "Do you know anything of Tung-yu?"</p> - -<p>"No. Why should I. All I know, is that Chris Walker says he will bring -the man down here for the ball."</p> - -<p>The little old maid looked hard at the girl, but Olivia bore her -scrutiny composedly. She wondered why Miss Pewsey stared so -hard, and laid such emphasis on the Chinese name, but the matter -slipped from her mind when she retired to her room. She would -have wondered still more had she known that Miss Pewsey came up -the stairs and listened at the door of the bed-room.</p> - -<p>Olivia had arranged to meet Rupert near the band-stand, as their -meetings were secret because of Miss Wharf's dislike. Certainly -the young man had come to the house, and Miss Wharf had received -him with cold dignity: but when he showed a marked preference -for Olivia's company, she gave him to understand that she did -not approve. Henceforth Rupert stopped away from Ivy Lodge, and -met Olivia at intervals near the band-stand. So Olivia, putting -on a dark dress and a veil, slipped out of the house, and took -her way along the brilliantly lighted front. She had often gone -before and always had left her aunt and Miss Pewsey sitting in -the drawing-room, Miss Wharf working and the companion reading -the newspaper. Miss Wharf never by any chance looked at a -newspaper herself, but left it to Miss Pewsey to cull the choice -news for her delectation.</p> - -<p>So Olivia, feeling quite safe, stepped lightly along to where -the crowd gathered round the stand. It was a perfect night and -very warm, therefore many people were seated in the chairs -and strolling across the grass. Olivia went to a certain -corner, and, as she expected, found her lover. He was not in -evening-dress, but for the sake of the meeting had assumed a -dark serge suit. As she advanced, he recognised her and came -forward taking off his hat. Then he gave her his arm and the two -strolled to the far end of the green where they sat down under -the fence which was round the flag-staff. There, removed from -everyone, they could talk in moderately loud tones.</p> - -<p>"My darling," said Rupert, possessing himself of Olivia's hand. -"I thought you would not come. You were late."</p> - -<p>"I could not get away before. Miss Pewsey watches me like a cat -does a mouse, and with the same disposition to pounce, I -expect."</p> - -<p>"She's a detestable woman," said Rupert angrily, "why can't she -leave you alone?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know. Rupert, she wants me to marry her nephew."</p> - -<p>"What, that bounder who rides so furiously," cried Rupert -fiercely, "you don't mean to say that he dares----"</p> - -<p>"Not in words, but he looks--oh," Olivia shivered, "you know the -sort of look a man like that, gives you."</p> - -<p>"I'll twist his neck if he insults you."</p> - -<p>"Then Miss Pewsey would complain to my aunt and I should get -into trouble. Oh, Rupert," she said softly, "I am so afraid."</p> - -<p>"Of that man. Nonsense."</p> - -<p>"No--of everything. I can keep Mr. Burgh off--"</p> - -<p>"Who is he?" asked Rupert jealously.</p> - -<p>"Miss Pewsey's nephew. I can manage him, bold as he is. But it -is you I am afraid of. Listen," and Olivia told the young man -what she had learned from Miss Wharf that afternoon. "She can -ruin you," said the poor girl, almost crying, "and she will if -she learns the truth."</p> - -<p>Rupert pressed the hand he held. "Why not tell her the truth," -he said. "I'm willing to face poverty if you are."</p> - -<p>"Rupert, are you mad? If Aunt Sophia learned that we were -married--hark, what was that?" and Olivia rose, and nervously -peered into the shadows, "I thought I heard a noise."</p> - -<p>"It's nothing. Only some rats in the long grass within the -fence. No one's about. They're all over at the band. But about -our marriage, Olivia. Miss Wharf must learn sooner or later."</p> - -<p>"Yes. But you know I asked you to keep it quiet that I might not -have trouble with her. It was selfish of me, for it would have -been braver of me to have faced her anger and then have told all -the world that we were married at that Registry Office. But I'm -glad now I didn't. She would have ruined you."</p> - -<p>"She can't do anything till the end of the year."</p> - -<p>"But why didn't you tell me she held this mortgage?"</p> - -<p>"Well, I thought that before the end of the year I might manage -to pay it and the other mortgages off. Then we could announce -that we were married, and live at Royabay on what small income I -have."</p> - -<p>"I don't mind about the income," said Mrs. Ainsleigh, for that -Olivia secretly was. "I'd live on a shilling a day with you, -darling. But aunt threatens if I marry you to cut me out of her -will. She would do so at once if she knew the truth, and leave -the money to Miss Pewsey."</p> - -<p>"Let her. I daresay that old maid has schemed for it. She's a -wicked old woman that and worthy of her bounder of a nephew. -Never mind about the money or the mortgage. Let us announce the -marriage. I don't like the position you occupy. It is not fit -that my wife should be exposed to the attentions of a cad like -this Burgh."</p> - -<p>"Wait till the end of the year," said Olivia feverishly, "then -you may be able to get money, to put things straight. It is best -to keep the matter quiet now. Oh how I wish we had money -Rupert."</p> - -<p>"I may be able to make it out of the fan?"</p> - -<p>"What fan?" asked Olivia looking at him.</p> - -<p>Rupert laughed. "I forgot you don't know." He took the slip of -paper from his pocket-book and lighting a match he read the -description of the fan. "I went up to the place," he continued -dropping the lucifer, "and saw a Chinaman, Tung-yu--"</p> - -<p>"What," said Olivia starting, "why that is the man Mr. Walker -is going to bring to the ball. He's a clerk in the firm of -Kum-gum-Li and Company."</p> - -<p>"That's strange. I thought he was the keeper of the Joss house -in Perry Street, Whitechapel. Humph! Does Walker know of the -fan?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know. But he knows this Tung-yu, and I think, so does -Mr. Burgh. He seemed much annoyed when he heard the name."</p> - -<p>"What about?"</p> - -<p>"I can't say. And Rupert. Mr. Burgh speaks Chinese--"</p> - -<p>"He must be very clever then for I hear it is a most awful -language to get hold of. Was Burgh ever in China?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. He brought the fan from that place?"</p> - -<p>"Fan." Rupert turned round sharply, "what fan?"</p> - -<p>"The one you talk about," said Olivia innocently.</p> - -<p>"I recognised it at once from the description you read just -now."</p> - -<p>"Are you sure," said Rupert much excited, for he never expected -to hear of the missing fan from Olivia of all people.</p> - -<p>"Quite sure--positive. The fan is painted green on one side and -the sticks on the other are overlaid with thin jade, so I -suppose it gets its name from the mineral. Then it has a cord of -yellow silk with four beads and half a bead, and----"</p> - -<p>"It is the same. Where did Burgh get it?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know. He says he brought it from China, and offered it -to me. I refused it----"</p> - -<p>"I should think so," said Ainsleigh fuming, "well?"</p> - -<p>"Then he gave it to my aunt."</p> - -<p>"And has Miss Wharf got it now?"</p> - -<p>"I think so, but I have not seen it lately. I expect if she has, -she will use it at the ball."</p> - -<p>"And Tung-yu who advertises, is coming to the ball," mused -Rupert, "there doesn't seem much chance for me. I expect your -aunt will make the money after all."</p> - -<p>"It won't be much. Who would give a large sum for that fan?"</p> - -<p>"Tung-yu will. He is ready to give five thousand pounds."</p> - -<p>"Oh," said Olivia with real regret, "and I refused it."</p> - -<p>"I'm glad you did," cried Rupert angrily, "I would rather -everything went than that you should accept presents from that -bounder. Well I fear my chance is gone Olivia. I'm ruined."</p> - -<p>"Dearest I will face the ruin with you," and in the shadows they -kissed.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_05" href="#div1Ref_05">CHAPTER V</a></h4> -<h5>Concerning the Fan</h5> -<br> - -<p>Rupert returned to Royabay in rather a melancholy frame of mind. -He found himself in a very difficult situation, and there did -not seem to be any chance of his extricating himself therefrom, -now that Miss Wharf possessed the fan. It was strange that she -should have received it from Clarence Burgh, and Rupert wondered -how that dashing young gentleman became its owner. However, -there was little use speculating on this. Miss Wharf had the -fan, and probably she would keep it, unless the large sum of -money offered by Tung-yu tempted her to do business. Ainsleigh -wondered also, if the old maid had read the papers, and if she -had seen the advertisement.</p> - -<p>"But what does it matter to me," said Rupert, as he turned up -the avenue. "I won't get the money, and Miss Wharf will see me -hanged first before she will let me make such a sum. While I am -poor, she holds me in her clutches, and thinks by means of that -mortgage to prevent my marriage with Olivia. What would she say -if she knew that we were already married. I was wrong to consent -to keep the affair secret, even though Olivia wished it. In any -case Miss Wharf can do nothing, till the end of the year, and -the truth is bound to come to her ears sooner or later. Then she -will strike and spare not. I believe that's the motto of the -Wharfs, and it fits her spiteful temper excellently."</p> - -<p>Then Rupert went on to reflect on what Olivia had told him of -Aunt Sophia's romance with Markham Ainsleigh. The young man had -never heard of it before, as he knew little of his father, who -had gone to China, a few years after his heir was born. In fact -Markham only waited till there was a male Ainsleigh to carry on -the succession and to inherit what remained of the estates, and -then steamed to the Far East to seek fortune. But fortune had -proved unkind and the poor man had died--whether of dysentery or -by violence, it is difficult to say. Some people said one thing -and some another, but even Rupert did not know the truth. Dr. -Forge, who had worked the mine in the Kan-su province along with -Markham, knew the absolute truth, and he ascribed the death to -dysentery, so Rupert, for the time being at all events, was -willing to accept this explanation. He had no reason to doubt -the loyalty of Theophilus Forge who had been a college chum of -his father's.</p> - -<p>Thinking in this way and considering whether it would not be -advisable to proclaim his marriage so as to release his wife -from the odious attentions of Clarence Burgh, the young man -arrived at the house. He was met in the hall by Mrs. Petley, who -announced that Major Tidman was waiting to see her young master. -Rupert nodded in an absent-minded way and was going to the -library where the Major was kicking his heels, when Mrs. Petley -caught him by the arm. "It's walking again," said Mrs. Petley, -whose fat face was pale, "and say what you like Master Rupert, -trouble is coming."</p> - -<p>She was a stout old dame with a red face suggestive of drink, a most -unfair thing to be said of her as she drank nothing stronger than gin -and water, one tumbler a night before retiring. But Mrs. Petley had -been a cook in her early days; later on she assumed the position -Rupert's nurse, and finally, having married Petley the butler, she -became housekeeper of Royabay. She was a common vulgar old woman, but -loyal to the core, and adored Rupert. When he had to dismiss the -greater part of his servants he retained John Petley, and John -Petley's wife, who continued to serve him faithfully and always hoped -for better days. Mrs. Petley, being intensely superstitious, was always -influenced by the appearance of Abbot Raoul whose walking was supposed -to predict bad luck to the Ainsleighs. If the ghost did not appear Mrs. -Petley was happy, but when it did she always prognosticated evil. And -it must be admitted that Rupert usually had more trouble with his -creditors when Abbot Raoul <i>did</i> visit his old haunts. He seemed to -be a most malignant spirit. But Rupert as an educated man, was not -going to admit occult influence.</p> - -<p>"Nonsense Mrs. Petley," said he, shaking her off, "so far as -trouble is concerned, Abbot Raoul might remain visible for ever. -Am I ever out of trouble?"</p> - -<p>"No, that you ain't, worse luck. But this walking means -something extra special as I said to John."</p> - -<p>"Where did you see the old beast, I mean Abbot Raoul of course."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Petley started. "Hush deary," she whispered looking round -in a fearful manner, "don't speak evil of speerits. It may be -round, and you might anger it. I saw it in the cloisters."</p> - -<p>"Near the place?" asked Rupert.</p> - -<p>"Aye, standing on the black square where its mortal body was -burnt poor soul. It was pinting to a tree."</p> - -<p>"To what tree--there are plenty in the cloisters."</p> - -<p>"To the copper beech, as you might say Master Rupert. And angry -enough he looked. I nearly fainted."</p> - -<p>"You should be used to the ghost by this time Mrs. Petley."</p> - -<p>"Ghosts is things custom won't help you with," said Mrs. Petley -mysteriously, "they freeze your blood every time. Just as I was -thinking of a good scream and a faint, it vanished."</p> - -<p>"Into thin air like the witches in Macbeth," said Rupert -lightly. "Well it doesn't need Abbot Raoul to come and tell me -trouble is near. I'm likely to have a good deal by the end of -the year."</p> - -<p>"Oh Master Rupert what is it?" gasped the old woman.</p> - -<p>"Nothing I can tell you at present," said Ainsleigh carelessly, -"I have a good mind to seek Abbot Raoul myself and see if he -can't help me; but I'm not psychic as you are Mrs. Petley. I see -nothing."</p> - -<p>"And a good thing too," said the ex-cook solemnly, "if I spoke -to you it would be to make matters worse, though worse they -can't be."</p> - -<p>"Oh yes they can," said Rupert grimly. "I may have to leave--"</p> - -<p>"Never," cried Mrs. Petley smiting her fat hands together. -"Royabay can never do without an Ainsleigh within its walls."</p> - -<p>"It will have to content itself with Abbot Raoul, and I hope -he'll jolly well frighten the creditors."</p> - -<p>"Drat them," said Mrs. Petley vigorously, "but Master Rupert why -did it pint to the copper beech."</p> - -<p>"I can't say. Ask it when next you see it. But I must go to -Major Tidman. He'll be angry if I keep him."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Petley tossed her head and snorted. "The idear of old -Farmer Tidman's son, being angry with the likes of you Master -Rupert. I mind him when he was a brat of a lad and--"</p> - -<p>"Yes--yes--but I must go," said Ainsleigh rather impatiently and -left Mrs. Petley talking to the air.</p> - -<p>Major Tidman, whose ears must have burnt at the thoughts, which -occupied Mrs. Petley's brain was seated in the most comfortable -arm-chair he could find, and smoked a good cigar. He had a -bottle of port and a glass before him, and apparently had made -himself at home while waiting.</p> - -<p>"Hope you don't mind my making free with the wine-list," said -Tidman, who looked rather uneasy, as he rose. "I've waited two -hours."</p> - -<p>"What about?" said Rupert, throwing his cap down and sinking -wearily into a near chair, "anything wrong?"</p> - -<p>"I am," said the Major, "all wrong my dear boy. You see in me a -beast and a false friend."</p> - -<p>"Indeed. How do you make that out?"</p> - -<p>"I have been concealing things from you," said the Major -ruefully, "and all to make money. I'm really getting avaricious, -Ainsleigh," added the Major desperately, "and it's spoiling my -character."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Rupert filling his pipe, and wondering what this -out-burst meant, "Byron says that avarice is a fine old -gentlemanly vice. If you have only that fault to blame yourself -for, you are very lucky."</p> - -<p>"But I should have told you about the fan."</p> - -<p>Rupert blew out the match he had just lighted and sat up. -"What's that about the fan?" he asked sharply.</p> - -<p>"I know something about it," said Tidman fortifying his courage -with a glass of wine, "and I should have spoken the other -evening after dinner when you read that advertisement. But I -thought I'd get the fan myself and secure the five thousand -pounds--though to be sure I didn't know what that Tung-yu would -pay for it at the time."</p> - -<p>"No," said Rupert drily, "I told you that later. Well, Major, -you haven't treated me quite on the square, but I forgive you. I -expect neither of us will make money out of that fan."</p> - -<p>"No," said Tidman still more ruefully. "Forge has lost it."</p> - -<p>Rupert looked puzzled. "Forge? What do you mean?</p> - -<p>"Oh, this is part of my confession of trickery," said the Major -rubbing his bald head. "You see Ainsleigh, I held my tongue when -you read out about the fan, but I knew where it was all the -time."</p> - -<p>"And where was it?" asked the young man staring.</p> - -<p>"Forge has it--or rather Forge had it," said the Major, and he -related his interview with the doctor when Rupert had departed. -"So you see," added the Major sadly "I'm punished for my -wrong-doing. I'm very sorry, as I like you, Ainsleigh, and after -all I'd be glad to see you make the money, though I'm not so -well off myself as people think, and five thousand pounds would -help me a lot. However, I hope you will think I have made amends -for my momentary lapse from squareness by thus confessing."</p> - -<p>"Oh that's all right Tidman, But treat me openly for the future. -How did you know that Forge had had the fan?"</p> - -<p>Rupert did not tell what he had heard from Olivia for the -moment. He first wished to hear all that the Major had to say. -Tidman had certainly acted wrongly, as he should not have taken -advantage of Rupert's confidence, but now he apparently wished -to behave properly and Ainsleigh put the Major's temporary -deceit out of his mind.</p> - -<p>"I gave Forge the fan," blurted out the Major.</p> - -<p>"The deuce you did," said Ainsleigh looking puzzled. "And where -did you get it?"</p> - -<p>"In Canton seven years ago," confessed Tidman, "I was travelling -there for my health, and I had an adventure."</p> - -<p>"What was that?"</p> - -<p>But Tidman did not seem inclined to speak out. "I'll tell you on -another occasion," he said with a shudder, "it was not a very -pleasant adventure, and Forge, who was in Canton at the time, -got me out of it. I stuck to the fan though."</p> - -<p>"Oh, so the fan was the cause of the adventure?"</p> - -<p>"Partly," admitted Tidman reluctantly. "I'll tell you later as I -say," he wiped his forehead, "I can't tell you now, it's too -awful. I got the fan though and Forge took a fancy to it. He -asked me for it in Canton and I refused. He asked again in -England and I gave it to him. He's had it all these seven years, -locked up in that black japan cabinet with the gold figures--"</p> - -<p>"I know. Its in that Chinese room of his. Well?"</p> - -<p>"After you went away the other day I asked him to give me the -fan back, as I wanted to get the money from Tung-yu. Forge -refused, as he said the fan has something to do with a secret--"</p> - -<p>"Whose secret?"</p> - -<p>"Lo-Keong's secret. He is the real owner of the fan you know. -Forge seems to hate Lo-Keong, and said the fan would get him -into trouble."</p> - -<p>"But how--how?" asked Ainsleigh impatiently.</p> - -<p>The Major wiped his face again, "I don't know--I can't say. But -Forge said there was a secret connected with the fan--"</p> - -<p>"You said that before," cried Rupert becoming exasperated.</p> - -<p>"I don't know what I am saying, and that's the truth," stammered -Tidman becoming hotter and redder, "but Forge said if I found -the secret he would give me the fan. He then opened the cabinet -and found that the fan was gone."</p> - -<p>"What did he say?"</p> - -<p>"He turned as white as a sheet, and said that his life was at -stake."</p> - -<p>Rupert rose to pace the room. The mystery of the fan piqued him, -"I wonder what he meant by that?" he asked himself.</p> - -<p>"Something horrid if it has to do with the Chinese," said the -Major, "you have no idea what brutes they are. But Forge thought -that Mrs. Bressy, the old woman who looks after him, might have -sneaked the fan, as she is fond of taking things and pawning -them. But she swore she had never set eyes on it."</p> - -<p>"Wasn't the cabinet locked?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. That's the strange part, and Forge has the key on his -watch-chain. The lock wasn't broken, and no other key would fit -it, so how it was opened, is a mystery. But the fan's gone."</p> - -<p>"Quite so," said Rupert, facing the Major sharply, "and Miss -Wharf has the very fan you speak of."</p> - -<p>Tidman fell back in his chair and gasped till he was purple in -the face. "Wh--a--a--t," he drawled out. "Sophia Wharf?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Olivia told me, when I explained how I wished to find the -fan and make money. It seems that young Burgh----"</p> - -<p>"A detestable young cad," snapped Tidman.</p> - -<p>"I agree with you. He dares to admire my--to admire Olivia," -said Rupert nearly letting his secret slip out, "and, to gain -her good graces, he offered her this fan. She refused, and he -then presented it to Miss Wharf, who took it and who has it -now."</p> - -<p>"Oh," groaned the Major, "and it's worth five thousand. What -luck some people have."</p> - -<p>Rupert shrugged his shoulders. "The luck will not come our way," -he replied carelessly, "and to tell you the truth I don't much -care. I expect Miss Wharf will sell the fan to Tung-yu."</p> - -<p>"But she doesn't know about his wishing to buy it?"</p> - -<p>"She may have seen the advertisement, and you know Tung-yu is -coming to the ball at the Bristol."</p> - -<p>Major Tidman rose like a jack-in-the-box. "Who says so?" he -asked.</p> - -<p>"Young Walker. Tung-yu is not the keeper of the Whitechapel -Joss-house as I thought. He is a clerk in the firm of Kum-gum-Li."</p> - -<p>"Chris Walker also works for them," interpolated the Major.</p> - -<p>"Certainly, and he is bringing Tung-yu to the ball. I don't know -why, and I don't much care," added Ainsleigh somewhat crossly. -"I am about tired of this fan business. What will you do?"</p> - -<p>Major Tidman buttoned his coat. "I'm going straight to Forge," -he said, "and I shall tell him that young Burgh had the fan. I -know how he got it."</p> - -<p>"Do you, indeed," said Rupert yawning.</p> - -<p>"Yes. Miss Pewsey stole it from the cabinet."</p> - -<p>"Nonsense. Why should she do that?"</p> - -<p>"Because she's always about Forge's house. He told me that he -might marry her--ugh," the Major sneered, "fancy marrying that -old cat."</p> - -<p>"Different people have different tastes," said Ainsleigh coolly, -"but if Forge is going to marry Miss Pewsey all the more reason -she should not steal the fan."</p> - -<p>"But she did," insisted the Major. "I'm sure she stole it and -gave it to that scamp of a nephew so that he might gain Miss -Rayner's goodwill. You see, Miss Pewsey would like to see Burgh -married to Olivia, as she--Miss Pewsey I mean--could then finger -the five hundred a year Miss Wharf will leave her niece."</p> - -<p>"He had better be certain that Olivia will inherit the money -first," said Rupert grimly, thinking of the secret marriage, -"and Miss Pewsey hates Olivia."</p> - -<p>"She hates everyone," said Tidman shrugging his plump shoulders, -"but she hasn't a penny to bless herself with, and when Miss -Wharf dies she will be cast on the world. Even five hundred a -year is a consideration to her, and if her nephew can secure -that by marrying Olivia, why, all the better for Miss Pewsey."</p> - -<p>But Rupert shook his head. "If Miss Pewsey had that scheme in -her head, she would be more friendly with Olivia," he said, "and -she can set her mind at rest: Burgh will not marry Olivia."</p> - -<p>"He's a dangerous rival Ainsleigh."</p> - -<p>"Pooh. I can manage that young man and half a dozen like him. -You don't think I'd give up the girl I love, to anyone, Tidman."</p> - -<p>"No," said the Major, looking at the frank brave face of his -host, "but Burgh is unscrupulous, and will make mischief. -However, perhaps Forge will deal with him for this fan business. -When Forge learns that Miss Pewsey has stolen his fan, he won't -marry her. I'll have the satisfaction of spoiling her plans at -all events."</p> - -<p>"She seems to have a great many plans according to you," yawned -Ainsleigh, "but frankly I think you have found a mare's nest. I -don't believe anything will come of the matter. It's moonshine."</p> - -<p>Tidman marched to the door. "We'll see," said he determinedly. -"I believe trouble is coming to you through young Burgh," and he -departed.</p> - -<p>Rupert left alone lighted his pipe and thought of Mrs. Petley's -fancy concerning the ghost. "If this is the trouble," said he to -himself. "I don't mind. Burgh won't get Olivia unless over my -dead body. As to this fan--pah!"</p> - -<p>But he little knew what disasters the fan would bring to him. -Abbot Raoul's ghost was not walking for nothing.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_06" href="#div1Ref_06">CHAPTER VI</a></h4> -<h5>Burgh's Story</h5> -<br> - -<p>Next morning Major Tidman was seated in his well-furnished room -in the Bristol Hotel. From the window he commanded a fine view -of the mouth of the Thames, of the pier, and of the picturesque -lower town. But the view did not gain the attention of the -Major, worthy as it was of his notice. He seated himself at the -table which was spread for breakfast, and proceeded to make a -good meal. Perhaps he did not eat so well as usual for the Major -was worried, as was evident from the cross expression of his -face. On the previous night he had gone to see Forge, and had -told him how Miss Wharf became possessed of the fan. The doctor -had listened to him quietly, but had refrained from making any -observation, even when Tidman reminded him of his remark, as to -his life being at stake. The interview had on the whole been -unsatisfactory, and Tidman was not at all pleased. He wished to -learn the truth about the fan.</p> - -<p>"There's some secret connected with it," muttered the Major, -while he devoured buttered eggs rapidly, "and that secret means -a lot of money. Five thousand pounds is worth having. I could -buy that plot of waste land near the church and build an hotel -there. I believe it would pay. Then there's Forge's life, which, -as he says, hangs on the fan, though in what way I can't find -out. If I got the fan, I might be able to get something out of -him. I would make Forge and Tung-yu bid against one another, and -perhaps I'd get even more than is offered. Ainsleigh can't say -anything against me now, as I am acting quite square and above -board. He's got no enterprise," thought the little man with some -scorn, "or he'd get Olivia to take the fan from her aunt and -make the money out of it. But if he won't, I will, so I'll see -Miss Wharf to-day and try what I can do. I daresay I'd get it -from her for a five pound note--that is if she hasn't seen the -advertisement. She's keen after money, too--as keen as I am. -Humph," added Tidman, filling himself a second cup of coffee. "I -wonder why Tung-yu was such a fool as to tell Ainsleigh he was -willing to give five thousand. Anyone, not knowing the value of -the fan, would get it cheap. There's a mystery about it, and the -mystery means money. I must get to the bottom of the affair. -Forge is no good, as he is holding his tongue: even when I told -him that Miss Pewsey stole it, he did not seem to mind. But -he'll never marry her after this, so I've spoilt her chance of -marriage, the cat. Though why Forge should marry an old fiend -who is eighty, if she's an hour, I can't make out. But Forge was -always secretive," ended the Major in disgust, and reached for -the <i>paté-de-foi-gras</i>.</p> - -<p>His meal was interrupted by a smart young waiter, who intimated -that a lady and gentleman wished to see the Major. Tidman was -rather surprised at a call being paid at ten o'clock in the -morning: but he was still more surprised, when at the heels of -the waiter appeared Miss Pewsey and Dr. Forge. The latter looked -much his usual self, hungry, dismal, and like a bird of prey: -but Miss Pewsey had a colour in her cheeks and a fire in her -black eyes, which made her look younger. It seemed that her -errand was not a peaceful one.</p> - -<p>"To what am I indebted--?" began the courtly Major, when the -little old maid cut him short with vinegary politeness.</p> - -<p>"Indebted," she said, standing very straight and stiff, and -quite ignoring the chair placed for her. "Oh, indeed,--how very -polite we are. Judas!" she snapped out the word with flaming -eyes. "Oh, Judas!"</p> - -<p>"Really, Miss Pewsey----"</p> - -<p>"You'd like to see me in the dock would you?" cried Miss Pewsey -tossing her head and trembling with wrath, "I'm a thief am I--oh -you military fat Judas."</p> - -<p>"Did you come here to insult me?" asked Tidman growing purple.</p> - -<p>"If you put it in that way I did," sniffed the lady, "and also -to ask plainly, what you meant by stating to my promised husband -here, that I stole a fan from his cabinet?"</p> - -<p>Tidman changed from purple to scarlet. He had not reckoned on -the doctor speaking to Miss Pewsey, and he turned a look of -reproach on his friend. The doctor immediately took up the -challenge, "I see you think I have been too free with my -tongue," said he deliberately, "it is not my custom as you know. -But I told you Major that I was engaged to Miss Pewsey, and I -thought it only right that she should know the aspersions you -have cast on her character."</p> - -<p>"A character," cried the lady, "which has stood the test of -years and which stands deservedly high. I am a Pewsey of Essex," -she added as though the whole county belonged to her, "and never -before have I been accused of thieving--Judas," she shot out the -name again, and the Major quailed. He saw that he was in the -wrong, owing to Forge's betrayal, and had to make the best of -it.</p> - -<p>"I am extremely sorry," he said apologetically, "quite a -mistake."</p> - -<p>"Oh, indeed. A jury will give their opinion on that," sniffed -the maiden.</p> - -<p>"No! No I beg of you----"</p> - -<p>"The damages will be laid at five thousand pounds."</p> - -<p>"The price of the fan," said Tidman starting.</p> - -<p>"What do you mean by that?" asked Miss Pewsey, her eyes -glittering.</p> - -<p>"I mean, just nothing."</p> - -<p>"Oh yes, you do. Make a clean breast of it Benjamin Tidman. Oh, -to think that the son of a farmer, who was almost a labourer, -should dare to speak evil of a Pewsey of Essex. But the law--the -law," said the irate lady shaking a thin finger, "and five -thousand pounds."</p> - -<p>"Get it out of the fan."</p> - -<p>"Is it worth that?" asked Forge coldly.</p> - -<p>"You heard what young Ainsleigh said," answered Tidman as -coldly.</p> - -<p>"Yes I remember; but we have not come about the price, but about -your libel on this lady."</p> - -<p>"I apologise," said Tidman, seeing nothing else was to be done.</p> - -<p>"Apology isn't money," snapped Miss Pewsey.</p> - -<p>"Oh, if you want money, again I refer you to the fan."</p> - -<p>The Major was getting angry. He didn't very much care if Miss -Pewsey did bring an action at the moment, though with saner -thoughts he would have been horrified at the idea. "I -apologise," said he again, "but I was misled by Dr. Forge."</p> - -<p>"How were you misled by me?" demanded Forge impassively.</p> - -<p>"You said you had the fan in your cabinet, and that it had been -stolen. Mrs. Bressy swore she did not take it, and I thought--"</p> - -<p>"That I was the thief," cried Miss Pewsey shrilly, "oh how clever -of you--how very, very clever. You thought that I got the key from the -watch-chain of Dr. Forge where he always carries it, to open the -cabinet and steal a fan, I knew nothing about it. I never even knew of -the existence of the fan--there Judas," snapped the lady once more.</p> - -<p>"Then I was mistaken, and Dr. Forge was mistaken also."</p> - -<p>"I confess that I did make a mistake," said the doctor with a -sad face, "but that does not excuse your libelling the lady I -hope to call my wife. My memory is not so good as it was, and I -fear that the drugs I take to induce sleep have impaired what -memory I have left. I suffer from neuralgia," added the doctor -turning to Miss Pewsey, "and in China I contracted the habit of -opium smoking, so--"</p> - -<p>"Marriage will put that right," said the lady patting his hand. -"I do not expect a perfect husband--"</p> - -<p>"I never knew you expected a husband at all," said Tidman -injudiciously.</p> - -<p>"Ho," cried Miss Pewsey drawing herself up. She had been -standing all the time, "another libel. I call Dr. Forge to -witness it."</p> - -<p>"I really think Tidman you'd better hold your tongue," said the -doctor gently, "but I must explain, that I quite forgot that I -had parted with the fan. Yes. I received it from you, seven -years ago when I brought you home after that adventure in -Canton. Two years later I returned to China, to see Lo-Keong on -business, and I took the fan with me. He received it."</p> - -<p>"No," said the Major shaking his bald head, "I can't believe -that, Forge. You declared that you hated Lo-Keong and that the -fan would harm you and him also."</p> - -<p>"I do hate the man," cried Forge looking more like a bird of -prey than ever, "but I got a concession about a gold mine, by -giving back the fan. I wanted the money more than Lo-Keong's -life. As to my own life, it was in danger from the enemies of -the Mandarin, who want the fan to ruin him. That was why I spoke -as I did. Are you satisfied?"</p> - -<p>"Not quite," said Tidman who was puzzled, "how did the fan come -to England again?"</p> - -<p>"My nephew Mr. Burgh will tell you that," said Miss Pewsey, -"when he has administered the beating I have asked him to -inflict."</p> - -<p>"Beating," shouted the Major snatching a knife from the -breakfast table, "let that young whelp dare to hint such a -thing, and I'll kick him round Marport."</p> - -<p>"Clarence is not the man to be kicked."</p> - -<p>"Nor am I the man to be beaten, I have apologised and that is -quite enough. If you are not satisfied Miss Pewsey, you can -bring your action and I'll defend it. Beating indeed," snorted -Tidman, "I'd like to see anyone who would dare to lay a hand on -me," and he looked very fierce as he spoke.</p> - -<p>"Very good," said Miss Pewsey in a stately manner, "if you will -tell me all about the fan, I shall ask Clarence to spare you the -beating."</p> - -<p>"Clarence can go to--" the Major mentioned a place which made -Miss Pewsey shriek and clap her fingers to her ears. "I am not -the least afraid of that cad and bounder--that--that----"</p> - -<p>"Libel again Major Tidman."</p> - -<p>"Pooh--Pooh," said Forge rising, "let us go Lavinia."</p> - -<p>"Not till I hear about the fan. For the sake of my dear Sophia -who has the fan, I want to hear."</p> - -<p>"All I know, is, that the fan was advertised for----"</p> - -<p>"I saw the advertisement," said Miss Pewsey, "but I said nothing to -dear Sophia, although I recognized the fan from the description in -the newspaper. She never looks at the papers, and trusts to me to tell -her the news."</p> - -<p>"So you kept from her a piece of news out of which she could -make five thousand pounds."</p> - -<p>"Really and truly," said Miss Pewsey clutching her bag -convulsively and with glittering eyes, "who says so--who pays -it--who--?"</p> - -<p>"One question at a time," interrupted Tidman, now quite master -of himself. "Tung-yu, the man Ainsleigh saw at the Joss House in -Perry Street Whitechapel, offered five thousand pounds for the -return of the fan. Ainsleigh saw the advertisement and--"</p> - -<p>"I know how he came to inquire about the fan," said Miss Pewsey, -"Dr. Forge told me, but I did not know the amount offered."</p> - -<p>"Will you tell Miss Wharf now."</p> - -<p>"No," said Miss Pewsey very decisively, "nor will any one else. -My Sophia's health is delicate and if she had a shock like that -inflicted on her, she would die."</p> - -<p>"What the offer of five thousand pounds--"</p> - -<p>"The chance of being killed," said Miss Pewsey, "but I will -leave my nephew Mr. Burgh to explain that Major Tidman. I accept -your apology for thinking me a--but no," cried the lady, "I -can't bring myself to pronounce the nasty word. I am a Pewsey of -Essex. All is said in that, I think. Good morning, Major. My -abstinence from bringing an action lies in the fact, that you -will refrain from unsettling my Sophia's mind by telling about -the fan. Good-morning. My Theophilus will we not go?"</p> - -<p>Before the Major could recover from the bewilderment into which -he was thrown by this torrent of words, Miss Pewsey taking the -arm of the melancholy doctor had left the room. When alone -Tidman scratched his chin and swore. "There's something in -this," he soliloquised. "I believe the old woman wants to get -the money herself. By George, I'll keep my eyes on her," and the -Major shook his fist at the door, through which the fairy form -of Miss Pewsey had just vanished.</p> - -<p>Later in the day Tidman dressed to perfection, walked up the -town twirling his stick, and beaming on every pretty woman he -came across. The stout old boy was not at all appalled by the -threat of Miss Pewsey regarding her buccaneering nephew's -attentions. When he saw the gentleman in question bearing down -on him, he simply stopped and grasped his stick more firmly. If -there was to be a fight, the Major resolved to have the first -blow. But Burgh did not seem ready to make a dash. He sauntered -up to Tidman and looked at him smilingly, "Well met old pard," -said he in his slangy fashion.</p> - -<p>"My name to you, is Major Tidman," said the old fellow coolly.</p> - -<p>"I guess I know that much. Can't we go a stretch along the lower -part of the town?"</p> - -<p>"If there's any row to come off," said the Major, keeping a wary -eye on the young man. "I prefer it to take place here. On guard -sir--on guard."</p> - -<p>Clarence shrugged his shoulders and produced a cigarette. "Oh -that's all right," said he striking a match. "I guess my old -aunt's been at you. I'm not going in for any row--not me."</p> - -<p>"Just as well for you," said the Major sharply, "how dare you -threaten me, you--you--"</p> - -<p>"Now I ask you," said Clarence, "if I have threatened you? Go -slow. I guess the old girl's been piling on the agony. She's got -old Forge to fight her battles. When I make trouble," added -Clarence musingly, "it will be for a pretty girl like Olivia."</p> - -<p>"You can have your desire for a row by telling that to young -Ainsleigh."</p> - -<p>"Huh," said Burgh with contempt, "I guess I'd lay him out pretty -smart. I tell you, Major, I'm dead gone on that girl: but she -treats me like a lump of mud."</p> - -<p>"And quite right too," said Tidman coolly, "you aren't worthy of -her. Now Ainsleigh is."</p> - -<p>Clarence pitched away his cigarette with an irritable gesture. -"Don't get me riz," said he darkly, "or I'll make the hair fly -with Ainsleigh."</p> - -<p>"Pooh. He's quite able to look after himself."</p> - -<p>"Can he shoot?" demanded the buccaneer.</p> - -<p>"Yes. And use his fists, and fence, and lay you out properly. -Confound you, sir, don't you think I've travelled also. I've -been in the Naked Lands in my time, and have seen your sort -growing on the banana plants. You're the sort to get lynched."</p> - -<p>"Oh, tie it up," said Burgh with sudden anger, for these remarks -were not to his mind. "I want to tell you about the fan."</p> - -<p>"Why do you want to talk of that?" asked Tidman with suspicion, -"I don't care a straw for the fan."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I reckon you do, Major. But you're well out of it. If you'd -kept that fan there would have been trouble--yes, you may look, -but if you'd held on to that article you'd have been a corpse by -now."</p> - -<p>Tidman sneered, not at all terrified by these vague threats. -"What do you mean by this drivel?"</p> - -<p>"Let's come to anchor here," said Clarence pulling up beside a -seat in a secluded part, near the old town beach. "I'll spin the -yarn."</p> - -<p>"About the fan," said the Major sitting promptly. "I confess I -am curious to know how it came to England again, after Forge -took it again to the Far East. Didn't he give it to Lo-Keong?"</p> - -<p>"So he says," said Clarence with a side-long look at his -companion. "I don't know myself. All I know is, that I got it -from a pirate."</p> - -<p>"From a pirate?"</p> - -<p>"That's so. I was in Chinese waters a year or so ago, and I -reckon pirates swarm in those parts--"</p> - -<p>Tidman shivered. "Yes," he admitted, "I had an adventure myself -in Canton with a pirate of sorts."</p> - -<p>"Old Forge told me something about it," said Clarence lighting a -fresh cigarette, "but my yarn's different. I was out with some -of the boys in Chinese water, and a pirate tried to board us. We -were down Borneo way, looking out for a ruby mine said to be in -those parts. My pals--there were two of them, and myself -engineering the job--hired a boat and cut across to Borneo. The -pirates tried to slit our throats and our Chinese crew tried to -help them. But we used our Winchesters and six shooters freely, -and shot a heap. The pirates cleared off and we brought our -barky into port safe enough."</p> - -<p>"But about the fan?"</p> - -<p>"I'm coming to that. The Boss pirate was shot by me--a big six -foot Northern Chinee, got up, to kill, like a tin god. He had -this jade fan, and directed operations with it. When his pals -cleared I found him as dead as a coffin and nailed the fan. It -was pretty enough, but didn't appeal to me much. I clapped it -away in my box, and when I reached England I offered it to Aunt -Lavinia. She wants me to marry Miss Rayner, and said I should -offer it to her, and cut out that aristocratic Ainsleigh chap. -Olivia--ripping name, ain't it--well, she didn't catch on, so I -thought I'd gain the goodwill of old Miss Wharf, and passed it -along to her."</p> - -<p>The Major listened in silence to this story, which seemed -reasonable enough. "Strange it should have come back to England, -and to a small place like this, where Forge had it," he mused. -"A coincidence I suppose. By the way did you see the advertisement?" -he asked.</p> - -<p>"You bet I did, and it made me sick to think I'd parted with the -fan. Leastways, it made me sick till I saw Hwei!"</p> - -<p>"You mean Tung-yu."</p> - -<p>"No, I don't. I mean the Chinee as calls himself Hwei, who put -that advertisement in every newspaper in London, and the United -Kingdom."</p> - -<p>"What, in everyone?" said the Major, "must have cost----"</p> - -<p>"A heap you bet. Major. Well I struck Hwei--"</p> - -<p>"That's the name of a river, man."</p> - -<p>"Maybe: but it's what this celestial calls himself. I struck him -near the Mansion House, and knew him of old in Pekin I reckon, -where we chin-chined over some contraband biznai. I spoke to him -in Chinese--I know enough to get along on--and he told me he had -come to this country about Lo-Keong's fan. I never said I'd got -it, though by that time I'd seen the advertisement. I know -Chinamen too well, to give myself away in that fashion. I pumped -him, and learned that Hwei intended to scrag the chap who held -the fan, so I concluded to lie low."</p> - -<p>"But he offered wealth to whomsoever gave it up."</p> - -<p>"Maybe. I don't know exactly how the thing figures out. I guess -Hwei does the killing, and Tung-yu the rewarding. But you can -take it from me, Major, that unless Miss Wharf gets rid of that -fan she'll have her throat cut. So I guess, you must be glad you -didn't handle the biznai," and Clarence puffed a serene cloud of -smoke.</p> - -<p>"It's more of a mystery than ever," said the Major. And so it -was.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_07" href="#div1Ref_07">CHAPTER VII</a></h4> -<h5>The Warning</h5> -<br> - -<p>The idea that the end of the year would see him ruined and -homeless was terrible to Rupert. Even if his home had been an -ordinary house, he would have been anxious; but when he thought -of the venerable mansion, of the few acres remaining, of the -once vast Ainsleigh estates, of the ruins of the Abbey which he -loved, his heart was wrung with anguish. How could he let these -things depart from him, for ever? Yet he saw no way out of the -matter, although he had frequent consultations with his lawyers. -One day, shortly before the ball at the Bristol, he returned -from town with a melancholy face. Old Petley ventured to follow -his young master into the library, and found him with his face -covered with his hands, in deep despair.</p> - -<p>"Don't take on so. Master Rupert," said the old butler, gently, -"things have not yet come to the worst."</p> - -<p>"They are about as bad as they can be, John," replied Ainsleigh. -"I have seen Mr. Thorp. It will take thirty thousand pounds to -put matters right. And where am I to get it? Oh," the young man -started up and walked to and fro, "why didn't I go into the law, -or take to some profession where I might make money? Forge was -my guardian, he should have seen to it."</p> - -<p>"Master Rupert," said the old butler, "do you think that -gentleman is your friend?"</p> - -<p>"What makes you think he isn't, John?"</p> - -<p>Petley pinched his chin between a shaky finger and thumb. "He -don't seem like a friend," said he in his quavering voice. "He -didn't tell you or me. Master Rupert, how bad things were. When -you was at college he should have told you, and then you might -have learned some way of getting money."</p> - -<p>"My father trusted him, John. He was appointed my guardian by -the will my father made before he left for China."</p> - -<p>"And Dr. Forge went with the master to China," said the old man, -"how did the master die?"</p> - -<p>"Of dysentery, so Dr. Forge says."</p> - -<p>"And others say he was murdered."</p> - -<p>"Who says so, John?"</p> - -<p>"Well sir, that Mandarin gentleman sent your father's papers and -luggage back here when your mother was alive. A Chinaman brought -the things. He hinted that all was not right, and afterwards the -mistress died. She believed your father was murdered."</p> - -<p>Rupert looked pensive. He had heard something of this, but the -story had been so vague, and was so vague as John told it, that -he did not believe in it much. "Does Dr. Forge know the truth?" -he asked.</p> - -<p>"He ought to, sir. Dr. Forge came from China with a report of -this gold mine up in Kan-su, and your father was all on fire to -go there and make money. The mistress implored him not to go but -he would. He went with Dr. Forge, and never returned. The -doctor, I know, says that the master died of dysentery, when the -doctor himself was at Pekin. But I never liked that Forge," -cried the old servant vehemently, "and I believe there's -something black about the business."</p> - -<p>"But why should Forge be an enemy of my father's?"</p> - -<p>"Ah sir," Petley shook his old head, "I can't rightly say. Those -two were at college together and fast friends; but I never liked -Forge. No, sir, not if I was killed for it would I ever like -that gentleman, though it's not for a person in my position to -speak so. I asked the doctor again and again to let me know how -bad things were, when you were at school, Master Rupert, but he -told me to mind my own business. As if it wasn't my business to -see after the family I'd been bred up in, since fifteen years of -age."</p> - -<p>"I'll have a talk with Dr. Forge," said Rupert after a pause, -"if there is any question of my father having been murdered, -I'll see if he knows," he turned and looked on the old man -quickly. "You don't suppose John that if there was a murder, -he--"</p> - -<p>"No! no!" cried Petley hurriedly, "I don't say he had to do with -it. But that Mandarin--"</p> - -<p>"Lo-Keong. Why Forge hates him."</p> - -<p>"So he says. But this Mandarin, as I've heard from the Major, is -high in favour with the Chinaman's court. If the doctor was his -enemy, he could not go so often to China as he does. And since -your father's death fifteen years ago, he's been back several -times."</p> - -<p>"Well I'll speak to him, John."</p> - -<p>"And about the money, sir?"</p> - -<p>Rupert sat down again. "I don't know what to do," he groaned. "I -can manage to stave off many of the creditors, but if Miss Wharf -forecloses the mortgage at Christmas everyone will come down -with a rush and I'll have to give up Royabay to the creditors."</p> - -<p>"Never--never--that will never be," said John fiercely, "why the -place has been under the Ainsleighs for over three hundred -years."</p> - -<p>"I don't think that matters to the creditors," said Rupert -wincing, "if I could only raise this thirty-thousand and get the -land clear I would be able to live fairly well. There wouldn't -be much; still I could keep the Abbey and we could live -quietly."</p> - -<p>"We sir?" asked the old man raising his head.</p> - -<p>Rupert flushed, seeing he had made a slip. He did not want to -tell the old man that he was married, as he was fearful lest the -news should come to Miss Wharf's ears and render his wife's -position with that lady unbearable. "I might get married you -know," he said in an evasive way.</p> - -<p>"Lord, sir," cried Petley in terror, "whatever you do, don't -cumber yourself with a wife, till you put things straight."</p> - -<p>"Heaven only knows how I am to put them straight," sighed -Rupert. "I say, John, send me in some tea. I'm quite weary. -Thorp is coming to see me next week and we'll have a talk."</p> - -<p>"With Dr. Forge I hope," said old John, as he withdrew.</p> - -<p>Ainsleigh frowned, when the door closed. Petley certainly seemed -possessed by the idea that Forge was an enemy of the Ainsleighs, -yet Rupert could think of no reason why he should be. He had -been an excellent guardian to the boy, and if he had not told -him the full extent of the ruin till it was too late to prevent -it, he might have done so out of pity, so that the lad's young -years might be unclouded. "Still it would have been better had -he been less tender of my feelings and more considerate for my -position," thought Rupert as he paced the long room.</p> - -<p>While he was sadly looking out of the window and thinking of the -wrench it would be to leave the old place, he saw a tall woman -walking up the avenue. The eyes of love are keen, and Rupert -with a thrill of joy recognised the stately gait of Olivia. With -an ejaculation of delight, he ran out, nearly upsetting Mrs. -Petley who was coming into the Library with a dainty tea. -Disregarding her exclamation of astonishment, Rupert sprang out -of the door and down the steps. He met Olivia half way near the -ruins of the Abbey. "My dearest," he said stretching out both -hands, "how good of you to come!" Olivia, who looked pale, -allowed him to take her hands passively. "I want to speak to -you," she said quickly, "come into the Abbey," and she drew him -towards the ruins.</p> - -<p>"No! No," said her husband, "enter your own house and have a cup -of tea. It is just ready and will do you good."</p> - -<p>"Not just now, Rupert," she replied, laying a detaining hand on -his arm. "I can wait only for a quarter of an hour. I must get -back."</p> - -<p>Rupert grumbled at the short time, but, resolved to make the -most of it, he walked with her into the cloisters. These were -small but the ruins were very beautiful. Rows of delicately -carved pillars surrounded a grassy sward. At the far end were -the ruins of the church stretching into the pines. The roofless -fane looked venerable even in the bright sunshine. The walls -were overgrown with ivy, and some of the images over the door, -still remained, though much defaced by Time. The windows were -without the painted glass which had once filled them, but were -rich with elaborate stone work. This was especially fine in the -round window over the altar. As in the cloisters, the body of -the church was overgrown with grass and some of the pillars had -fallen. The lovers did not venture into the ruined church itself -but walked round the pavement of the cloisters under the arches. -Doubtless in days of old, many a venerable father walked on that -paved way. But the monks were gone, the shrine was in ruins, and -these lovers of a younger generation paced the quiet cloisters -talking of love.</p> - -<p>"My darling," said the young husband fondly, "how pale you are. -I hope nothing is wrong."</p> - -<p>"My aunt is ill. Oh it's nothing--only a feverish cold. She -hopes to be well enough to attend the ball to-morrow night."</p> - -<p>"I did not hear of it," said Rupert, "though Tidman generally -tells me the news. I have been in London for the last few days."</p> - -<p>"So I see," said Olivia, and glanced at her fair stalwart -husband in his frock coat and smart Bond street kit, "how well -you look."</p> - -<p>Rupert appreciated the compliment and taking her hands kissed -both several times. Olivia bent forward and pressed a kiss on -his smooth hair. Then she withdrew her hands. "We must talk -sense," she said severely.</p> - -<p>"Oh," said Rupert making a wry face, "not about your aunt?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. I can't understand her. She has shut herself up in her -room and refuses to see me. She will admit no one but Miss -Pewsey."</p> - -<p>Ainsleigh shrugged his shoulders. "What does it matter," he -said, "you know Miss Wharf never liked you. You are much too -handsome, my own. And that is the reason also, for Miss Pewsey's -dislike."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Miss Pewsey is more amiable," said Olivia, "indeed I never -knew her to be so amiable. She is always chatting to me at such -times as she can be spared from my aunt's room."</p> - -<p>"Well, what is worrying you?"</p> - -<p>"This exclusion from Aunt Sophia's room," said Olivia with tears -of vexation in her dark eyes. "I am her only relative--or at all -events I am her nearest. It seems hard that she should exclude -me, and admit Miss Pewsey who is only a paid companion."</p> - -<p>"I don't think it matters a bit," said Rupert, "hasn't your aunt -seen anyone lately?"</p> - -<p>"No,--yes, by the way. She has seen her lawyer several times."</p> - -<p>"I expect she is altering her will."</p> - -<p>Olivia laughed. "She threatens to do so in favour of Miss -Pewsey, unless by the end of the month I give you up, and engage -myself either to Mr. Walker or to Mr. Burgh."</p> - -<p>Rupert grew very angry. "What a detestable woman," he exclaimed. -"I beg your pardon, dear, I forgot she's your aunt. But what -right has she to order you about like this? You are of age."</p> - -<p>"And I am married, though she doesn't know it. But I'll tell you -the real reason, I am vexed I can't see my aunt. Can't we sit -down?"</p> - -<p>"Over there," said Ainsleigh, pointing to a secluded seat.</p> - -<p>It was placed at the far end of the cloisters under a large oak. -There were four oaks here, or to be more correct, three oaks and -the stump of one. "That was destroyed by lightning when I was -born," said Rupert, seeing Olivia's eyes fixed on this. "Mrs. -Petley saw in it an omen that I would be unlucky. But am I?" and -he fell to kissing his wife's hands again.</p> - -<p>"Really, Rupert, you must be more sensible," she said, in -pretended vexation. "What a pretty tree that copper-beech is."</p> - -<p>"Yes! But do you see the blackened square?"</p> - -<p>"It is not so very black," said Mrs. Ainsleigh, pausing to dig -the point of her umbrella into the ground, "there's hardly any -grass on it, and the earth is dark and hard. Curious it should -be so, seeing the grass is thick and green all round, I suppose -this is where Abbot Raoul was burnt."</p> - -<p>"Yes. I've told you the story and shown you the spot many -times," said Rupert, slipping his arm round her waist.</p> - -<p>"Dearest," she whispered, "I was too much in love, to hear what -you said on that point. And remember, all my visits to the Abbey -have been secret ones. My aunt would be furious did she know -that I had been here, and I often wonder that Pewsey, who is -always watching me, has not followed me here."</p> - -<p>"If she does I'll duck her in the pond for a witch," said -Rupert, and drew his wife to the seat under the oak, "well, go -on."</p> - -<p>"About my aunt. Oh, it's what Major Tidman told me. He's been -trying to see Aunt Sophia also. Have you heard what Mr. Burgh -told the Major about that horrid fan?"</p> - -<p>"No. You forget, I have just returned from town. What is it?"</p> - -<p>Olivia related to Rupert the story which Clarence had told the -Major. "So you see," she ended, "this man Hwei wants to kill any -one who has the fan, and Tung-yu desires to reward the person -who brings it back."</p> - -<p>"It seems contradictory," said Ainsleigh thoughtfully, "and if -Hwei put in the advertisement it is strange that Tung-yu should -have received me in the Joss-house mentioned in the paper. -Well?"</p> - -<p>"Well," said Olivia rather vexed, "can't you see. I want my aunt -to know that she is in danger and get rid of that horrid fan."</p> - -<p>"Pooh," said her husband laughing, "there's no danger. Hwei -can't kill an old lady like that for the sake of a fan she would -probably sell for five shillings."</p> - -<p>"She wouldn't," said Olivia with conviction. "Aunt Sophia has -taken quite a fancy to that fan. But she ought to be told how -dangerous it is, Rupert."</p> - -<p>"Or how lucky," said Ainsleigh, "let her sell the fan to Tung-yu -for five thousand pounds and then she can let Hwei kill -Tung-yu."</p> - -<p>"But would he do so."</p> - -<p>"I can't say. On the face of it, it looks as though these two -were working against one another, seeing they propose to reward -the owner of the fan in such different ways. Yet Hwei, according -to Burgh, put the advertisement in and Tung-yu received me. I -don't understand."</p> - -<p>"Well, don't you think I should tell the whole story to my -aunt?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Go in and see her."</p> - -<p>"Miss Pewsey won't let me, and my aunt refuses to admit me. I -sent in a note the other day saying that I wished to speak very -particularly, and she sent out another note to say that she -would not see anyone till she was well. The note was kind enough -in Aunt Sophia's cold way, but you see----"</p> - -<p>"Yes! Yes! Well then let Tidman see her."</p> - -<p>"Rupert, how annoying you are. She won't see anyone but -Miss----"</p> - -<p>"Miss Pewsey. Well then, tell her the story, and she can repeat -it to your aunt. Though, by the way," added Ainsleigh, "Burgh -may have told Miss Pewsey about it already."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Olivia, her face brightening, and rising to go away, -"but I'll ask Miss Pewsey to tell Aunt Sophia herself."</p> - -<p>As they walked towards the ruined entrance, Mrs. Petley's bulky -form appeared in the archway. She threw up her hands. "Sakes -alive, Master Rupert, come off Abbot Raoul's burning-place."</p> - -<p>Ainsleigh, who was standing on the square of blackened ground, -obeyed at once, and drew Olivia away also. "I forgot," he -murmured.</p> - -<p>"Forgot what?" asked Olivia.</p> - -<p>"Why miss," said the old housekeeper, "don't you know it's said -that if an Ainsleigh stands there, some trouble will befall him -before the year's end, You're not an Ainsleigh miss, but Master -Rupert--well there--oh sir, how can you be so foolish. The tea's -ready sir," and Mrs. Petley, with this prosaic ending trotted -away.</p> - -<p>"She doesn't know that you are an Ainsleigh," said Rupert kissing his -wife, "pah. Don't think of that foolish superstition. Come to--"</p> - -<p>"No, Rupert," said Olivia, planting herself firmly against the -wall, "you know I said a quarter of an hour. It's half an hour -we have been talking. I must get back."</p> - -<p>The young husband urged, implored, scolded, cajoled, but all to -no effect. Olivia made up her mind to go, and go she did, Rupert -escorting her to the gates. "You are very unkind," he said.</p> - -<p>"I am very sensible," she replied, "I don't want to disturb my -new relations with Miss Pewsey. She has such power over my aunt -that it is necessary I should keep on good terms with her. Now, -Rupert, you must not come any further."</p> - -<p>"Just along the road."</p> - -<p>"Certainly not. All the gossips of Marport would talk. Good-bye. -I won't be kissed again. Someone may be looking."</p> - -<p>Ainsleigh muttered a blessing on anyone who might be about, and -shook hands with his wife just as though they were strangers. -Then he remained at the gate till she turned the corner. There, -she looked back and Rupert threw her a kiss. Olivia shook a -furious sunshade at him for the indiscretion.</p> - -<p>"The silly boy," she said to herself as she went along, "if -anyone saw him, there would be a fine story all over Marport."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_08" href="#div1Ref_08">CHAPTER VIII</a></h4> -<h5>The Beginning of the Ball</h5> -<br> - -<p>So this was the position of affairs immediately before the ball -given by the Glorious Golfers at the Bristol Hotel. Miss Wharf -possessed the fan, and two Chinamen were searching for it. Hwei -intended to secure it by murder, and Tung-yu by the milder means -of honourable purchase: but why the two, with such contradictory -intentions, should work in unison, as appeared from the -advertisement, Rupert could not understand. However, he had so -much trouble himself that he dismissed the matter from his mind.</p> - -<p>There was little chance of his benefiting by money from the one -Chinaman, or of being murdered by the other. And he presumed -that Olivia would instruct Miss Pewsey to tell Miss Wharf about -the fan, even if she did not see her personally. And while Miss -Wharf was ill and safe in her house, Hwei could not get at her -in any way. Moreover, as Burgh in his interview with Hwei near -the Mansion House, had held his tongue, the man would not know -where the fan was.</p> - -<p>The ball was the best of the Marport season, as the Glorious -Golfers were a body of young men with plenty of money and a -great love of amusement.</p> - -<p>The vast apartments of the Bristol were thrown open, and decked -with flowers; an Irish Band,--The Paddies,--was engaged from -London, and many people came down from the great city to be -present. It was a perfect night when the ball was held, and the -terrace on the first floor of the hotel, or to speak more -properly the balcony, was thronged with people. It looked very -pretty, as it was filled with tropical ferns and plants and -trees, illuminated with Chinese lanterns and made comfortable -with numerous arm chairs, and plenty of small marble-topped -tables. Between the dances, people finding the rooms too warm, -came out to walk in the night air. There was no moon, but the -night was starry and warm, and a soft luminous light was -reflected on sea and land. Standing under the great fern-trees -and amidst the fairy lights, the guests could survey with -pleasure the vast waste of water stretching towards the clear -horizon, and see the long pier glittering with innumerable -lights. Needless to say, the terrace was much frequented by -amorous couples.</p> - -<p>Within, the ball-room, gay with flowers and draperies, with a -waxed floor and many electric light in coloured globes, looked -very pretty. The band was hidden behind a lofty floral screen, -and played the latest seductive waltzes, interspersed with -inspiriting barn-dances and quaint cake-walks. The women were -lovely, and the dresses perfect, so the young men enjoyed -themselves not a little. Rupert was present, looking handsome in -his evening dress, but rather flushed and anxious. He was not -sure if Miss Wharf would come, in which case Olivia would not be -present. And, if the old maid did recover sufficiently to make -her appearance, she would perhaps refuse to allow him to dance -with the girl.</p> - -<p>However Miss Wharf did appear though at a somewhat late hour. -She was gowned in pale blue and looked very handsome, if -somewhat stout. Olivia's dark beauty revealed itself in a -primrose-hued dress, and Miss Pewsey looked more like a witch -than ever in a black frock glittering with jet. This was the -gift of Miss Wharf, as poor Miss Pewsey would never have been -able to indulge in such extravagance. At the back and in -attendance on the Ivy Lodge party, were Clarence Burgh and Dr. -Forge. The buccaneer looked picturesque and dashing as usual and -was dressed very quietly for one of his flamboyant tastes, -though he showed to disadvantage beside the perfection of -Rupert's garb. Forge wore a suit which might have been made for -his grandfather, and which fitted his lank form ill. The doctor -looked less his cool self, than was usually the case. His -parchment face was flushed and his melancholy eyes glittered as -they roved round the brilliant room. Rupert wondered if he was -looking for Tung-yu, and glanced round the room himself to see -if the Chinaman had arrived in Chris Walker's company. But he -could not perceive him.</p> - -<p>Putting his fortune to the test, and having come to no open -rupture with the lady, Rupert boldly walked up to Miss Wharf and -offered his hand. She gave him rather a peculiar look and -coloured a little. But to his secret satisfaction she received -him very kindly. Olivia took her husband's greeting with a quiet -smile, rather cold, as she knew well Miss Pewsey was watching -her face. As to that lady, she hovered round the group like an -ugly old fairy, about to weave the spell.</p> - -<p>"And where is the Major?" asked Miss Pewsey in her emphatic way, -"surely he is present on this occasion."</p> - -<p>"I am sorry to say that the Major is laid up with a bad cold," -said Rupert. "I have just been to see him. He is not coming."</p> - -<p>"A cold spoils his beauty," tittered Miss Pewsey, "dear me, how -very vain that man is."</p> - -<p>"A cold has not spoilt Miss Wharf's beauty at all events," said -Ainsleigh, seeing his way to a compliment. "I never saw you look -so well," he added with a bow.</p> - -<p>"Thanks to Lavinia's nursing," laughed the lady. "Olivia can you -keep still while that delicious music is playing. I'm sure Mr. -Burgh--"</p> - -<p>"I think Miss Rayner is engaged to me," put in Rupert promptly.</p> - -<p>Miss Wharf tapped him on the shoulder with the very fan, about -which there had been so much talk. "No I can't spare you," she -said amiably. "I want to chat with you. Olivia?"</p> - -<p>The girl exchanged a look with her husband and saw that his eyes -were fastened on the fan. Resolved to give him a chance of -talking to her aunt about it, she moved away on the arm of the -buccaneer to join in the whirling throng. Forge offered his arm -to Miss Pewsey, not to dance, but to escort her on to the -terrace, and so it came about that aunt Sophia and Rupert were -left alone in a quiet corner of the room.</p> - -<p>Miss Wharf cast a side glance at the young man and seeing how -handsome and gay he was, she heaved a sigh. Perhaps she was -thinking of his father whom she had loved dearly, but if so, the -emotion was only momentary, for she compressed her lips and drew -herself up stiffly. "Mr. Ainsleigh," she said, "you never come -to see me now. How is that?"</p> - -<p>"I thought you did not wish to see me," said Rupert frankly.</p> - -<p>"Oh yes I do. Your father was an old friend of mine, and for his -sake I wish to be kind to you."</p> - -<p>Rupert saw that she was unaware that he had met Olivia secretly, -and had heard the story of the early romance. It was not wise, -he thought, to bring up the subject, so he met her on her own -ground. "You can be very kind to me if you wish," he said -casting a significant glance on Olivia who floated past with -Burgh.</p> - -<p>Miss Wharf followed his gaze and frowned, shaking her head. -"No," she said severely, "you must give up the idea of marrying -Olivia."</p> - -<p>"I can't do that," replied Rupert, thinking of his secret -marriage, "and I don't see why you should refuse to let me love -her."</p> - -<p>"I can't prevent that," snapped Miss Wharf, "love her as much as -you choose, but as another man's wife," and again she looked -oddly at Rupert, who wondered what she meant.</p> - -<p>"What an immoral remark," he said, "perhaps you will explain."</p> - -<p>"Mr. Ainsliegh I will be frank with you," said the lady calmly, -"you have no money, and are liable to lose Royabay. I hold a -mortgage it is true and by the end of the year I can foreclose; -but that, I shall not do if you give up Olivia. If I foreclose, -you know well enough that your other creditors will come down on -you, and you will lose all. I hold the scales," added she -significantly.</p> - -<p>"I see that well enough Miss Wharf, but many things may happen -before the end of the year."</p> - -<p>"You mean that you will get the money to pay me and others?"</p> - -<p>"I might even mean that," answered Rupert coolly, "and if I am a -bad match, I don't think Mr. Burgh is a better. I have at least -a position and a clean name."</p> - -<p>"What do you know about Clarence Burgh?" she asked quickly.</p> - -<p>"Nothing, save that he is an adventurer, Miss Wharf. He comes -from nowhere, and swaggers about Marport as if it belonged to -him. He has no recognised position and he is not a gentleman."</p> - -<p>"Oh but he is, and I want him to marry Olivia."</p> - -<p>"And thus you would condemn Olivia to misery. She loves me--"</p> - -<p>"A girl's love," said Miss Wharf coolly, "she'll soon get over -that. Mr. Burgh is Lavinia's nephew, and I have promised Lavinia -that Olivia shall be his wife."</p> - -<p>"Why in heaven's name?" asked Rupert angrily, "he has no money."</p> - -<p>"Oh yes he has, and may have a chance of getting more. Lavinia -has been a good friend to me for years and years--all my life in -fact, Mr. Ainsleigh. I owe much to her, and I intend to repay -her. Her heart is set on this match and Olivia must marry -Clarence."</p> - -<p>"Olivia shall not."</p> - -<p>"Olivia shall. I set my will against yours Mr. Ainsleigh."</p> - -<p>"You'll find my will is stronger," said Rupert coolly.</p> - -<p>Miss Wharf gave a short laugh. "Try," she said curtly; then her -hard eyes softened and her cold manner grew warmer. "Don't let -us quarrel," she said gently. "I wish you well, and would give -you anything save Olivia--"</p> - -<p>"Which is the only thing I want."</p> - -<p>"How rude of you to call Olivia a 'thing,'" said the woman -lightly, "you may make up your mind that if you marry her, I -shall leave my money to Miss Pewsey."</p> - -<p>"Do so. I don't want your money."</p> - -<p>"Five hundred a year is not enough," sneered Miss Wharf, "but I -may have more. What do you say to five thousand--"</p> - -<p>"Oh," interrupted Rupert coolly, "so Olivia has told you about -the fan--or perhaps Miss Pewsey."</p> - -<p>"It was Olivia. I believe Clarence Burgh told her. This fan," -Miss Wharf unfurled the article, "means five thousand pounds--"</p> - -<p>"Or a cut throat," said Rupert quickly.</p> - -<p>"Pah! how foolish you are, as though such a thing could happen -in England. Were we in China I admit that I should be afraid to -keep this fan; but as it is I am perfectly safe. See here, Mr. -Ainsleigh," she added bending towards him, "if you will give up -Olivia I will give you this fan and you can get the money to pay -off your creditors."</p> - -<p>"No," said Rupert at once. "I need thirty thousand, not five. -And even if you were to give me the thirty thousand I need, I -would not sell Olivia for that sum."</p> - -<p>"Look at the fan first," said Miss Wharf and gave it to him.</p> - -<p>Rupert's nerves thrilled as he took the dainty trifle in his -hand. So much had been said about it, so much hung on it, of the -meaning of which he was ignorant, that he could not look at it -without feeling the drama it represented. Balzac's remark about -killing a Mandarin in China to obtain a fortune, occurred to his -mind. This fan dainty and fragile, might cost the life of such a -Mandarin. It all depended into whose hands it fell.</p> - -<p>The fan was exactly as the advertisement described. On one side -the pale green sticks were enamelled and smooth; on the other -thin slivers of jade covered the wood, and were inscribed in -quaint Chinese characters in gold. The handle was of gold, and -therefrom hung a thick cord of yellow silk, with four beads and -half a bead thereon. Three beads and the half one were of jade, -but the remaining ball was of jasper. What these might mean -Rupert could not understand, but apparently they were connected -with the secret of the fan, whatever that might be. Certainly, -whatever its significance, the secret dealt with the life of -Lo-Keong, with the life of Dr. Forge, and with the life of Miss -Wharf, seeing she now possessed the article. All the time Rupert -furled and unfurled the fan, admiring its beauty, she kept her -cold eyes on him. "Think," she whispered, "five thousand pounds -may gain you a few months respite--you may be able to save the -Abbey."</p> - -<p>Rupert shook his head. "If I lose Olivia I don't care about -keeping Royabay. It can be sold up and I'll go abroad to the -Colonies to work for my living."</p> - -<p>"Without Olivia."</p> - -<p>"No. With Olivia. Nothing will buy her from me."</p> - -<p>Miss Wharf finding all her arts fail, snatched the fan from him, -and bit her lip. Her eyes flashed, and she seemed on the point -of making some remark, but refrained. "Very good, Mr. Ainsleigh," -said she. "I'll see what I can do with Olivia. You have ruined her."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean by that, Miss Wharf."</p> - -<p>"You'll find out my friend," she replied clenching the fan -fiercely. "Oh, I am not so blind, or so ignorant as you think -me."</p> - -<p>Ainsleigh turned crimson. He wondered if by any chance she had -heard of the marriage, and it was on the tip of his tongue to -put a leading question to Miss Wharf, when Chris Walker came up. -He was not alone. With him was a small Chinaman with the -impassive face of the Celestial. Tung-yu--as Rupert guessed he -was--wore a gorgeous yellow gown, with a kind of blue silk -blouse over it. His feet were encased in thick Chinese shoes -wonderfully embroidered and his pig-tail was down. Several -ladies cast avaricious looks at these gorgeous vestments, and -especially at the blouse, which was heavy with dragons woven in -gold thread. In his thin yellow hand with long finger-nails, -Tung-yu held a small ivory fan, and he stood impassively before -Miss Wharf, not even casting a look at the fan in her hand, -which he was prepared to buy at such a large price.</p> - -<p>"This is Mr. Tung-yu," said Chris boyishly. "He wants to meet -you, Miss Wharf. He admires English ladies."</p> - -<p>"I fear I can't speak his language, Chris."</p> - -<p>"He can speak ours to perfection," said Walker.</p> - -<p>Tung-yu bowed politely and spoke in admirably chosen English. "I -was at Cambridge," he said calmly, "and I know of your Western -culture. If you will permit me, madam." He took a seat beside -Miss Wharf.</p> - -<p>Chris, seeing his friend well established looked around. "Where -is Miss Rayner?" he asked. "Oh there she is--the dance is over."</p> - -<p>And so it was. The dancers were streaming out on to the balcony -and the room was almost empty. Burgh, with Olivia on his arm, -came towards Miss Wharf, and Chris hurried forward to ask Miss -Rayner for a dance. But quick as he was, Rupert was quicker. He -had seen his wife dance with one admirer, and was not going to -let her dance with another. "Miss Rayner is engaged to me," he -said, and offered his arm with a defiant look at Burgh, to whom -he had not been introduced.</p> - -<p>Burgh showed no disposition to let Olivia go, and scowled. But -his eye fell on the Chinaman seated by Miss Wharf, and he -suddenly moved away. It seemed to Rupert that the buccaneer was -afraid. Chris remained to protest, but Ainsleigh ended the -matter by abruptly taking Olivia out of the room. Miss Wharf -frowned when she saw them depart and opened her mouth, as though -to call Olivia back. But on second thoughts she contented -herself with another frown and then turned to speak to Tung-yu. -"I have heard of you," she said.</p> - -<p>"From my friend, Mr. Walker," said the polite Chinaman,</p> - -<p>"Oh yes, and from someone else, through a third party. I heard -of your advertisement----"</p> - -<p>"What advertisement?" asked Tung-yu.</p> - -<p>"About this fan," and Miss Wharf waved it under Tung-yu's narrow -eyes, which did not change their expression of indifference.</p> - -<p>"I do not understand, Madam!"</p> - -<p>The lady looked astonished. "Why. Didn't you advertise for the -fan?"</p> - -<p>Tung-yu permitted himself to smile. "Who told you I did?" he -asked.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Ainsleigh, who left just now, told a friend of mine, who -told me," said Miss Wharf. "I understood you wished to possess -this fan."</p> - -<p>"No," said Tung-yu indifferently, "the advertisement was placed -in the paper, by a compatriot of mine called Hwei. He asked me -to see anyone who called about it, as he was engaged. I saw Mr. -Ainsleigh and told him what he told your friend. You must apply -to Hwei."</p> - -<p>"And have my life taken," said Miss Wharf with a shudder.</p> - -<p>This time the Chinaman was not able to suppress a start. "I do -not quite understand, Madam?" he reflected.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, you do, Mr. Tung-yu. Hwei would murder me to get this -fan. I prefer to sell it to you for five thousand pounds."</p> - -<p>The Chinaman's face became impassive again, though his eyes -looked surprised. "I assure you, this is quite wrong. Madam. My -friend Hwei wants the fan, because it belongs to a Mandarin who -received it as a gift from his dead wife. So dearly does this -Mandarin prize it, that he is willing to buy it at any price."</p> - -<p>"Even five thousand pounds?"</p> - -<p>"I believe so. This Mandarin is rich." He turned his narrow eyes -again on the lady. "Did the person who said that Hwei would go -as far as crime, tell you the Mandarin's name?"</p> - -<p>"No. Who is the Mandarin?"</p> - -<p>"I fear I cannot tell you madam. Hwei did not tell me. If you -like I will bring him to you."</p> - -<p>Miss Wharf hesitated. Her avarice was aroused by the hope of -getting rid of a trifle for five thousand pounds but she did not -wish to risk herself alone with a blood-thirsty celestial. "If -you will come also," she said, hesitating.</p> - -<p>Tung-yu reflected. "Madam, I will be plain with you," he said -gravely, "as I am here, I can act on behalf of my friend -Hwei--but to-morrow."</p> - -<p>Miss Wharf tendered the fan. "Why not take it to-night and give -me a cheque," she said quickly.</p> - -<p>"To-morrow," replied the Chinaman, rising and bowing politely, -"I will call on you, if you will permit me. Mr. Walker will show -me the way. I will then arrange to buy the fan at a price to -which you will not object. Meanwhile--" he bowed again and -gravely departed.</p> - -<p>Miss Wharf, rather annoyed and surprised by this behaviour, -looked round for Miss Pewsey, to whom she was accustomed to tell -everything. The little woman appeared at that moment pushing her -way through the crowd in a state of excitement. "Oh, Sophia!" -she said, throwing herself down. "Oh, Sophia."</p> - -<p>"What's the matter?" asked Miss Wharf coldly.</p> - -<p>"I might ask you," said Miss Pewsey, parrying the question, "you -look so upset, my Sophia."</p> - -<p>"It is with pleasure then," said the old maid, dryly, "I have -arranged to sell this fan to-morrow for five thousand pounds."</p> - -<p>"Oh," Miss Pewsey clasped her hand, "What joy; you will be able -to add to your income. But, Sophia, I really can't keep it any -longer. That Major Tidman----"</p> - -<p>"Well. What about him?"</p> - -<p>"Mr. Ainsleigh said he had a cold and was confined to his room. -I went up to see, as I don't trust that Major a bit. He's so -wicked. I went to his room, and peeped in. Sophia," added Miss -Pewsey in a tragic manner. "He is not there--the room is empty!"</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_09" href="#div1Ref_09">CHAPTER IX</a></h4> -<h5>The End of the Ball</h5> -<br> - -<p>Miss Wharf looked at her excited little friend with an indulgent -smile. "Really I don't see why you should trouble," she said -with a smile. "Let the Major do what he likes."</p> - -<p>"He's up to some mischief," persisted the old maid, "and I'd -like to find out what it is. He is supposed to be keeping his -room, because of a cold, and I find he is not in. People with -colds," added the lady, impressively, "do not go into the night -air."</p> - -<p>"How do you know Major Tidman has?"</p> - -<p>"Because he would be at the ball, were he in the hotel. I shall -ask Clarence to see what he is doing."</p> - -<p>"Why?" asked Miss Wharf, puzzled.</p> - -<p>"Because--oh, just because," replied Miss Pewsey, tossing her -head in a sharp way, like the Red Queen in Alice's Adventures. -"But the fan, dearest Sophia?--Can't I take charge of it?"</p> - -<p>Miss Wharf grasped the fan tighter. "No, certainly not. It is -worth five thousand pounds."</p> - -<p>"And perhaps more," said Miss Pewsey. "Remember, dearest Sophia, -that is the sum offered, but you might ask more. It is very -important that this Mandarin should get the fan back. Dr. Forge -told me."</p> - -<p>"Why is it important?"</p> - -<p>"Theophilus didn't tell me that, but he said that this -Mandarin--I quite forget his queer name--would give even more -than five thousand to get it back."</p> - -<p>"His emissary didn't seem very anxious to buy."</p> - -<p>"Oh, that is craft," rejoined Miss Pewsey, tossing her head. -"The Chinese are very double, Theophilus says."</p> - -<p>"I don't think so, Lavinia. I would have sold this fan for a few -pounds had I not known such a large sum was offered. Tung-yu is -not a good business man, or else the Mandarin must be a -millionaire."</p> - -<p>"He is--he is. I wish you would let me conduct the business, and -<i>do</i> let me take the fan?"</p> - -<p>"No, I shall keep it."</p> - -<p>"Sophia," said Miss Pewsey, solemnly, "that is dangerous. Rupert -Ainsleigh hates you and needs money; he might kill you to get -that fan, and sell it for five----"</p> - -<p>"Nonsense. I cannot be murdered in a house full of people like -this. I know another Chinaman hints at murder--you told me -so----"</p> - -<p>"Olivia told me to tell you," put in the little woman, quickly.</p> - -<p>"Well, Hwei isn't here, and I'll sell the fan to Tung-yu -to-morrow."</p> - -<p>Miss Pewsey would have said more, but at this moment Dr. Forge -approached, with a crooked elbow and a dreary smile. "Allow me -to take you into supper, Miss Wharf."</p> - -<p>"Certainly," she rose and took the arm. "I am really hungry. -Lavinia?"</p> - -<p>"I shall look for Clarence. I must find out what has become of -Major Tidman," and the old maid hurried away while the doctor -escorted Miss Wharf to the supper-room.</p> - -<p>Clarence was not drinking at the buffet, though his aunt went -there to find him as the most likely place. Nor was he in the -ball-room, although a new dance had begun. She could not see him -in the card-room, but finally ran him to earth on the terrace, -where he was leaning against a tree-fern with folded arms and -with his wicked black eyes fixed on a couple some distance away. -Miss Pewsey followed his gaze and her eyes also flashed, for she -beheld Rupert talking with Olivia. Both their heads were bent, -and they conversed earnestly. The little woman hated Olivia and -detested Rupert, so the sight was gall and worm-wood to her. -"Why don't you ask her to dance?" she demanded, touching her -nephew's arm.</p> - -<p>"Because there would only be a row," he rejoined sullenly. "I -feel inclined to spoil that chap's looks I can tell you."</p> - -<p>"Do you really love the girl, so?"</p> - -<p>"Yes I do. I'd give anything to marry her, and I shall too."</p> - -<p>"There's not the slightest chance. Ainsleigh will not surrender -her I can tell you."</p> - -<p>"Then why did you make me waste that fan."</p> - -<p>"You didn't waste it on her," said Miss Pewsey coldly, "she -refused to take it like a fool, and now Sophia has it, there is -no chance of getting it back. Had I known the fan was of such -value, you wouldn't have caught me advising you to part with it. -If you knew what this Hwei said, why didn't you tell me the fan -was valuable."</p> - -<p>"I did not see Hwei until I had parted with the fan," said -Clarence crossly, "and we can do nothing now."</p> - -<p>"You are not so bold as Major Tidman," she whispered.</p> - -<p>"What's that?" asked the buccaneer sharply.</p> - -<p>"He's not in his room," rejoined Miss Pewsey in a low voice, "he -pretends illness, to carry out his plan to get the fan."</p> - -<p>"How do you know that?"</p> - -<p>"Because Tung-yu is in the hotel. The Major will try and get the -fan to sell it to him."</p> - -<p>"In that case he would have come to the ball and have seen Miss -Wharf to get it from her."</p> - -<p>"No. He has some other plan. What it is I don't know. But I wish -you would look round for him, Clarence, and watch him."</p> - -<p>"Bah! It's all stuff." Burgh turned to look at the sea and the -pier and the luminous night. "I'm getting sick of this business," he -went on discontentedly, "and but for the chance of gaining Olivia, I -would bunk out on the long trail. There's a barky out there," he -continued pointing to the right of the pier, "yonder--the one with the -green light. I saw her anchor early in the afternoon--a kind of -gentleman's yacht I fancy. She'd just do for me. I'd like to take a -boat and pull out to her, and then get up steam for the South Seas. -There's a clear path leads there, down channel," and he stared at the -flickering green light which winked amongst many red ones.</p> - -<p>"You'll never get Olivia," said Miss Pewsey, in a sharp tense -voice, "and you can go away as soon as you like. Meantime, look -for Major Tidman and tell him I want him."</p> - -<p>Clarence lazily stretched himself, and moved off along the -balcony. At the end there was a flight of shallow steps leading -down to an iron gate which was open. Thence one could pass to -the Esplanade and the beach, if so inclined. But the guests kept -to the populous end of the balcony where the lights clustered. -Near the stairs, there were hardly any lamps, and a screen of -flowers curtained it off from the rest of the hotel. Clarence -passed through this floral arch, and Miss Pewsey lost sight of -him. Her eyes turned to the couple she hated, and she carelessly -moved near them. No one noted her as the balcony was not so -full, and she sat down behind a fern where she could hear -without being seen by the two, she was spying on. Their voices -were low, but hate sharpened Miss Pewsey's ears, and she -listened intently.</p> - -<p>"My aunt is much more amiable to-night," Olivia was saying, "I -suppose the chance of making five thousand pounds has appealed -to her."</p> - -<p>"She gave me the chance of making it, provided I gave you up," -said Rupert, "and she lost her temper with me because I -declined."</p> - -<p>"Will you never be friends with her?"</p> - -<p>"I fear not, while Miss Pewsey is in the way," said Rupert. -"Olivia, it is that woman who makes all the mischief."</p> - -<p>"I think it is," replied the girl with a weary smile, "but she -seems to have a kind of hypnotic power over my aunt--"</p> - -<p>"What do you mean?"</p> - -<p>"Aunt Sophia has bad headaches and Miss Pewsey sometimes -hypnotises her to send away the pain."</p> - -<p>"Miss Wharf is foolish to allow her to do such a thing. That -little woman is no more to be trusted than her scamp of a nephew -is."</p> - -<p>"Well it doesn't matter," said Olivia, feeling in her pocket. "I -want to talk about ourselves. See Rupert you wanted a silk tie -the other day. I have knitted you one--red and yellow."</p> - -<p>Rupert took the tie and admired it in the lamp light. He would -have kissed Olivia's hand after a few words of warm thanks, but -she prevented him.</p> - -<p>"Someone might see and tell Aunt Sophia," she said hurriedly, "I -should have given it to you the other day when I called at the -Abbey, but I forgot, so I decided to give it to you to-night. -It's rather awkward your having it now. Give it to me again."</p> - -<p>"No! I'll put it in my overcoat in the cloak room," said -Rupert, rising, "but I must take you back to Miss Wharf, or she -will be angry."</p> - -<p>"I wish this deception was at an end and I could be with you -altogether," said Olivia rising with a sigh.</p> - -<p>It was at this moment that Miss Pewsey chose to come forward. -She was furious at the way in which the couple spoke of her, but -long habit enabled her to smooth her face to a treacherous -smile.</p> - -<p>"Oh dear Olivia," she said. "I have been looking for you -everywhere."</p> - -<p>"Does my aunt want me?" asked the girl calmly.</p> - -<p>"No. She is in the supper-room with Mr. Forge. But Mr. Walker--"</p> - -<p>"I don't want him," said Miss Rayner quickly, and with a change -of voice.</p> - -<p>"Yes--yes," said Rupert in a low voice. "Go with her, and dance -with Walker; it will prevent Miss Wharf being cross."</p> - -<p>"Very well," rejoined Olivia quietly: then turned to Miss Pewsey -who smiled like a grotesque image. "Let us go to the ball-room."</p> - -<p>"Won't Mr. Ainsleigh escort us?" asked the old maid, blandly. Rupert -bowed, and smothering his feelings, which always revolted at the sight -of the woman, he walked beside the two to the ball-room. Miss Pewsey -took Olivia's arm and chattered effusively all the time. At the door -they met Chris Walker, who hurried up at once and asked for a dance. -Leaving the two ladies with him, Rupert went towards the cloak room. -Here to his surprise he saw Major Tidman clothed in a heavy fur coat, -talking to Tung-yu. Tidman looked white and uneasy, but the Chinaman -still preserved his impassive face. Rupert took no notice but simply -nodded to the Major as he passed, pulling out the yellow and red tie -as he did so. Tidman changed colour, apparently not pleased at being -found talking to Tung-yu, and laughed uneasily. "That's a bright piece -of goods Ainsleigh."</p> - -<p>"It's a present," said Rupert thrusting the tie into the pocket -of his over coat. "I should think it would match your friend's -dress."</p> - -<p>"Hush," said Tidman quietly, "he speaks English. He will hear," -then he added aloud. "Let me introduce you to Mr. Ainsleigh, -Tung-yu."</p> - -<p>The Chinaman turned and looked impassive enough. But his eyes -had an enquiring look in their black depths. "Tung-yu and I met -in Canton, where we had an adventure," said the Major, with a -titter.</p> - -<p>"About that famous fan?" asked Rupert smiling.</p> - -<p>Tung-yu started and looked quickly at Tidman, who was again -pale. "I don't remember about the fan," said Tung-yu, "did our -friend find it in Canton."</p> - -<p>"No! No I never did," said Tidman hurriedly,--"that is Forge -found the fan--"</p> - -<p>"And gave it to Miss Wharf. Quite so," replied Tung-yu blandly. -"I see her to-morrow about the matter," then he bowed to Rupert -and moved away slowly.</p> - -<p>"I thought you had a bad cold," said Rupert to Tidman, who was -looking after the Chinaman with a scared expression.</p> - -<p>"Yes--yes--but that is better now," said the Major hurriedly, -"so Miss Wharf is here, and has the fan?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, she offered to give it to me if I surrendered Olivia."</p> - -<p>"Refuse--refuse," cried Tidman hurriedly: he approached his lips -to Ainsleigh's ears. "There is death in the air to-night."</p> - -<p>"Tidman," cried Ainsleigh starting away and staring.</p> - -<p>"Yes--yes--say nothing. I wish you hadn't mentioned about my -having the fan. Tung-yu never knew--but it can't be helped. -Ainsleigh, is there another Chinaman here to-night?"</p> - -<p>"I have seen none. Do you expect Hwei? If so we had better warn -Miss Wharf. She has the fan and--"</p> - -<p>"No! No--say nothing. Don't touch the accursed thing."</p> - -<p>"How do you know it is accursed?"</p> - -<p>"I knew in Canton, and in a very unpleasant way. But I'll tell -you my adventure to-morrow--yes I will--if nothing happens -to-night."</p> - -<p>Rupert stared still harder. "What can happen to-night man -alive?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing--nothing," said the Major hurriedly. "I'll get back to -my room--you needn't say you have seen me. I--"</p> - -<p>"Just the man I want," cried a bold free voice, and Burgh's slim -hand fell on the Major's shoulder. "Miss Pewsey asks for you."</p> - -<p>"For me. Any more trouble?"</p> - -<p>"I guess not. She wants to fuss round about your cold. Heaping -coals of fire's the English of it."</p> - -<p>"Let her leave me alone," said the Major petulantly. "I'm quite -well. I am going back to my room," and with a nod to Rupert, he -marched out.</p> - -<p>Burgh looked after him with a smile and a shrug: then he turned -to Rupert who was moving towards the door. "Can I speak with -you?" he asked with a frown.</p> - -<p>"Not here Mr. Burgh," cried Ainsleigh, "this is not the place -for a quarrel."</p> - -<p>"And why not," cried the other, advancing with clenched fists, -"I--"</p> - -<p>"Keep your distance," said Ainsleigh sharply starting back on -his guard, "the attendant is looking on," and he pointed to the -man behind the counter who attended to the hats and cloaks.</p> - -<p>Burgh tossed him a shilling, "Go and get a drink," he ordered.</p> - -<p>"Stop where you are," commanded Rupert, "or I'll report you."</p> - -<p>But the man, who was a dissipated-looking waiter pretended not -to hear this last remark, and disappeared from behind the -counter. The two men were alone, and Burgh spoke first. "I guess -I'm going to lay you out," said he, "on account of--"</p> - -<p>"Stop," said Rupert, "mention no names."</p> - -<p>"I'll mention what I like and Olivia--"</p> - -<p>Ainsleigh let drive before he could finish the word and in a -second Burgh was sprawling on the floor. He rose with an oath -and slipped round his right hand. "You draw a revolver and I'll -break your neck," panted Rupert, "you bully, what do you mean -by--"</p> - -<p>Burgh drew his hand away--perhaps he was afraid a shot would -bring in others to see the fray. But he dashed again at the -young man. A short struggle ensued, which ended in Burgh being -thrown again. Then Rupert, disinclined for a vulgar row, walked -away. He stopped at the door to give his antagonist a bit of -advice. "You touch me again," he said, "and I'll hand you over -to the police after giving you a good thrashing. It's what a -bully like you deserves. And if you dare to speak to Miss Rayner -I'll make Marport too hot to hold you." When Rupert vanished, -Burgh raised himself slowly and with an evil smile. "Perhaps the -place will be too hot for you my fine gentleman," he said -savagely, and began to think.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile Rupert went to the ball-room and saw that Olivia was -dancing with Dr. Forge. Chris Walker told him that Miss Wharf -had gone on to the balcony for the fresh air. Miss Pewsey was -not to be seen or Rupert would have told her to look after her -disreputable relative in the cloak-room. The young man thought -he would go up to the Major's room and have a smoke, when he -felt a light touch on his shoulder. There stood Tung-yu.</p> - -<p>"Excuse me sir," said the Chinaman in his excellent English, "I -am your friend. Major Tidman and Dr. Forge are your enemies, and -you have a third enemy in that young man Burgh."</p> - -<p>"But how do you know--" began Rupert.</p> - -<p>Tung-yu bent forward and whispered. "I know how your father -died," he said softly and before Rupert could detain him, he -vanished.</p> - -<p>But Ainsleigh waited but for a moment. The speech was so -surprising, that he determined to learn more. At once he ran -after the Chinaman but could not see him. In spite of his -noticeable clothes, he was swallowed up in the crowd and Rupert -plunged into the gay throng determined to find the man who could -solve the mystery of Markham Ainsleigh's death.</p> - -<p>The night wore on and the fun became fast and furious. Towards -twelve the guests began to depart, but many choice spirits -declared they would keep the ball rolling till dawn. One of -these was Chris Walker, who had imbibed more champagne than was -good for him. While he talked excitedly Miss Pewsey came to him -hastily. "Where is my dear Sophia?" she asked, "I can't find her, -and with her delicate health it is time she was home in bed."</p> - -<p>"I have not seen her. Have you, Dr. Forge?"</p> - -<p>The lean doctor shook his head, "I have been in the card room -for the last hour," he said, "and as Miss Wharf's doctor I -assuredly say, she should go home, there's midnight," and as he -spoke the strokes boomed from a tall clock in the hall.</p> - -<p>"Clarence, have you seen her?" asked Miss Pewsey of the -buccaneer who had Olivia on his arm.</p> - -<p>"No! I've just been waltzing with Miss Rayner."</p> - -<p>"Then you Mr. Ainsleigh?"</p> - -<p>"I have been smoking on the balcony," said Rupert, who looked -tired.</p> - -<p>"Oh, dear me," said Miss Pewsey wringing her hands, "I wonder if -dear Sophia has gone to see Major Tidman. She is so kind-hearted -and he is ill--at least he says he is. Did he tell you Clarence?"</p> - -<p>"I saw him only for a minute and he went back to his room I guess."</p> - -<p>"Then Sophia must have gone there," cried Miss Pewsey and -hurried away. Olivia followed with Forge as she thought also, -that her aunt ought to go home, and Clarence's attentions were -becoming so embarrassing that she feared there would be trouble -with Rupert. But soon, Miss Pewsey appeared again and said that -Miss Wharf was not in the Major's room, nor was the Major there. -Taking Olivia and Clarence and Forge, she went to search for the -missing lady. Rupert lingered behind as he did not wish to come -into contact with the buccaneer.</p> - -<p>The hunt proceeded for some time, and every room in the hotel -was searched. But Miss Wharf could not be found. Finally -everyone--for many of the guests were hunting by this time--, -went out on the balcony. Miss Wharf was not there. "Oh, dear -me," cried Miss Pewsey, "wherever can she be."</p> - -<p>The balcony was searched from end to end. Then one of the guests -more venturesome, descended the steps. He gave a cry of horror. -"Bring a light," he cried.</p> - -<p>Lights were brought and everyone rushed after them. Half way -down the steps lay Miss Wharf--dead--strangled, and round her -throat tightly bound was a yellow and red silk tie.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_10" href="#div1Ref_10">CHAPTER X</a></h4> -<h5>A Mysterious Case</h5> -<br> - -<p>The murder of Miss Sophia Wharf at the Bristol Hotel ball, made -a great sensation. She had been well-known in Marport, and her -many friends were enormously excited that each and everyone of -them had been acquainted with a person who had been--as one of -them put it--done to death. Also the circumstances of the murder -were most extraordinary. It seemed almost incredible that a -popular lady should be murdered in so public a place; though -many said, that the safety of the assassin lay in the very fact -that he had chosen to commit his crime, a few yards away from a -spot where many people were congregated. But who had killed Miss -Wharf and why she was killed in so brutal a manner, no one could -understand.</p> - -<p>When the local police heard of the assassination, an Inspector -with two subordinates took possession of the hotel, and obtained -from the manager a list of the guests present at the ball. As -these amounted to something like two hundred, it seemed like -looking for a needle in a haystack to search for the criminal -amongst them. And many of them did not know Miss Wharf even by -sight, so it was certain that the task of identifying the -assassin would be one of enormous difficulty. And the question -was asked on all hands. "What had taken the deceased lady down -the little-frequented steps?" The fan was missing--Miss Pewsey -noticed that, when she bent over the dead, but the story of the -fan was not yet public property.</p> - -<p>According to custom the local police communicated with the -Treasury, who placed the case in the hands of the Criminal -Investigation Department, and thus it came about, that a plain -clothes officer--in other words a detective--was sent down to -Marport. This individual was called Rogers, and after paying a -visit to the Superintendent of the Marport Police Office, he -went to Ivy Lodge. Here, everything was gloomy and silent. The -body of the unfortunate woman had been brought home, and was -laid out for burial. Dr. Forge, who with others had been on the -spot at the time of the discovery, examined the corpse, and -asserted that the miserable woman must have been murdered just -an hour, or half an hour previous. As midnight was chiming -shortly before the discovery of the crime, it can be safely -declared--and Dr. Forge did declare this--that Miss Wharf was -strangled between eleven and twelve. When the corpse was found -it was yet warm, Clarence haunted the Lodge and talked with his -aunt, but Olivia kept to her own room.</p> - -<p>"Tung-yu did it of course," said Mr. Burgh decisively. "I reckon -he came down to get that fan, and grudged giving so much cash -for it. I surmise that he lured the old girl to those steps, and -then slipped the silk string round her neck."</p> - -<p>"The silk tie," said Miss Pewsey whose eyes were very black and -glittering, though red round the rims, from weeping.</p> - -<p>"How do you know it's a tie?" asked Clarence with a start.</p> - -<p>"I know," replied his aunt tightening her thin lips, "and I know -to whom the tie belongs. But you say that Tung-yu?--"</p> - -<p>"Who else could have scragged the old girl aunt Lavinia. The -fan's gone--leastways I didn't see it when we spotted the -deader."</p> - -<p>Miss Pewsey nodded. "Yes, the fan is gone," she assented, "but -if Tung-yu murdered dearest Sophia, he can easily be arrested."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I guess not," replied Mr. Burgh easily. "Tung-yu's no -slouch, you bet, and didn't intend to lose his prize--"</p> - -<p>"The fan?" inquired Miss Pewsey.</p> - -<p>"Just so, the fan," replied Clarence imperturbably, "and he's on -his way to China by this time."</p> - -<p>"Clarence?" Miss Pewsey rose, much excited; then calmed down. "I -do not agree with you," said she firmly. "Tung-yu is innocent."</p> - -<p>"I'll lay a couple of dollars he isn't, Aunt Lavinia. Do you -remember that yacht I pointed out to you last night. Well, t'was -a steam deep-sea barky, two hundred tons, Lloyd's measurement I -reckon--quite heavy enough to cut round the Cape into Chinese -waters. Well, she arrived in the afternoon yesterday and after -midnight she lighted out."</p> - -<p>"But how do you know Tung-yu was on board?"</p> - -<p>"Well, I only size that up," said Clarence musingly, "but it -looks to me as though he'd engineered the job. 'Twould be easy I -guess for him to have had a boat waiting for him. After he'd -killed the old girl and annexed the fan, he could dance down -those steps like a two year old and pick up the boat on the -beach. Course it's all my fancy," added Burgh modestly, "but I -guess I'm right."</p> - -<p>"I guess you're not," snapped Miss Pewsey in rather an -unlady-like manner, and she rose to shake out her skirts. "I -know who killed dearest Sophia," she added, wagging a lean -finger at her nephew. "I know who possessed the tie, and I shall -hand that man--"</p> - -<p>"Who the dickens is he anyhow?"</p> - -<p>"Rupert Ainsleigh," replied Miss Pewsey with a grim smile, -and left the room, while the buccaneer stared, and then smiled. -It was pleasant to think that his rival--as he considered -Rupert,--should be in such straits and should be pursued by the -vindictive hatred of Miss Pewsey, who would leave no stone -unturned to bring about the conviction of young Ainsleigh.</p> - -<p>"Well," said the buccaneer with his hands in his pockets, "I -guess I'm not taking a hand in this biznai, and it ain't lively -round these quarters, I'll git."</p> - -<p>And this Mr. Burgh did. When he passed out of the front door, he -brushed against a plainly dressed rubicund man with sharp grey -eyes who glanced at him inquisitively. However, the stranger -said nothing but proceeded to ring the bell. The maidservant who -appeared took him into the drawing-room and carried a card to -Miss Pewsey. The name thereon was, Orlando Rodgers, C.I.D.</p> - -<p>With this in her hand Miss Pewsey sailed into the drawing-room -and looked at the comfortable creature who rose to greet her. -"Mr. Orlando Rodgers, C.I.D.?" queried the little old lady.</p> - -<p>"Criminal Investigation Department," said the man in a cool -voice, and with a sharp glance at the dry drab woman, "I'm in -charge of the Wharf Murder Case, and have been sent down by the -Treasury. As I have seen the Superintendent and can learn -nothing likely to throw light on the subject, I have come to -you--a relative?"</p> - -<p>"No," answered Miss Pewsey sitting down, in a rigid way. "I am -the companion of the late Miss Wharf. Her only relative, down -here at all events, is Miss Olivia Rayner."</p> - -<p>"Can I see her?"</p> - -<p>"I think not--at present. She is in her room weeping. Though why -she should display such grief I can't understand," added Miss -Pewsey spitefully.</p> - -<p>"It's natural in a relative, miss," said the detective looking -hard at the withered little face.</p> - -<p>Miss Pewsey laughed in a shrill manner, and spoke between her -teeth more than ever, emphasising every word as usual. "Oh, dear -me, no," said she. "Miss Wharf and Olivia never got on well. The -girl hated her aunt, though dearest Sophia--Miss Wharf, you -know, sir--brought her up, when she hadn't a shilling or a -friend in the world."</p> - -<p>"To whom have I the honour of speaking?" asked Rodgers wondering -how much of this spiteful speech was true, and seeing plainly -enough that the speaker was no friend to the niece.</p> - -<p>"I am Lavinia Pewsey," said that lady, "and for years I have -been the cherished friend and dearest companion of Sophia. We -were at school together, and were--as I may say--like two -cherries on one stalk. Anything I can do to avenge her death -will be done."</p> - -<p>"Punishment by the law, doesn't come under the head of -vengeance!"</p> - -<p>"It comes under the head of hanging, and I'll be glad to see the -rope round his neck."</p> - -<p>"Of whom are you talking?" asked Rodgers phlegmatically.</p> - -<p>"Of the man who killed my dearest friend."</p> - -<p>"Oh. I understood from the Superintendent that the affair was -quite a mystery."</p> - -<p>"Not to me," snapped Miss Pewsey, "Rupert Ainsleigh strangled -her to get the fan."</p> - -<p>"What fan?" asked the detective taking out his note-book, "and -who is Rupert Ainsleigh?"</p> - -<p>Miss Pewsey spread her skirts and folded her hands together in a -prim way. "I shall tell you all," she cried, "and please take -down all I say. I am prepared to make this statement in a law -court."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Rodgers moistening his pencil, "you may have to. -Now this Mr. Ainsleigh?----"</p> - -<p>"Of Royabay, a few miles from Marport," said Miss Pewsey, "quite -one of the old families. A nice come down for the Ainsleighs, -for the last of them to die on the gallows."</p> - -<p>"He is not there yet," said Rodgers dryly, "and may I ask you to -speak in a more reasonable way. I see you don't like the man."</p> - -<p>"I hate him," Miss Pewsey drew a long breath, "and I hated his -father before him, to say nothing of his mother, who was a cat."</p> - -<p>"Then your evidence is prejudiced, I fancy."</p> - -<p>"Never you mind, Mr. Orlando Rodgers," she replied sharply, -"take down what I say, and then you can sift the matter out for -yourself. My Sophia was murdered to obtain possession of a -fan----"</p> - -<p>"What fan?" asked Rodgers again.</p> - -<p>Miss Pewsey smiled, and calmly detailed all she had learned from -Dr. Forge concerning the fan. "You can ask my nephew, Clarence -Burgh, about these things also," she ended, "and Dr. Forge, and -Mr. Christopher Walker, who brought the Chinaman Tung-yu to the -ball, and----"</p> - -<p>"Wait a bit," interrupted the detective, "it appears to me from -what you say," he ran a quick eye over his notes, "that the -suspicion points to these Chinamen you mention. They advertised, -and they wanted the fan. Now Hwei--as I hear from you--was not -at the ball, but Tung-yu was. Therefore Tung-yu----"</p> - -<p>"Didn't do it," said the little woman. "I don't pretend to -understand why Hwei offered death and Tung-yu money for the -possession of the fan; nor do I know why this Mandarin, whatever -his name may be, is so anxious to get possession of the article. -But I know that the fan is gone and that Tung-yu, who did not -intend murder, hasn't got it."</p> - -<p>"Then who has?"</p> - -<p>"Rupert Ainsleigh. He went up about the advertisement and knew -all about the fan. I believe he killed my Sophia, and got the -fan, so as to sell it for five thousand to Tung-yu--"</p> - -<p>"But a gentleman of property wouldn't--"</p> - -<p>"A gentleman of property," snorted the old maid smoothing her -dress, "why he's head over ears in debt and will lose Royabay -before the end of the year on account of the foreclosure of a -mortgage. He'd have done anything to get money, and five -thousand pounds is not a small amount."</p> - -<p>"This is all very well: but I don't see how you connected Mr. -Ainsleigh with the crime."</p> - -<p>"By means of the silk necktie," said Miss Pewsey with a -triumphant smile, and related how Rupert had received the scarf -from Olivia, "if he is guiltless how came his silk tie round the -throat of Sophia?"</p> - -<p>Rodgers was shaken by this piece of evidence. "It looks queer I -admit," he said: then added, "I understand that Mr. Ainsleigh is -an admirer of Miss Rayner."</p> - -<p>"He wants to marry her, and she is in love with him," said Miss -Pewsey, "which is an additional reason for the crime."</p> - -<p>"I don't understand."</p> - -<p>"You're not a sharp man," said the old woman tranquilly, "don't -you see that as Miss Rayner inherits dearest Sophia's money, she -will get the mortgage also. Then with that, and the five thousand -pounds Mr. Ainsleigh would be free from his money-troubles. Well," she -added sharply, as the detective rose, "what do you say?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing at present. Give me the address of Dr. Forge who, I -believe, examined the body, and of your nephew and Mr. Ainsleigh."</p> - -<p>Miss Pewsey did this with alacrity and accompanied Rodgers to -the door. "Don't spare him," she said venomously, "he's guilty -and he shall hang," and she shut the door herself.</p> - -<p>"What a spiteful woman," mused Rodgers, leaving Ivy Lodge, "her -story is so very explicit that I am inclined to doubt it. She -wants this young man scragged. Why?"</p> - -<p>He could find no answer to this question, but went on his way to -see Clarence Burgh. His interview with the buccaneer was brief, -Clarence related the story of the yacht, and set forth his -theory of Tung-yu. "Mind," said he, "I don't like Ainsleigh, as -he's trying to run the girl I want to hitch long-side of. But I -guess he didn't scragg the old girl."</p> - -<p>"You speak fairer than your aunt," said Rodgers dryly.</p> - -<p>Clarence heaved up his right shoulder, "Huh," said he, "if you -go by woman's jaw, you'll get on the shoals. Tung-yu scragged -the old girl, you bet, and he's on his way to China in that -yacht."</p> - -<p>"Well, we'll see if we can't stop the yacht. She must coal -somewhere. What is her name?"</p> - -<p>"The Stormy Petrel," said Clarence, "I got that out of a -boatman, who was rowing about her yesterday."</p> - -<p>"Did he see any Chinaman on board?"</p> - -<p>"No. He didn't see anyone. There didn't appear to be anyone about, or -else they were at tea," concluded Clarence ungrammatically.</p> - -<p>"Humph," said the detective, noting the name of the yacht, "do -you know anything of the silk tie?"</p> - -<p>"No. Aunt Lavinia says it belongs to Ainsleigh, but I never saw -it till it was round the throat of the old girl. I should like -to think he put it there," said Clarence pleasantly, "for I want -that chap out of the way; but I believe Tung-yu's the man."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps he is. Have you a copy of that advertisement?"</p> - -<p>"No. But I reckon Ainsleigh has. Ain't you going to see him?"</p> - -<p>Rogers nodded. "Straight away. And I thank you for what you have -told me. You want him hanged I presume."</p> - -<p>"Well no I reckon not. He's in my way, but I can lay him out on -my own, without the lynching biznai."</p> - -<p>"You are fairer than your aunt," said the detective once more.</p> - -<p>"Go slow. She's only an acid-drop, and you can't size her up, -just as an ordinary girl. She was crazy on Markham, the father -of this young Ainsleigh, and----"</p> - -<p>"And proposes to hang the son to avenge herself on his father. A -nice woman, truly. But it seems to me Mr. Burgh that if anyone -killed Miss Wharf, Hwei is the man."</p> - -<p>"Might be. He wasn't at the ball anyhow. Tung-yu was."</p> - -<p>"But Tung-yu--as I understand from Miss Pewsey--intended to call the -next day--to-day that is--and buy the fan for five thousand."</p> - -<p>"Huh," Clarence heaved up his shoulder again, "perhaps he thought -he'd settle in another way. 'Day. I'll be along here whenever you like -to call. I wish to see this biznai through, you bet."</p> - -<p>Rodgers departed, and sought out Rupert at Royabay. The young -man was walking up and down the terrace smoking furiously. At -the sight of the stranger he frowned and Rodgers noted that he -looked worn and ill. "Might be money worries," thought the -detective, "and it might be the other thing."</p> - -<p>However, he kept these thoughts to himself and merely detailed what he -had learned from Miss Pewsey and set forth the accusation she brought -against him. Ainsleigh heard the detective quietly enough, and smiled -wearily when the explanation was concluded. "Miss Pewsey doesn't love -me," he said quietly, "and would like to see me out of the way, so -that Miss Rayner could marry her nephew."</p> - -<p>"I see," nodded Rodgers, "Miss Rayner will have the dead lady's -money, and the nephew is poor."</p> - -<p>"I really don't know," replied Rupert coldly, "Mr. Burgh is a -mystery to me. He comes from nowhere, though I believe he has -been in China."</p> - -<p>"And knows what about the fan?"</p> - -<p>"I think so. At all events, young Walker declares that Burgh was -talking to a Chinaman near the Mansion House. Burgh admits this, -and also admits that the Chinaman was Hwei, who put in that -advertisement.</p> - -<p>"I'm inclined to suspect Hwei himself," said Rodgers looking -keenly at the worn face of the young man, "but this silk -tie----"</p> - -<p>"It is mine, Mr. Rodgers. Miss Rayner gave it to me last night."</p> - -<p>"So Miss Pewsey says--on the balcony."</p> - -<p>"Quite so. Miss Pewsey was spying and saw the tie given. As the -colours are rather pronounced, she could easily identify it. I -took it to the cloak-room and placed it in the pocket of my -overcoat."</p> - -<p>"And took it out again?"</p> - -<p>"No." Rupert rose and grew crimson, "surely you are not so -unjust as to believe Miss Pewsey's malignant tale."</p> - -<p>"You may be sure, Mr. Ainsleigh, that I'll act fairly towards -you," said the detective dryly, "but the tie having been used to -strangle--"</p> - -<p>"I don't know how it came round her throat," interrupted -Ainsleigh imperiously, "I placed the tie in my overcoat -pocket--that was the last I saw of it, until I noticed it on -Miss Wharf's dead body."</p> - -<p>"Did anyone else see the tie?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Major Tidman?"</p> - -<p>"Who is he?"</p> - -<p>"A retired Army man--South American Army--who stops at Bristol -Hotel. He is much respected here. I went to the cloak room, and -found him talking to Tung-yu. Both, saw me place the tie in my -coat."</p> - -<p>Rodgers sat up. "Oh," said he opening his eyes widely, "then -Tung-yu saw you place the tie in the coat."</p> - -<p>"He did, but if you suspect he took it out again, I think you -are wrong. He left the room and I exchanged a few words with -Major Tidman."</p> - -<p>"What about?"</p> - -<p>"About this fan. Major Tidman told me to leave it alone. But of -course I never intended to meddle with it. Miss Wharf had it, -and she hated me too much to let me handle it, though she did -give me the chance of making the money," said Rupert, with an -after thought.</p> - -<p>"Eh, how was that?"</p> - -<p>"She offered to let me have the fan if I gave up my claim to -Miss Rayner, whom she desired should marry Mr. Burgh, I -refused."</p> - -<p>"Humph," said Rodgers again, "and how does Major Tidman come to -know about the fan?"</p> - -<p>"I refer you to him for an answer."</p> - -<p>"And how did he come to know Tung-yu?"</p> - -<p>"I believe he met him in Canton," replied Rupert restlessly, "he -had some adventure there--?"</p> - -<p>"Connected with this ubiquitous fan?" asked Rodgers sharply.</p> - -<p>"Yes. He promised to tell me the adventure to-day, but I had not -seen him yet."</p> - -<p>"Humph. He may come after all. I'll call on this gentleman. At -the Bristol you say. Quite so," Rodgers took a note. "Now then -Mr. Ainsleigh, tell me how you came to go up about the advertisement?"</p> - -<p>Rupert related his father's dealings with Lo-Keong, and referred -to the secret said to be connected with the fan. The detective -heard him in silence, and appeared to be struck by his frankness. "I -think it's one of the most complicated cases I ever had to do with, -Mr. Ainsleigh, and will take a lot of searching into."</p> - -<p>"I hope you don't suspect me?"</p> - -<p>"Humph, the tie is, strangely enough, the rope used to strangle -this woman, and you admit that it is yours. But Tung-yu saw you -put it in your overcoat pocket, and he wanted the fan--"</p> - -<p>"For five thousand pounds remember. Hwei was the one who -threatened to gain the fan, by killing."</p> - -<p>"Don't defend Tung-yu too much," said the detective dryly, "your -position is not a pleasant one and--"</p> - -<p>"Do you mean to arrest me?" asked Rupert rising angrily.</p> - -<p>"Not at present. But no doubt at the inquest you can prove an -alibi."</p> - -<p>Rupert turned away, "I can't," he said in a low voice, "I was -walking outside smoking between eleven and twelve--on the -beach."</p> - -<p>"That's a pity, Mr. Ainsleigh, I may have to arrest you after -all. But who is this gentleman. Major Tidman!--quite so. -Good-day Major."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_11" href="#div1Ref_11">CHAPTER XI</a></h4> -<h5>The Canton Adventure</h5> -<br> - -<p>Major Tidman who was standing at the foot of the terrace stared -at the man before him. "How do you know my name?" he asked, and -looked towards Rupert for a reply.</p> - -<p>Mr. Rodgers produced a red silk handkerchief and wiped his face -for it was noon and very warm. "A guess on my part," he -answered, "Mr. Ainsleigh said you might come here, to tell him -of your Canton adventure, and I fancied it might be you, Major -Tidman."</p> - -<p>"I am not aware," said the Major loftily, "why you should -interest yourself in my private affairs."</p> - -<p>"I interest myself in everybody's private affairs, when they -have to do with murder," said Rodgers quietly.</p> - -<p>Tidman stared and gasped. "Then you are?"--</p> - -<p>"The detective in charge of the Wharf murder case. I am glad to -see you, sir," he laid a finger on Tidman's chest, "you have -something to tell me no doubt?"</p> - -<p>"No," said the Major gasping again, "I have not."</p> - -<p>Rupert looked at him suddenly and the Major's small eyes fell -before that direct gaze. "Let us go, into the library," said -Ainsleigh tranquilly, "we may as well have a long talk before I -am arrested."</p> - -<p>Tidman jumped. "Arrested," he cried staring.</p> - -<p>Something in his looks, made Rodgers take the cue thus offered, -"I may have to arrest Mr. Ainsleigh for the murder," he said -significantly.</p> - -<p>"But that's rubbish, why should he murder Miss Wharf?"</p> - -<p>"On account of the fan," put in Rupert grimly.</p> - -<p>"I'll never believe that--never," said Tidman vigorously.</p> - -<p>Rodgers looked at him sideways. "Well you see," said he in a -cheerful voice. "Miss Wharf was strangled with a red and yellow -silk tie, belonging to Mr. Ainsleigh."</p> - -<p>"I know, and I saw him place that tie in his overcoat pocket."</p> - -<p>"You say that. Quite so. Mr. Ainsleigh might have taken it out -again."</p> - -<p>"No. He couldn't have done that. The attendant came back, and -remained in the room all the rest of the evening."</p> - -<p>"How do you know that?"</p> - -<p>"Because I returned to the cloak-room to see if Mr. Ainsleigh -was there. I learned from the attendant," said the Major -volubly, "that Mr. Ainsleigh and Mr. Burgh had been fighting--"</p> - -<p>"Oh," said the detective, "so Mr. Burgh knew of the tie also?"</p> - -<p>"He did not," put in young Ainsleigh rapidly, "he came in, after -I put the tie away. He insulted me, about--about a lady," said -Rupert hesitating, "and I knocked him down twice."</p> - -<p>"Didn't the attendant interfere?"</p> - -<p>"No. Burgh threw him a shilling and told him to cut. I ordered -the man to stay, but he obeyed Burgh. Then we had a row, and I -went away."</p> - -<p>"Leaving Mr. Burgh in the cloak-room?" asked Rodgers shrewdly.</p> - -<p>"Yes. But he knew nothing about the tie. He could not have taken -it. I am sure he didn't."</p> - -<p>The detective smiled in a puzzled manner. "Upon my word Mr. -Ainsleigh, you defend everyone. First Tung-yu, now Mr. Burgh, -who is your enemy."</p> - -<p>"I have so many enemies," said Rupert with a shrug, "Tung-yu -told me that Burgh and Forge and Major Tidman were my enemies."</p> - -<p>"That's a lie on Tung-yu's part," chimed in the Major angrily. -"I am not your enemy."</p> - -<p>Rupert turned on him quickly. "Prove it then," he said, sharply, -"by stating that I was with you on the beach last night after -eleven."</p> - -<p>"Oh, oh," cried Rodgers smiling, "so you can prove an alibi -after all, Mr. Ainsleigh."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Rupert shortly. "But I did not wish to speak, until -I heard what Major Tidman had to say."</p> - -<p>Rodgers shook his head. "You have too nice a sense of honour," -was his remark, "or else you are very deep."</p> - -<p>Rupert did not reply. His eyes were fixed on the Major's face, -which changed to various colours. "You knew my father well -Tidman?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. We were old friends--good friends," faltered the other.</p> - -<p>"Do you know how he died?"</p> - -<p>"No I do not." The Major wiped his face, "I can safely say I do -not."</p> - -<p>"But you know he was murdered."</p> - -<p>The Major started. "Who told you that?"</p> - -<p>"Tung-yu, and you know Tung-yu, who might have explained the -circumstances of my father's death to you."</p> - -<p>"He did not," said Tidman earnestly, "but I heard that Mr. -Ainsleigh did die by violence. I don't know under what circumstances."</p> - -<p>"This is all very well gentlemen," said the detective, "but it -does not help me."</p> - -<p>"It may help you, Mr. Rodgers. The murder of Miss Wharf is connected -with this fan, and the Major can tell you about his Canton adventure -which has to do with it also."</p> - -<p>Major Tidman turned grey and his face looked fearful, "I came to -tell you, Rupert," he said trying to be calm, "but it won't help -this man," he nodded towards Rodgers, "to find the assassin."</p> - -<p>"We'll see about that," replied Rodgers briskly, "let us go in -and sit down. The fan is at the bottom of this business, and -when I learn all about it, I may know how to act."</p> - -<p>The Major shrugged his plump shoulders and walked towards the -open French window. When he passed through to the library, the -detective and Ainsleigh followed. In a few minutes, they were -comfortably seated. Rupert asked the two if they would have some -refreshments, and receiving a reply in the affirmative, rang the -bell. "Though mind you, Mr. Ainsleigh," said Rodgers, "this -drinking a glass of wine doesn't stop me from arresting you, if -I see fit."</p> - -<p>"You can set your mind at rest," said Rupert coldly, "I have no -wish to tie you down to a bread and salt treaty. Some wine, Mrs. -Petley."</p> - -<p>The housekeeper, who had entered, was as plump as ever, but her -face looked yellow, and old, and haggard, and there was a -terrified look in her eyes. In strange contrast to her usual -volubility, she did not speak a word, but dropping a curtsey, -went out.</p> - -<p>"That woman looks scared," said the detective,</p> - -<p>"She <i>is</i> scared," assented Rupert, "we have a ghost here, Mr. -Rodgers--the ghost of a monk, and Mrs. Petley thought she saw it -last night."</p> - -<p>"Really," said the detective with good-humoured contempt, "she -<i>thought</i> she saw a ghost. What nonsense."</p> - -<p>"No, sir. It ain't nonsense."</p> - -<p>It was the housekeeper who spoke. Having seen the Major coming up the -avenue, she knew that he would require his usual glass of port, and -therefore had prepared the tray, while the conversation was taking place -on the terrace. This accounted for her quick return, and she set down -the tray with the jingling glasses and decanter as she spoke. "It was -a ghost, sure enough," said Mrs. Petley, when the small table was -placed before the three gentlemen, "the ghost of Abbot Raoul. I've seen -him times and again, but never so plainly as last night. It was between -eleven and twelve," added Mrs. Petley without waiting for permission to -speak, "and I sat up for Master Rupert here. I took a walk outside, it -being fine and dry, and like a fool, I went in to the abbey."</p> - -<p>"Why shouldn't you go there?" asked Rodgers.</p> - -<p>"Because Abbot Raoul always walks where he was burnt," replied -Mrs. Petley, "and there he was sure enough. No moonlight could I -see, but the stars gave a faint light, and he was near the -square--the accursed square where they burnt the poor soul. I -gave one screech as he swept past in his long robes and a cowl, -and when I come to myself on the damp grass, he was gone. I -hurried in and told Petley, who came out and searched, but bless -you," went on the housekeeper with contempt, "he couldn't find a -thing that had gone back to the other world--not he."</p> - -<p>"It was a dream, Mrs. Petley," said Rupert soothingly.</p> - -<p>"No, sir. Trouble is coming to the Ainsleighs, as always does -when the Abbot walks. And this morning I went out and found -this," and Mrs. Petley, fishing in her capacious pocket, -produced a small stick which smelt like cinnamon. Round it was a -roll of scarlet paper inscribed with queer characters. Rupert -stretched out his hand to take it, but the detective anticipated -him.</p> - -<p>"It's a joss-stick," said Rodgers. "I've seen them in the -Whitechapel opium dens. Humph! Why should the ghost of an old -monk use a joss-stick, like the Chinese?"</p> - -<p>Before anyone could reply, Mrs. Petley gave a cry, "I told you -trouble was coming, Master Rupert, dear," she said with the -tears streaming from her fat face, "and anything to do with that -weary Chiner where your poor pa lost his life always do bring -trouble. Oh, dear me," she put her silk apron to her eyes and -walked slowly out of the room. "I must tell my John. He may be -able to say what's coming, as he have a gift of prophecy, that -he have."</p> - -<p>When Mrs. Petley closed the door after her, the three men looked -at one another. "Do you believe in this ghost, Mr. Ainsleigh?" -asked the detective, examining the joss-stick.</p> - -<p>Rupert did not give a direct answer. "I don't know what to -believe, Mr. Rodgers. Our family traditions have always pointed -to the walking of of Abbot Raoul before trouble, and it might be -so. I have never seen the ghost myself, though."</p> - -<p>"Your ghost is a Chinaman," said the detective, tapping the -stick.</p> - -<p>"But what would a Chinaman be doing in the cloisters?"</p> - -<p>"Ah. That's what we've got to find out. There was a yacht in -Marport Harbour last night, which came at midday, and departed -in a hurry after midnight. Burgh says he believes Tung-yu went -away in her, after committing the murder."</p> - -<p>"Even if he did," said Rupert, calmly, "that does not show how -the joss-stick came here, or why a Chinaman should be masquerading as -a monk, for that, I take it, is your meaning."</p> - -<p>"It is. I believe there were other Chinamen on board that boat," -was the detective's reply. "Perhaps this man Hwei came to the -Abbey."</p> - -<p>"He might have come," said Ainsleigh, carelessly.</p> - -<p>"Or Tung-yu," went on Rodgers.</p> - -<p>"No," said the Major who had kept silent all this time, but had -observed everything, "it was not Tung-yu's day."</p> - -<p>Rodgers turned on him. "What do you mean by that?"</p> - -<p>The Major settled himself more comfortably in his chair. "I'll -tell you my adventure at Canton first," he said, "and then you -may understand. I can't get to the bottom of the matter myself, -for why Lo-Keong should have a private god of good luck is more -than I can tell."</p> - -<p>The others looked at him, amazed at this queer speech. "What is -this private god?" asked the detective.</p> - -<p>"I don't know, save that it is called Kwang-ho."</p> - -<p>Rupert started. "That was the god mentioned in the -advertisement."</p> - -<p>"Yes, so it was," replied the Major, quietly, "but just you wait -and hear my story. It may lead to something being discovered."</p> - -<p>"One moment, Mr. Ainsleigh. Show me the advertisement."</p> - -<p>Rupert rose, and going to the writing-desk took therefrom the -slip he had cut from the paper. Rodgers read it, quietly. "I -see. Here is mentioned the doom of the god, Kwang-ho."</p> - -<p>"Lo-Keong's private god of good luck," said the Major.</p> - -<p>"Are there private as well as public gods in China?"</p> - -<p>Tidman looked perplexed. "I can't say. I know nothing. Wait and -hear what I can tell," he settled himself again and began to -speak rapidly. "I was in Canton seven years ago," said he, "I -had made my money here, and didn't intend to travel again. But -Miss Wharf persuaded me to go to China, to see if I could find -out why Markham Ainsleigh had been killed."</p> - -<p>Rupert looked astonished. "Why? she hated my father."</p> - -<p>"She loved him first and hated him later," said Tidman, quietly, -"a fine woman was poor Miss Wharf. I was in love with her--"</p> - -<p>"I never knew that Tidman."</p> - -<p>"I was though," said the Major, "and Miss Pewsey hated me for -being in love with her. I spoke badly of Miss Wharf to you -Ainsleigh because I was angered with her--"</p> - -<p>"You called her a mass of granite."</p> - -<p>"And so she is," said the Major angrily, "she promised to marry -me if I went to China and learned how your father came by his -death. I did go, but I came back without learning more, than -that he was murdered, so Miss Wharf refused to keep her promise. -I believe it was that Pewsey cat's fault."</p> - -<p>"Well--well--go on," said Rodgers looking at his watch, "all this -business is very round-about. I want to get on with my work."</p> - -<p>"This may have to do with it," said the Major smartly. "Well, I -was in Canton, and intended to go up to the Kan-su province to -make enquiries. I met Forge in Canton. He had just come from -Pekin, and showed me round. He laughed at the idea that Markham -had died by violence, and said it was dysentery."</p> - -<p>"So he always said," murmured Rupert, who listened intently.</p> - -<p>"And told a lie," retorted Tidman, "however I believed him, but -all the same I intended to make enquiries at the mine of the -Hwei River in the Kan-su province. But I stopped in Canton with -Forge for a time, as he said he would go up with me. In some -way, the fact of my trying to learn the truth about Markam's -death got about."</p> - -<p>"No doubt Forge told it to others," suggested Rupert.</p> - -<p>"I don't know. I never got to the bottom of the business. But -one day a half-starved Chinaman stopped me in the street, and -told me he could explain, if I came with him. I went to a -miserable house in a low part of the city. The man closed the -door, and then drew a fan from his breast--"</p> - -<p>"The fan in question?" asked Rodgers making a note.</p> - -<p>"Yes--the very article. He told me that this fan would reveal -the truth, and offered it to me."</p> - -<p>"For money?"</p> - -<p>"No. He refused to take a penny. He seemed anxious to get rid of -the fan, and kept looking round everywhere as though he thought -someone might be listening. I asked him how the fan could tell -about the death, but all he said, was, that it could."</p> - -<p>"But in what way?" asked Ainsleigh, puzzled.</p> - -<p>"I really don't know," said the Major, with an air of fatigue. -"I am telling you all I know. I took the fan and cleared, and -got home safely enough. Then I hid away the fan--where it -doesn't matter; but I have travelled so much that I always keep -a secret place for money and valuables. I placed the fan there, -though I really didn't know what to make of the matter. After a -few days I came to my rooms to find that everything had been -ripped open and smashed and searched--"</p> - -<p>"And the fan was gone," said Rodgers.</p> - -<p>"Not it. They--whosoever they were who searched, could not find -my hiding place. Well, a day or two later, as I was walking -along the street at night, I was seized up and gagged, and -carried to some low Chinese house. There a Chinaman examined me, -and asked me what I had done with the fan--"</p> - -<p>"What sort of a man was he?" asked Rupert, "would you know him -again?"</p> - -<p>The Major looked doubtful. "Chinamen are all so alike," he said, -"but this chap had only one eye, and was a villainous looking -beast. He declared that he knew the first Celestial had given me -the fan, and that he wanted it. I refused to give it up. He took -out a knife, and said he would slice me up. Oh," broke off the -Major looking grey and old, "however shall I forget that -terrible moment, Ainsleigh. Do you wonder that I shudder to -relate this adventure, and that I refuse to speak of it. I was -in that miserable place, in the midst of a horde of Chinamen, -bound and helpless, with a knife at my throat. I never did care -for death," said Tidman boldly, "but to be cut slowly into -slices, was more than I could stand."</p> - -<p>"Why didn't you give up the fan then?" asked Rodgers.</p> - -<p>"Because I made up my mind that slicing or no slicing, I wasn't -going to be bullied by a lot of heathen devils. The position was -awful, but I'm an Englishman, and I resolved to hold off to the -last moment, I dare say I would have given up the fan after all, -as the one-eyed brute began to cut me up, I lost a big toe--"</p> - -<p>"Oh," said Rupert, while Rodgers shook his head, "did this man -cut a toe off?"</p> - -<p>"Yes--my big toe. I was about to give in, when suddenly a small -Chinese boy dressed in red--queerly enough, as the Chinese don't -go in much for that colour--appeared and said something. The -one-eyed Chinaman scowled, and put his knife away. Then he -cleared out with the boy and his other friends and I was left -alone. Then with the loss of blood, and the pain of my toe I -fainted."</p> - -<p>"No wonder," said Ainsleigh, "I don't blame you. Well?"</p> - -<p>"Well, then I came to my senses in my own room. Forge was with -me and said that he had traced me to the hovel and had rescued -me with the aid of the Canton police. He declared that I would -have to leave Canton at once, or this one-eyed Chinaman would be -after me. I agreed, and with Forge I went that very day on board -a homeward-bound steamer. I thanked Forge for having helped me, -and he asked if I would give him the fan as a reward. I refused, -as I wanted to know how it could tell about Markham's death. -Forge said that if I kept possession of the fan, the one-eyed -Chinaman would track me to England and kill me. But I held out, -till I got to Marport. Then I grew weary of Forge worrying me, -particularly as he promised to do what he could to learn the -secret of the fan, and help me to marry Miss Wharf. So he took -the fan, and then, as you know, Ainsleigh, he took it out to -China again, where it fell into the hands of a pirate from whom -Clarence Burgh received it."</p> - -<p>"But how did it get from Dr. Forge's hands into those of the -pirate?" asked Rodgers curiously.</p> - -<p>"I don't know; you can ask Forge. He lives here?"</p> - -<p>The detective took a note of the doctor's address. "That's all -right," he said, "there's no doubt the poor lady was killed to -procure this fan. Did you tell her of your adventure?"</p> - -<p>"No," said the Major with a shudder. "I merely said that I could -not learn how Markham was killed and she refused to marry me. I -did not care about speaking of the adventure. You know how the -fan came into Miss Wharf's possession Mr. Rodgers?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," the detective nodded, "Mr. Burgh told me, but I'll have -another talk with him. Humph. It seems to me that one of these -Chinamen killed Miss Wharf, and that the tie was used to lay the -blame on Mr. Ainsleigh here."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Ainsleigh drawing a breath, "I am glad to hear that -you don't suspect me, but I can't think that Tung-yu stole the -tie, even though he did see me place it in the coat."</p> - -<p>"I'll look after that cloak-room attendant," said Rodgers, -making another note, "and he'll have to give an account of -himself. But I don't see what this private god Kwang-ho has to -do with the matter."</p> - -<p>"I can only tell you this," said Major Tidman, "I had a cold -last night and stopped in my room. But I heard that Tung-yu was -down the stairs, and, as I knew him in Canton, I went to have a -look for him. He was a pleasant companion in Canton."</p> - -<p>"Did you tell him about the fan and your adventure?"</p> - -<p>"No, Ainsleigh, and I was annoyed that you should have let slip -that I had such an adventure, I don't want to be mixed up in the -matter. Tung-yu is nice enough, but if he has to do with the fan -he is quite capable of turning nasty and making things unpleasant for -me. But I mentioned about his advertisement, and how I came to know of -it through you. He confessed that Lo-Keong had lost the fan and wished -it back again, as it had to do with some family business. The finding -of it was referred to the god Kwang-ho, and the priest of the god, said -that two men were to search for the fan."</p> - -<p>"Hwei and Tung-yu."</p> - -<p>"Yes. They were to search on alternate days. If Hwei found it he -was to kill the person from whom he got it. If it was Tung-yu's -day he was to give the fortunate person five thousand pounds."</p> - -<p>"And whose day was it on the night of the crime?"</p> - -<p>"Hwei's," said the Major, "that was why Tung-yu could not buy -the fan when Miss Wharf offered it to him."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_12" href="#div1Ref_12">CHAPTER XII</a></h4> -<h5>At the Inquest</h5> -<br> - -<p>When Mr. Orlando Rodgers of the C.I.D. rolled into the Superintendent's -office the next day to relate what he had heard, he was not so glib -as usual. After sleeping on the extraordinary tale he had heard from -Major Tidman, and considering the fragments imparted by Clarence Burgh, -and young Ainsleigh, he came to look on the matter as something to do -with the Arabian Nights. The fan which the deceased lady had carried -at the ball was certainly gone, and the whole of these marvellous -matters connected with China, hung on the fan. But Miss Wharf may -have been murdered for some other reason, and Rodgers was half -inclined, when looking into the case in the cold searching morning -light, to abandon the fan theory. But he delayed doing this until -he had consulted with Superintendent Young, who looked after the -Marport police.</p> - -<p>"What do you think of it?" he asked, when his tale was told. The -Superintendent was a tall thin man with a cold eye and a -distrustful manner. He believed only half he saw, and absolutely -nothing he heard. Consequently when Rodgers ended, and his -opinion was asked, he sniffed disdainfully, and put on his most -official expression. "It's a fairy tale," said Young in his dry -voice, which was like the creaking of a rusty wheel.</p> - -<p>"Well now, the woman was murdered."</p> - -<p>"But not for this fan, Mr. Rodgers."</p> - -<p>"Then what motive do you think--?"</p> - -<p>"I don't undertake to say, sir. Let us gather all the evidence -we can and submit it to an intelligent jury at the inquest. It -takes place to-day at the public house near the corner of the -Cliff Road and not far from Ivy Lodge. When the jury has -inspected the body, it will sit with the Coroner at the Bull's -Head."</p> - -<p>"A Chinaman calling himself Tung-yu was at the ball you know," -said Rodgers, unwilling to abandon the theory in spite of his -doubts.</p> - -<p>"Where is he now?"</p> - -<p>"I can't say. Mr. Christopher Walker brought him down, and I -went to see that young gentleman before he departed for business -this morning. He told me that Tung-yu was a clerk in the same -firm of tea merchants as he was employed with, and had not been -at the office since he left to come to the ball. Mr. Walker last -saw Tung-yu at the door of the hotel, looking out across the -pier."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Young drily.</p> - -<p>"That yacht was there," went on Rodgers, "and showed a green -light so it's just possible that Mr. Burgh may be right and that -the Chinaman did steam away in her."</p> - -<p>"Well then, search for the yacht."</p> - -<p>"I intend to, and when I find her--"</p> - -<p>"Mr. Tung-yu will have an explanation. No, Mr. Rodgers," said -the Superintendent rising, "I can't believe all this business is -about a trifle such as this fan. Some more serious motive is at -the bottom of this murder. Now Mr. Ainsleigh's tie--"</p> - -<p>"I can explain that," said the detective, and he did.</p> - -<p>Young listened disbelievingly. "So he says," was his comment.</p> - -<p>"But I don't think Mr. Ainsleigh is the sort of man to commit a -brutal crime like this, and in so public a place."</p> - -<p>"Everyone's capable of committing a crime if there's anything to -be gained," was the Superintendent's philosophy, "and Mr. -Ainsleigh's very agreeable manner with which you appear to be -struck, may be a mask to hide an evil nature."</p> - -<p>"Oh rubbish; begging your pardon Mr. Young. Look at this -joss-stick," and Rodgers held it out, "that was found in the -ruins of Royabay Abbey, so you see some Chinaman must be mixed -up in the job. I am beginning to believe that the tale may be -true after all."</p> - -<p>"It's too wild--too far-fetched. I can't believe it."</p> - -<p>"Because you haven't imagination."</p> - -<p>"We don't want imagination in this matter, Mr. Rodgers. Facts -sir."</p> - -<p>Rodgers got up and put on his hat. "Well, we'll not be able to -agree, I can see that," said he, "and as the case is in my -hands, I am going away to look after evidence."</p> - -<p>"Why not arrest Mr. Ainsleigh?"</p> - -<p>"Because the evidence against him is not sufficiently strong," -the detective sat down again. "See here Mr. Superintendent, if I -so chose I could manufacture a case against three of these -people at least, and give it to them pretty strong too. -Supposing, for the sake of theorising mind, we say Mr. Ainsleigh -killed the woman--"</p> - -<p>"Which I am inclined to think he did, on the tie's evidence."</p> - -<p>"Very good, I can show you how strong you can make the case -against him, Mr. Young. This young man was at the ball, he hated -the deceased and she hated him on account of the difficulty of -the marriage with Miss Rayner. Ainsleigh wants money badly, and -might have killed the old woman to get the fan and sell it for -five thousand pounds. Also by marrying Miss Rayner who will -inherit Miss Wharf's money, he gets rid of a mortgage that's -troubling him. What was easier for him, than to pretend to put -the silk scarf in his coat pocket, so as to blind those who saw -him do it, and then to lure Miss Wharf out on to those steps and -scrag her. Then he could pass the fan to Tung-yu who wanted it, -and arrange about the money being paid. After that and when -Tung-yu had gone off to the yacht, Mr. Ainsleigh could slip back -into the ball-room and assist in finding the body. And remember, -he says, he was strolling on the beach smoking, between the -hours of eleven and twelve, and won't prove an alibi, though -between ourselves I think he can through Major Tidman."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Young dryly, "doesn't this go to prove his guilt."</p> - -<p>"I can prove Tung-yu's in the same way," said Rodger's coolly, -"he was in the cloak-room when Mr. Ainsleigh placed the scarf in -the coat. He could easily have stolen it, as these Chinamen are -clever thieves, and have then lured Miss Wharf on to the steps -under the pretence of treating about the fan. Suddenly he slips -the scarf round her throat before she can cry out, goes down the -steps and on to the beach where a boat is waiting for him, and -by now, may be on his way to his employer the Mandarin Lo-Keong."</p> - -<p>"It sounds feasible I admit, but--"</p> - -<p>"One moment," went on Rodgers eagerly, "quite as strong a case -can be made out against Major Tidman. He did not come to the -ball, but lurked in his room all the evening. Yet he came down -to see Tang-yu--what about?--to sell the fan of course--"</p> - -<p>"You can't prove that."</p> - -<p>"Am I proving anything? I am simply showing you what strong -cases can be built up out of nothing. Well then, Tidman sees the -scarf put in the coat by a young man, whom he knows is at enmity -with the deceased, and takes it out again. He gets Miss Wharf to -come on to the terrace--any pretext will do, as he is her lover -and her old friend. There, he strangles her on the steps and -taking the fan, passes it along to the Chinaman who makes for -the yacht. So you see if I chose I can build up a case against -each of these three gentlemen, and each equally strong. Why if I -had a mind to entangle young Mr. Burgh in the affair I could do -so."</p> - -<p>"But Tung-yu, Mr. Burgh and Major Tidman might prove alibi's."</p> - -<p>"So they might, and Mr. Ainsleigh might do so also."</p> - -<p>"He has not done so yet and if he was in danger, he would."</p> - -<p>"Quite so," said Rodgers quickly, and seeing the slip, "and his -very reluctance to prove an alibi--for surely someone besides -Tidman must have seen him on the beach--shows me he is innocent. -However this isn't business Mr. Young, so I'll go and see what -evidence I can gather."</p> - -<p>So to Dr. Forge went the detective, feeling very bewildered over -the case. And small blame to him, for the matter was surely most -perplexing. It is only in novels that the heaven-born detective -(in the confidence of the author) displays wonderful cleverness -in finding clues where none exist. But a flesh and blood worker -like Rodgers had to puzzle out the matter in real life as best -he could. He was not at all sanguine that he would run down the -assassin of Miss Wharf. On the face of it, Rupert Ainsleigh -appeared to be guilty, and Rodgers doubted his guilt for this -very reason. "I believe one of these Chinaman did it," said -Rodgers as he rang Forge's bell.</p> - -<p>Dr. Forge was within, and consented at once to see the -detective. When the two were in the Chinese room, Rodgers -unfolded himself, and asked Forge, who knew the Chinese -character, what he thought.</p> - -<p>"My dear sir, the case is plain," said Forge calmly, "Tung-yu -gave Hwei the office, and lured Miss Wharf on to the steps where -Hwei strangled her with the scarf stolen by Tung-yu so as to -throw suspicion on Mr. Ainsleigh."</p> - -<p>"Humph. It looks like it," said Rodgers musingly. "So you -believe this wild story of Major Tidman's."</p> - -<p>"I <i>know</i> it is true," said Forge quietly. "I helped him to get free -as he related. I was a partner with Mr. Markham Ainsleigh in the mine -on the Hwei River. I went to Pekin about a concession, and while I was -away, Mr. Ainsleigh died of dysentery. As to the fan,--I can't exactly -say. I never knew of this private god business, but it's the kind of -thing Lo-Keong might invent. He is a very superstitious man, and like -Napoleon, he believes in his star. He was concerned in the Boxer -rebellion, but afterwards he joined the Court party of the Dowager -Empress who is now all powerful. I never saw the fan in his hand, but -it might have to do with a secret."</p> - -<p>"What kind of a secret?"</p> - -<p>"I can't say unless it has to do with Lo-Keong's political -fortunes. He has many enemies, who envy his rapid rise. These -enemies probably stole the fan to ruin him. How this coolie, who -gave it to Major Tidman, got hold of it I don't know. But he was -glad to get rid of it, which makes me think the story of the -alternate days and the blessing of the god Kwang-ho might be -true. The Chinese do not think as we do Mr. Rodgers, and have -their own way of settling these matters. The attack on Tidman, -when he had the fan in Canton, shows clearer than ever, that it -was wanted by Lo-Keong's enemies. He gave it to me--"</p> - -<p>"Why did you want it?"</p> - -<p>"For two reasons," said Forge quietly, "in the first place from -what happened to Tidman I saw that while he held the fan he was -in danger--"</p> - -<p>"But then you were in the same danger," objected the detective.</p> - -<p>"I was, and I expected trouble. But I was better able to deal -with the matter than Tidman as I understand the Chinese -character. I got the fan in London and locked it up in yonder -cabinet, I thought it was there all the time, and when I found -it gone, I was quite annoyed, as Major Tidman will tell you. -Then I recollected that I had taken it back to China to give to -Lo-Keong. That is my second reason Mr. Rodgers. I knew I could -get a concession I wanted through Lo-Keong's influence, and I -did. So the fan went back to him."</p> - -<p>"And you forgot that you had given it."</p> - -<p>"I did. It seems strange to you, but as I told Tidman and Miss -Pewsey, my memory is impaired by opium smoking. However, that is -the story of the fan, and Burgh got it from the hand of the dead -pirate. How the pirate came possessed of it I can't say. -Apparently Lo-Keong lost it again."</p> - -<p>"He couldn't have valued it much, if he lost it so often."</p> - -<p>"He valued it at five thousand pounds and more," said the Doctor -dryly, "how it was lost I can't say. I may find out when I go to -China again, in a few months. Lo-Keong is in Pekin, and, as we -are friends, he will tell me, and show me the fan again."</p> - -<p>"Ah. Then you believe----"</p> - -<p>"I believe it is on its way to Lo-Keong, and that Tung-yu and -Hwei came together down here to get it. When only one was on the -spot this god business of alternate days made the matter -difficult. With both together, the owner of the fan was bound to -be killed or made rich. Unfortunately for Miss Wharf the day or -night was Hwei's and he carried out the order of the god -Kwang-ho by strangling her."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Rodgers rising, "all I can say is that I'm glad I -do not live in China. How much of this is to be made public."</p> - -<p>"My advice to you is to make nothing public, or as little as you -can," said Dr. Forge dryly, "you see how persistent these -Chinamen are. You make trouble and you may be killed also. Your -being in England won't save you any more than it saved Miss -Wharf, poor soul."</p> - -<p>"I shall do my duty in spite of all," said Rodgers coolly, "I am -not going to be frightened by a couple of Chinese brutes."</p> - -<p>"Very clever brutes," said Forge softly, but Rodgers took no -notice and marched away with his head in the air. Come what may, -he was determined to punish the assassin of Miss Wharf and if it -was Hwei, the man would have to be caught.</p> - -<p>"I'll go to Pekin myself for him," said Rodgers angrily, "I'm -not going to be bested by these barbarians."</p> - -<p>Little that was new came to his hand before the inquest, which -was a comparatively tame affair. The jury inspected the body and -then adjourned to the Bull's Head to hear the case. Rodgers set -forth what evidence he had gained, but touched as lightly as -possible on the Chinese business. He called Dr. Forge who -deposed to having examined the body and asserted that Miss Wharf -had been killed between eleven and twelve. She must have been -strangled almost instantaneously as, had she cried out, she -would have been overheard by those on the terrace. This -evidence caused but little sensation.</p> - -<p>When Rupert was called however, all were excited. He deposed as -to the scarf which he had received from Olivia, and said what he -had done with it. He declared that he had been walking on the -beach smoking, and only returned to the ball-room shortly before -midnight when the body was discovered. He stated that he had -spoken to Major Tidman on the beach. And thus proved an alibi -clearly enough.</p> - -<p>The rest of the evidence was not very important. Chris Walker -told how he had brought Tung-yu to the ball and handed in a slip -of advertisement, and then Rupert was recalled to tell what he -knew. Tidman related his interview with Tung-yu, and described -how both had seen Rupert place the tie in the overcoat pocket. -Then it appeared that the whole of the case turned on the fact -that the scarf had been removed from the pocket. No one knew. -Miss Pewsey said that Rupert took it: but her evidence was so -obviously prejudiced that the jury would not believe all she -said.</p> - -<p>Lotty Dean who was at the ball, declared that she saw Miss Wharf -cross the terrace about eleven and go towards the floral arch on -the other side of which were the steps. She was quite alone, and -seemed tranquil, "she was fanning herself at the moment," said -the witness.</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said the Coroner, "then she had the fan at that time."</p> - -<p>"It was gone when we found the body," put in Miss Pewsey, and -was rebuked for speaking out of order.</p> - -<p>The interest of the case turned on the evidence of Dalham, the -attendant in the cloak-room. He was a dissipated-looking man, -and gave his evidence very unwillingly. Owing to his having left -the cloak-room at Burgh's request, Rupert, as he threatened to -do, had reported him to the manager and Mr. Dalham had been -dismissed. This loss of his situation did not make him any the -sweeter towards Ainsleigh, but all the same, he could not state -on his oath, that the young man had returned to take the tie -again from the pocket. Nor had the Chinaman, or Major Tidman -returned. Dalham knew the Major well, and as he phrased it, -"would have spotted him at once," while the gay dress of Tung-yu -would have been equally conspicuous had he attempted to meddle -with a coat which did not belong to him.</p> - -<p>"You did not leave the room again?" asked the Coroner.</p> - -<p>"I only left it once," said Dalham. "Because Mr. Burgh and Mr. -Ainsleigh wanted to fight."</p> - -<p>"We've heard about that, and it has nothing to do with the -case," said the coroner. "But you were in the room the rest of -the evening?"</p> - -<p>"I've said so a dozen times sir," growled the badgered man. -"Lots of people came for their things and some late arrivals -left theirs but I was at my post all the time, except that once, -when I left Mr. Burgh with Mr. Ainsleigh. I never saw Major -Tidman nor Mr. Ainsleigh nor the Chinaman touch the cloak."</p> - -<p>The coroner called Burgh and asked him if he was alone in the -room at any time. Clarence frankly admitted that he was. "But as -I never saw Ainsleigh place the tie in the coat and never knew -that he possessed such a tie, I don't see how you can accuse -me." Much more evidence was given, but it all led to no result. -Finally the jury, having heard much more of the Chinese story -than Rodgers approved of, brought in a verdict against Tung-yu. -Hwei, they could say nothing about, as he had not been present. -But Tung-yu wanted the fan and the fan had disappeared, while -Tung-yu was also absent. "Wilful murder against Tung-yu," was -the verdict, and on hearing the evidence, and on reading all -that had been said in the papers, the general public agreed with -the verdict. Under the circumstances no other could have been -given. Only one person dissented.</p> - -<p>"It was that Ainsleigh who killed dearest Sophia," said Miss -Pewsey.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_13" href="#div1Ref_13">CHAPTER XIII</a></h4> -<h5>The Will</h5> -<br> - -<p>The funeral of Miss Wharf was attended by many people. Of course -all her friends came with the usual wreaths of flowers, but -owing to the tragic circumstances of her death, many strangers -were present. She was buried in the family vault with much -ceremony, and then the mourners departed talking of the crime. -It was the general opinion that Tung-yu,--who had not yet been -heard of,--was responsible for the death, and that he had sailed -away in the Stormy Petrel. Rodgers having returned to Town after -the inquest was making inquiries about the yacht. When he -discovered her, he hoped to learn particulars as to the flight -of Tung-yu.</p> - -<p>These many days Rupert had not seen Olivia, although he had -called at Ivy Lodge. But Miss Pewsey, who took charge of -everything in her usual meddlesome way, would not allow him to -be admitted. Olivia did not even know of his visit. She remained -in her room, and mourned the death of her aunt. Miss Wharf had -certainly been a good friend to her, but she could not be said -to have been a kindly aunt. All the same Olivia's conscience -pricked her, for having secretly married Rupert. As she now -thought, she should have told her aunt. But the marriage was -decided upon in a hurry, and when the girl had been more than -usually piqued by the insulting speeches of Miss Wharf. However, -the old woman was dead, and Olivia, little as she loved her, -wept for her tragic end.</p> - -<p>Miss Rayner, during her mourning, read the evidence given at the -inquest, and wondered why she had not been called as a witness, -if only to prove that she had given the scarf to Rupert. She -thought it extraordinary that Tung-yu should have used the tie -to strangle Miss Wharf, and could not think how it came into his -possession. After some thought she concluded, that he had taken -the scarf from Rupert's pocket, so as to implicate him in the -crime, and had bribed Dalham the attendant, who certainly was -not above being bribed, to say nothing about the matter. If this -were the case, Dalham would probably blackmail Tung-yu for the -rest of his life, as he was just the kind of rascal to make -money in shady ways. Then it occurred to Olivia that as Tung-yu -had sailed for China, presumably in the yacht, Dalham would not -be able to make a milch cow of him. However, whether Tung-yu was -guilty or not, she cared little. Rupert was safe, in spite of -the evidence of the scarf, and so long as he escaped being -arrested, the girl felt perfectly happy.</p> - -<p>After the funeral Olivia came downstairs again, and found Miss -Pewsey looking after things as usual. The little old maid was -most polite, and it seemed as though she was now anxious to make -much of Olivia, thinking she would inherit the money. Miss -Pewsey had not a shilling to bless herself with, and for years -had lived on the bounty of Miss Wharf. Now that Olivia was to be -the mistress of Ivy Lodge, Miss Pewsey appeared desirous of -making herself pleasant, so that she might remain. Olivia saw -through her newly born politeness, and, although she disliked -the woman, was not averse to her remaining for a time at least.</p> - -<p>"I should be glad for you to remain altogether," explained -Olivia when matters came to be discussed, "but of course now -that my aunt is gone I may marry Mr. Ainsleigh."</p> - -<p>"Oh he'll marry you quick enough for your money," snapped Miss -Pewsey, "not but what he's a handsome young fellow, but--"</p> - -<p>"Don't run down Rupert," interrupted Olivia flushing, "I love -him. You have never been just to him."</p> - -<p>Miss Pewsey coughed. "I don't think he is a very good young -man."</p> - -<p>"I hate good young men," said Olivia. "Mr. Chris Walker is one -of those who never cost his mother a single pang. Why my aunt -should wish me to marry such a milksop, I can't understand."</p> - -<p>"Well then, why not marry Clarence?" asked the old maid, "he is -not a milksop and has cost his mother--poor soul many a pang. -And he loves you dearly, Olivia. I should think you would be -able to live very nicely on five hundred a year and with this -house rent free."</p> - -<p>"If I come into possession of the property that is."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I am sure you will," said Miss Pewsey effusively. "To whom -should dear Sophia leave the money, if not to you, her nearest -relative."</p> - -<p>"She might have left it to you, for she loved you, while she -only tolerated me."</p> - -<p>Miss Pewsey threw up her mittened hands with a cry of dismay. -"Oh my dear there's no chance of my being so lucky. Sophia was -very close about money matters--"</p> - -<p>"Surely not with you. Miss Pewsey. She always consulted you in -everything. You had great influence over her."</p> - -<p>"If so, I made no use of it for my own benefit," said Miss -Pewsey with great dignity. "Sophia never consulted me about her -wills. I know she made several, and dictated the last just a -week before her death. While she was confined to her room with -that cold you know, Olivia. I suppose," Miss Pewsey tittered, "I -suppose she wanted to be amused."</p> - -<p>"I shouldn't think making one's will was amusing," said Olivia -dryly, "however, the lawyer will be here this afternoon to read -the will, and we shall know if I inherit."</p> - -<p>"I am sure you will get the money. And dear, you won't forget -your poor Lavinia," purred Miss Pewsey. "Let me remain here with -you, until you marry Mr. Ainsleigh, or until I marry -Theophilus."</p> - -<p>"Are you really going to marry Dr. Forge?" asked Miss Rayner, -looking with secret amazement at the withered face and shrunken -form of Miss Pewsey and wondering what the doctor could see in -her to make her his wife.</p> - -<p>"I really am," said Miss Pewsey emphatically and with a shrewd -look in her eyes. "And I see that you think it is ridiculous at -my age to marry. Also, I am not handsome I know. All the same, -Theophilus is willing to make me Mrs. Forge, and I dare say I'll -grace the position well enough. It isn't love," added Miss -Pewsey, "at our age dear that would be too absurd. We are simply -entering into a partnership. He has money and I have brains."</p> - -<p>"Dr. Forge has brains also."</p> - -<p>"Not so much brain power as I have. I am not lovely I know dear, -but I am clever," and Miss Pewsey drew herself up proudly. "Why -poor dear Sophia would never have died worth so much money but -for me. Ah, if she had only given me that fan when I asked her, -she would not have been killed and I should have got five -thousand pounds and more from Tung-yu for her. But she would -keep the fan," Miss Pewsey squeezed out a tear, "and so met with -her doom. That nasty Chinaman." Miss Pewsey shook a small fist. -"I wish he could hang."</p> - -<p>Olivia looked at her. "I heard that you disagreed with the -verdict Miss Pewsey."</p> - -<p>"Meaning that I said Mr. Ainsleigh was guilty," snapped the old -maid, "well I did, dear, but I have changed my mind."</p> - -<p>Miss Rayner did not believe this, for Miss Pewsey looked very -malignant as she spoke. Her change of opinion was made, merely -to adapt herself to circumstances and to retain a home until -such time as her marriage with Forge, would enable her to -dispense with Miss Rayner's help. However, Olivia did not argue -the point. She wished to keep on good terms with the old maid, -until Rupert declared the secret marriage. Then she could go to -the Abbey, and leave Miss Pewsey behind with all other -disagreeable things.</p> - -<p>With Pastor, the solicitor of the deceased lady, came Clarence -Burgh and Dr. Forge. Lady Jabe, more manly than ever, appeared -with Chris Walker, who had taken a holiday on purpose to hear -the will read, and Lady Jabe explained this to Miss Pewsey in a -whisper. "I know that poor Sophia wished Chris to marry Olivia," -she said, "so I thought the will might state that the money -would be left to her on such a condition. I therefore made Chris -ask for a holiday, so that he might hear of his good fortune."</p> - -<p>"Let us hope it will come," aid Miss Pewsey, dryly, "but fortune -or no fortune, Olivia will stick to young Ainsleigh."</p> - -<p>"He is a nice young man, but poor."</p> - -<p>"Chris is poor also. Yet you want him to marry Olivia."</p> - -<p>"I think Chris has a better character than young Ainsleigh, who -looks as though he has a will of his own. Now Chris has none. I -have broken it, and Olivia as Mrs. Walker, can order him about -like a slave. I hope Sophia has made the will as I wished."</p> - -<p>"You'll hear in a minute. For my part," added Miss Pewsey in her -spiteful way, "I hope Sophia has left the money to Olivia, on -condition that she marries Clarence, and keeps him at home."</p> - -<p>"And keeps him on the income," corrected Lady Jabe, who did not -at all approve of this speech. "No man should live on his wife."</p> - -<p>"You propose that Chris should do so."</p> - -<p>"Indeed no. He earns quite a good salary at the office, and I -could live with the young couple to prevent waste."</p> - -<p>"I am quite sure you would," said Miss Pewsey, "if you get the -money."</p> - -<p>Lady Jabe would have made a sharp reply, as Miss Wharf being -dead, she was under no obligation to curry favour with Miss -Pewsey. But at that moment she saw Chris talking to Olivia, and -as the girl seemed deeply interested, she pointed out the two -with her cane. "I see Chris is losing no time," she murmured, -"such a lover as he is."</p> - -<p>But had she heard Chris talking, she would not have been so -happy. The young man was simply replying to a question put by -Olivia, as to the whereabouts of Tung-yu. "I really don't know -where he is, Miss Rayner," said Chris, earnestly. "There was a -police-officer at our place the other day inquiring. But Tung-yu -has not been near Kum-gum Li's since I took him to the ball. I -believe he asked me to get him an invitation so that he might -kill your aunt."</p> - -<p>"Does Kum-gum Li know anything about him," asked Olivia.</p> - -<p>"No. He came with a letter of introduction from a mandarin----"</p> - -<p>"Lo-Keong?"</p> - -<p>"No. That is not the name--let me see--the Mandarin, Hop -Sing----"</p> - -<p>"Ah," said Forge, who was listening, "Lo-Keong's rival."</p> - -<p>"I never knew that. But Kum-gum Li gave Tung-yu a place as extra -clerk when he received the letter. He knows nothing more than -what the letter explained."</p> - -<p>"And what did it explain?" asked Forge with sudden interest.</p> - -<p>"I can't tell you," replied Chris coldly, "I am not in the -confidence of my employer, and if I were," he added fixing an -indignant eye on the sardonic face of the doctor, "I should say -nothing."</p> - -<p>"Quite right," replied Forge not at all disconcerted, "you keep -out of these Chinese affairs. There's danger in them."</p> - -<p>"Connected with the fan?" demanded Olivia.</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Forge slowly, "connected with the fan."</p> - -<p>Olivia being a woman and curious, would have asked further -questions, to which Dr. Forge might have hesitated to reply, but -that Miss Pewsey called her dear Theophilus to her side. The -will was about to be read and Miss Pewsey--so she said--wanted -support. Forge crossed to the withered little shrimp he had -chosen, heaven knows why, for his wife and sat down. The lawyer -opened an envelope and took out a rustling parchment. Just as he -cleared his throat, the door opened and the maid announced "Mr. -Ainsleigh."</p> - -<p>Miss Pewsey glared, and no one appeared glad to see him. Lady -Jabe least of all, as she knew he was a powerful rival to Chris. -But Rupert bowed to the company in silence, took no notice of -their cold looks, and walked over to where Olivia sat, a little -apart. He seated himself beside her. The girl smiled a little -faintly, and then gazed straight before her. No one made any -remark, as Pastor was beginning to read the will.</p> - -<p>Miss Wharf, it appeared, died worth one thousand a year and the -house and furniture and land of Ivy Lodge. Five hundred a year -went to a distant relative, as Miss Wharf was unable to leave it -to anyone else, by reason of only having a life interest in this -amount. Then a few personal bequests were left to Lady Jabe, to -Chris Walker, and to some other friends. Ivy Lodge, and the -furniture, and the land it was built on, and the remaining five -hundred a year was left to--Lavinia Pewsey. When the name was -mentioned the little old maid quivered, and Olivia, pale and -quiet, rose to her feet. In a moment Miss Pewsey, prepared for -battle, was on her feet also, and the two women looked at one -another.</p> - -<p>"You knew of this will," said Olivia quietly.</p> - -<p>"No," replied Miss Pewsey.</p> - -<p>"You did. And all your paying court to me was a blind, so that I -might not suspect Aunt Sophia had left the money to you."</p> - -<p>"Dearest Sophia left the money to whom she chose," said Miss -Pewsey, in a sharp, shrill voice, "do you mean to say, that I -exercised any undue influence over her?"</p> - -<p>"I say nothing," was Olivia's reply: "but hard on me as my aunt -was, I do not think she would have left me penniless, while the -money which belonged to my family goes to a perfect stranger."</p> - -<p>"A stranger," cried Miss Pewsey tossing her head, "am I a -stranger, indeed? I was hand and glove with dear Sophia when we -were at school together. I gave up my life to her----"</p> - -<p>"And you have got your reward," said Olivia bitterly.</p> - -<p>"As you say," retorted Miss Pewsey, tossing her head again, "but -the will is in order, and I had nothing to do with the making of -it. I appeal to Mr. Pastor."</p> - -<p>"Why, certainly," said the lawyer, looking on Olivia with -something like pity. "Miss Wharf gave me instructions to make a -new will, during the week before she met with her untimely end. -Miss Pewsey was not in the room----"</p> - -<p>"But no doubt she induced my aunt to cut me out of the will."</p> - -<p>"No," cried Miss Pewsey breathing very hard, and looking more -drab than ever. "I won't stand this. Your aunt had good cause to -take the money from you--oh you deceiving girl."</p> - -<p>At this Rupert suddenly rose and took Olivia's hand. He half -guessed what was coming, and looked at the spiteful face of the -heiress. Olivia stared. She could not understand. Miss Pewsey -was about to speak, when Mr. Pastor intervened.</p> - -<p>"May I be permitted to remark that I have not finished reading -the will of the deceased lady," said he sweetly.</p> - -<p>"There's no more money to be disposed of," said Olivia bitterly, -"my enemy has got it all."</p> - -<p>Pastor made a gesture of silence to prevent Miss Pewsey bursting -out into a volume of words. "There is no more money to be -disposed of as you say, Miss Rayner, but Miss Wharf sets forth -in the will why she disinherited you."</p> - -<p>"Ah," cried Olivia a light breaking in upon her, and reading the -truth in Miss Pewsey's look of triumph, "so my aunt knew----"</p> - -<p>"She knew that you had secretly married the gentleman beside -you."</p> - -<p>Everyone was on his or her feet by this time, and every look was -directed towards Olivia. "Is this true?" asked Lady Jabe.</p> - -<p>"Yes," cried Miss Pewsey, before either Rupert or Olivia could -speak, "of course it is true. Let them deny it if they can. I -heard Olivia say herself, that she had been married at a -registrar's."</p> - -<p>Miss Rayner, or rather Mrs. Ainsleigh turned on the little -woman, "I should like to know when I said that to you Miss -Pewsey?"</p> - -<p>"You never said it to me--oh dear no," said Miss Pewsey shrilly, -"you were not straightforward enough. But I heard--oh yes I -heard."</p> - -<p>"Miss Wharf," said the lawyer folding up the will, "told me that -she learned of this from Miss Pewsey, just before she called me -in, to make a new will. The five hundred a year was left to you -Miss----"</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Ainsleigh," said Rupert quickly.</p> - -<p>"Very good. To you Mrs. Ainsleigh, by a former will. But on -discovering the secret marriage, my client made a new -will--this," he shook it, "and Miss Pewsey benefits."</p> - -<p>"Miss Pewsey has every right to benefit," said Mrs. Ainsleigh in -a clear cold voice, "she has been well paid, for being a spy."</p> - -<p>"Spy," shrilled Miss Pewsey glaring, "yes I was a spy in the -interests of dearest Sophia. I followed you several times, when -you went to meet Mr. Ainsleigh near the flag-staff, and on the -last occasion----"</p> - -<p>"Ah," said Olivia tranquilly, "so I thought. I heard something -moving. It was you, concealed. Rupert said it was a rat--perhaps -he was right. Well Miss Pewsey you have gained your ends and -now----"</p> - -<p>"Now you leave my house," said the old maid, "yes, my house."</p> - -<p>Olivia made no reply but placed her hand within her husband's -arm. Rupert conducted her towards the door. "Mrs. Ainsleigh's -effects will be sent for," said he looking at Miss Pewsey, "we -will not trouble you further."</p> - -<p>"But the law will trouble <i>you</i>," cried Miss Pewsey, "you----"</p> - -<p>Rupert turned and looked at her. The venomous words died on her -lips. She dropped into her chair, while Ainsleigh and the -disinherited Olivia left Ivy Lodge to the woman, who had schemed -for it in so base a way.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_14" href="#div1Ref_14">CHAPTER XIV</a></h4> -<h5>A Mysterious Letter</h5> -<br> - -<p>If Miss Wharf's tragic death made a great sensation in Marport, -the announcement that Miss Rayner was married secretly to -Ainsleigh of Royabay made a still greater one. Some people -thought Olivia had behaved badly to her aunt, and these were -confirmed in their belief, by the story told by Miss Pewsey. But -others considered the marriage to be quite romantic, and, -knowing how Miss Wharf had tried to make her niece marry -Clarence, were pleased that the girl had thus circumvented the -schemes of the buccaneer. But, whether the critics were hostile -or favourable, they were all equally anxious to call at Royabay -and see its new mistress.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Ainsleigh received them quietly, and with a dignity which -compelled all to refrain from making remarks, unpleasant or -otherwise. She settled down rapidly to her new position, and -after a time, everyone was quite on her side. Certainly, a few -ill-disposed people agreed with Miss Pewsey, who could not say -anything sufficiently bad about Mrs. Ainsleigh: but on the -whole, people were anxious to welcome the new mistress of the -great place of Marport. Rupert and Olivia appeared to be very -happy, and after all--as someone said, "the marriage was their -own business."</p> - -<p>A month after the installation of Olivia at Royabay, her husband -received a visitor in the person of Dr. Forge. That melancholy -man made his appearance one afternoon, when the young couple -were in the garden, and therefore, they could not refuse to see -him. Olivia, had she been able, would certainly have declined -the visit, as she was aware that Forge intended to marry Miss -Pewsey next month. As it was, she had to be polite and she was -coldly so. Rupert also, was not very genial. From what John -Petley had said, and from what Tung-yu had hinted, he began to -think that Forge was not the friend he pretended to be, and -consequently the young man was on his guard. Dr. Forge saw this, -and seized the opportunity when Olivia went within,--which she -did as soon as politeness permitted,--to speak to his quondam -ward.</p> - -<p>"We don't appear to be friends," said the doctor.</p> - -<p>"I don't see how you can expect it," replied Rupert coldly, "you -marry Miss Pewsey next month, and she has been, and is, Olivia's -bitter enemy."</p> - -<p>"I am aware that my future wife is prejudiced," said he -deliberately, "but I assure you Rupert, she did not scheme for -that money."</p> - -<p>Ainsleigh scoffed. "Why she spied on Olivia and told Miss Wharf, -what we would rather had been kept silent."</p> - -<p>"I don't think you acted quite fairly towards Miss Wharf."</p> - -<p>"That is my business. I don't intend to defend myself," was the -young man's reply, "did you come to discuss this matter?"</p> - -<p>"No. I came to ask how this matter would effect your future."</p> - -<p>"In what way?"</p> - -<p>"In the way you stand with your creditors."</p> - -<p>Rupert did not reply immediately. The two were walking on the -lawn, but Rupert entered the door of the Abbey and strolled -round the ruins with Forge by his side. He mistrusted the man -intensely. "I should like to know if you are my friend?" he -asked, giving utterance to this mistrust.</p> - -<p>"Surely I am," was the quiet reply, "why should you think me to -be otherwise. Because I marry Miss Pewsey?"</p> - -<p>"No. You can marry whom you choose. I have nothing to do with -that. Dr. Forge, But when you were my guardian, why did you not -tell me that the property was so encumbered?"</p> - -<p>"I wanted your boyhood to be unclouded. And also," he added, -seeing Rupert make a gesture of contempt, "I thought you might -get money from China."</p> - -<p>Rupert started. "What do you mean by that?"</p> - -<p>"Well," said Forge deliberately and looking on the ground, "you -know that your father and I invested in a gold mine on the Hwei -River? Well we worked it for a long time until your father died -of dysentery--"</p> - -<p>"Are you sure he died of dysentery?" asked Ainsleigh sharply.</p> - -<p>"So far as I know he did," was Forge's patient reply, "as I told -you before, I was in Pekin when he died. But if you are in doubt -you should go to China and ask Lo-Keong."</p> - -<p>"What has he to do with it?"</p> - -<p>"This much," said Forge quietly, "and I am telling you, what I -have kept hitherto from every living creature. Your father and I -made money out of the mine--a great sum. I made the most--about -ten thousand pounds, but your father made at least eight -thousand."</p> - -<p>"And where is that money?" asked Rupert anxiously.</p> - -<p>"Lo-Keong has it. Yes! I went to Pekin to get a concession with -regard to buying or leasing more land. I left your father with -Lo-Keong. He was at that time a kind of foreman. But also, he -was in the confidence of the rebellious Boxer leaders. These -threatened to undermine the power of the Dowager Empress, who -was not then, so strong as she is now. As a matter of fact, -Lo-Keong himself was a leader of the Boxers. He came to us in -disguise, and worked up until he became our foreman; but he did -this, because he heard that the mine was paying, and wanted -money--"</p> - -<p>"Your money?" asked Ainsleigh deeply interested.</p> - -<p>"Yes, and the money belonging to your father--in all, eighteen -thousand pounds. When I was at Pekin, your father, who did not -understand the Chinese so well as I did, managed to make -trouble--"</p> - -<p>"In what way?"</p> - -<p>"He interfered with the religion of the coolies in some way--a -most disastrous thing to do. Lo-Keong took advantage of the riot -and robbed your father of the eighteen thousand pounds."</p> - -<p>"And killed my father."</p> - -<p>"Ah," said Forge quietly, "I really can't say that. It was it -reported to me at Pekin that Markham had died of dysentery. He -was buried near the mine. I was advised not to go back, as the -Chinese were enraged against the foreign devils. Lo-Keong took -the money and returned to his Boxers, where, with the money, he -attained to even greater power, than he formerly had possessed. -Afterwards he deserted his party and came on the side of the -Empress Dowager. She is a clever woman and was glad to get him, -so he speedily rose high at court. Now, he is very powerful."</p> - -<p>"And still holds my father's money."</p> - -<p>"Precisely, and mine also. I have been to China again and again, -to try and make Lo-Keong give up this money, and then, I -intended to pay you eight thousand pounds. But hitherto I have -failed. I am about to make a last attempt, as I sail for Canton -after Christmas. I had intended to go earlier, but I must marry -Miss Pewsey and leave her in charge of my house, as Mrs. Forge, -before I go. So now you know Rupert why I went so frequently to -China."</p> - -<p>"And what has the fan to do with all this?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing so far as I know. It is Lo-Keong's property and was a -bequest which he values. I understand that there is some secret -belonging to it, connected with political affairs, and which -make his enemies anxious to get hold of it."</p> - -<p>"Didn't you know the secret, when you possessed the fan?"</p> - -<p>"No," said Forge viciously, "I wish I had known it. If it could -have damaged Lo-Keong I certainly should have made every use of -it. He keeps me out of ten thousand pounds, and it's through his -influence with the Empress Dowager that I am prevented from -working the mine further. It is a rich mine, and if I worked it, -I could make a fortune. But Lo-Keong stopped that. I was a fool, -not to use the fan and make Lo-Keong give me the mine for it."</p> - -<p>"But you <i>did</i> give him the fan."</p> - -<p>Forge looked confused for a moment. "Yes, I did," said he after -a pause, "that is, it was taken from me. I got it from Tidman in -the way you know, and always expected trouble. But I expect Hwei -and Tung-yu did not find out at the time, that it had come to -this country, so I was left alone. Had they discovered, that I -was the possessor I should have been killed--"</p> - -<p>"Or you might have got a large sum of money."</p> - -<p>"Quite so. It would have all depended if I gave the fan to Hwei -or to Tung-yu. I should have preferred the latter, but of course -I never knew the different days appointed by the god."</p> - -<p>"Then that business is really true."</p> - -<p>"I believe it is. But I never knew much about it, till Tung-yu -told me. Then it was too late, Miss Wharf had the fan, and it -was Hwei's day. He took advantage of the chance."</p> - -<p>"Do you think he was here?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Certainly. He killed Miss Wharf."</p> - -<p>"But the verdict said that Tung-yu--"</p> - -<p>"Pooh--pooh," cried Forge snapping his long fingers. "Tung-yu -would not have dared to disobey the order of Kwang-ho the god. -Hwei is the culprit, but I said as little as I could about that, -I don't want to be entangled in the matter again. But one of the -Chinamen has the fan, and by this time it is nearly at Pekin. -There doesn't seem to be much chance of our getting that money -Rupert."</p> - -<p>"You did give the fan to Lo-Keong," reiterated Ainsleigh.</p> - -<p>"Well it was taken from me. I went to his palace and told him I -would give him the fan in exchange for the eighteen thousand -pounds. I then intended to come back and give you eight, to -clear off your mortgages and resolved to live on the remaining -ten which are rightfully my own. But Lo-Keong had me seized, and -the fan was taken from me. He then forbade me setting foot in -China again. But I am going, for all that," said Forge -threateningly, "I shall go after Christmas. I am bound to get my -money and yours."</p> - -<p>"You kept that fan for a long time?"</p> - -<p>"For two years only, and then, when I thought everything had -blown over, I took it to Lo-Keong with what result you know. Now -then, I have been plain with you Rupert. Surely you can see that -I am your friend."</p> - -<p>"Tung-yu said you were not. Doctor."</p> - -<p>"Naturally," replied Forge, "he wanted to make bad blood between -us, so that I should not tell you this story. How does he -know--Tung-yu I mean--but what you might not go to China and -complain about Lo-Keong keeping this money."</p> - -<p>"I prefer to stop here with my wife," said Ainsleigh. "But <i>you</i> -can complain."</p> - -<p>"And be hanged, or sliced, or shot, or fried. No thank you. -Remember what kind of treatment Tidman met with at the hands of -Hwei."</p> - -<p>"What. Was he the one-eyed Chinaman?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. He's the gentleman, and I hope he won't come your way. He -is a beast. But by this time, he and Tung-yu are on their way -back to their own land. And now Rupert, I'll say good-bye. As I -am poor myself, lacking this ten thousand pounds, rightfully -mine, which Lo-Keong detains, I can't help you. But I'll tell -you what I'll do. I'll get Miss Pewsey to extend that mortgage."</p> - -<p>"No, thank you all the same," said Ainsleigh, throwing back his -head.</p> - -<p>"I don't want to be indebted to your wife."</p> - -<p>"She is not my wife <i>yet</i>," said Forge significantly.</p> - -<p>"But you intend to marry her."</p> - -<p>"Yes--yes--quite so." Forge looked queerly at Rupert, as though -about to say something. Then he changed his mind and walked away -rapidly, without saying good-bye. Rupert returned to the house -and told his wife all that had taken place. She was still -doubtful of Forge's good intentions.</p> - -<p>"A decent man would not marry that wicked little woman."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Rupert doubtfully, "from the way he spoke and -looked, I think Miss Pewsey marries him and not Forge, Miss -Pewsey."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Ainsleigh looked up quickly. "Has she got any hold over -him?"</p> - -<p>"I don't understand dear?"</p> - -<p>"The same as she had over my aunt. Rupert, that little woman -looks frail, but she is strong, and has a will like iron. In -spite of her looks. Aunt Sophia was wax in Miss Pewsey's hands. -She exercised a kind of hypnotic power over Aunt Sophia, and -that was how the will came to be made in her favour."</p> - -<p>"In that case, why not try and upset the will."</p> - -<p>"On a pretext of undue influence. It could be done certainly, -but I have no facts to go upon. But it seems to me, from what -you say, that Miss Pewsey has hypnotised Forge."</p> - -<p>"He's not the kind of man to be hypnotised."</p> - -<p>"Yes, he is. He smokes opium. A man who would give way to that -vice, is not a strong man. But let her be and let him be also, -Rupert. I don't believe about this money in China. It is no use -our building on that. If the place has to be sold at the end of -the year, we will take what we have left and go to Canada. So -long as I have my boy I don't much care," and she wreathed her -arms round his neck.</p> - -<p>"Dear Olivia, I wish I wasn't the hard-up wretch I am."</p> - -<p>"I would not have you, any other than you are. If money comes to -us, it will come honestly, not through the hands of Dr. Forge or -his future wife. Neither one is honest."</p> - -<p>Rupert would have argued this point, as he thought his wife was -a trifle hard. But Olivia stuck to her guns, and gradually all -reference to Forge and his story was dropped by tacit consent. -The young couple had quite enough to do, in talking of their -future, which was doubtful, to say the least of it. However -Rupert had arranged with the lawyers to hold over all claims for -another year. It only remained to get Miss Pewsey, who now held -the fatal mortgage, to extend the time. But Olivia would not -allow her husband to ask a favour of the bitter little woman as -she was sure,--and rightly so,--that it would not be granted. -The mortgage held by Miss Pewsey was for three thousand pounds, -and the two set their wits to work, to see if they could pay -this off by Christmas. Then, they would have a good few months -left to arrange other matters. If possible, Olivia wished to -keep Royabay, though the outlook was not cheering.</p> - -<p>Another month slipped by, but few changes took place in Marport. -As it was now rather wintry, so many people did not come down to -the sea-side. Rupert and Olivia lived rather a lonely life at -the Abbey, but being very much in love, this did not disturb -them: in fact it was rather a pleasure. Sometimes Chris Walker -and his aunt called. Lady Jabe had got over her disappointment, -now that Olivia was poor, and constantly abused Miss Pewsey for -taking the money. She was making the unfortunate Chris pay -attentions to Lotty Dean, whose father was a grocer and had -ample wealth. Things were going on nicely in this quarter, and -Lady Jabe was pleased.</p> - -<p>Clarence Burgh had left Marport and was now amusing himself in -London. Sometimes he came down to see his aunt, who was getting -ready for her bridal and still lived in Ivy Lodge. There, Forge -intended to remove when married, as the house was rent free, and -already he had given notice to Tidman as the Major told Rupert -one evening. "And I'm glad he's going," said the Major, as he -sat with his usual bottle of port before the fire, after dinner, -"I couldn't stand seeing, that Pewsey cat in my house as Mrs. -Doctor Forge."</p> - -<p>"I wonder why he marries her?" said Rupert who was smoking on -the other side of the fire place.</p> - -<p>"Because he is frightened of her, sir. That woman for some -reason makes everyone frightened of her--except me," added the -Major swelling, "why even that young Burgh hardly comes to see -her, though he's down here now--waiting for the wedding I -suppose. It comes off next week and a nice fright that Pewsey -cat will look as a bride."</p> - -<p>Rupert laughed. Olivia had left the room and retired to bed. The -Major, who had been fidgeting all the evening, looked round when -alone with his host. "I want to talk to you," he said.</p> - -<p>"What about? Haven't you been talking all the evening."</p> - -<p>"Not on the subject nearest to my heart," said Tidman sipping -his port. "I waited till Mrs. Ainsleigh went away, as I don't -want to revive unpleasant memories."</p> - -<p>"Oh," said Rupert with a shudder, "surely you are not going to -talk of the murder."</p> - -<p>"No--certainly not: but I am of the thing that caused it."</p> - -<p>Rupert sat up quickly. "The fan. Why that's in China. Tung-yu -took it, after he--"</p> - -<p>"Tung-yu did <i>not</i> take it," said the Major producing a letter. -"I thought he did, if you remember, for you and I saw him on the -beach on that night."</p> - -<p>"Yes. He was talking to a boatman."</p> - -<p>"Arranging for his flight," said Tidman grimly, "and then he -went back, as I thought, and murdered that woman. But he -didn't," the Major paused to give full dramatic effect. "He -thinks I did it."</p> - -<p>"Oh, rubbish," said Rupert. "If you can prove an alibi on my -behalf, I can prove one on yours. We walked and talked on the -beach, till nearly twelve. Then you went back to your bed, and I -returned to the ball-room. Immediately afterwards the body was -found. What makes Tung-yu accuse you, and why do you get a -letter from China?"</p> - -<p>"It's not from China, but from London."</p> - -<p>"Is Tung-yu there?" asked Ainsleigh, quickly.</p> - -<p>"Yes. In some place in Rotherhithe. He writes from there, in -this letter. Read it," and he passed it to his host.</p> - -<p>Rupert glanced over the few lines which were very neatly written -on yellow paper. The letter was to the effect that if Major -Tidman would bring the fan to a certain place in Rotherhithe, he -would receive the money. "Humph," said Ainsleigh, handing it -back, "so it seems that Tung-yu has not got the fan."</p> - -<p>"Yes, confound him, and he thinks <i>I</i> have it, in which case he -must believe that I murdered Miss Wharf."</p> - -<p>Rupert nodded. "It looks like it," said he, "what will you do?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know. I do not want another Canton adventure. I -thought," here the Major hesitated, "I thought you might go."</p> - -<p>Ainsleigh did not burst out into a voluble refusal, as Tidman -expected, but stared at the fire. Seeing this, Tidman urged his -point. "I think if you went, you might get at the truth of the -matter," he said. "If Tung-yu didn't murder Miss Wharf, who did? -Will you go?"</p> - -<p>Rupert still gazed at the fire. He was thinking of the eight -thousand pounds due to him, held by Lo-Keong and which, if -gained, would pay off Miss Pewsey. "Yes," said he at length, -"I'll go."</p> - -<p>It was a risk, as he knew, but the money was worth the risk.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_15" href="#div1Ref_15">CHAPTER XV</a></h4> -<h5>The Rotherhithe Den</h5> -<br> - -<p>As a rule, Rupert told his wife everything, thinking there could -be no happiness, unless a married couple were frank with one -another. Also, he frequently went to Olivia for advice, -believing in the keen feminine instinct, which usually sees what -is hidden from the denser masculine understanding. But on this -occasion, he refrained from revealing the object of his visit to -London, as he knew she would be feverishly anxious, all the time -he was absent. It was just possible that Hwei might be at -Rotherhithe instead of Tung-yu, and then Rupert might meet with -a death similar to that of Miss Wharf. Certainly he had not the -fan, and never did possess it; but how was he to convince a -distrustful Asiatic of that.</p> - -<p>Therefore, Rupert went to town one afternoon by the nine o'clock -evening train from Marport, and Olivia thought, he was merely -going to see his lawyer on business connected with Miss Pewsey's -mortgage. Her husband was to return the next day in time for -luncheon, and, as he had often run up to town before, Olivia had -no misgivings. Had she been aware of the danger he was going -into, she assuredly would not have let him go. Mrs. Ainsleigh -had led an unhappy life, and now that things were brighter, she -certainly did not wish to see her days clouded, by the loss of -the husband whom she loved so dearly.</p> - -<p>As what money there was, went to keep up Royabay, its master was -too poor to travel first class. But he was lucky enough to find -a third class smoking carriage empty, and sat down very content. -Owing to the nature of his errand, he wished to be alone, to -think out his mode of procedure. Tung-yu would not be an easy -person to deal with, still less would Hwei, should he happen to -be on the spot, and Ainsleigh had little knowledge of the -Chinese character. From what Forge said, he judged it to be -dangerous.</p> - -<p>There were few people travelling by the train, and Rupert quite -believed that he would have the compartment to himself. But just -as the train was moving off, a man dashed into the carriage and -dropped breathlessly on the seat. "I guess that was a narrow -squeak," he gasped.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Burgh," said Rupert, by no means pleased.</p> - -<p>"Well, I am surprised," said the buccaneer, "if it ain't -Ainsleigh."</p> - -<p>"Mr. Ainsleigh," was Rupert's reply, for he disliked the man too -much to tolerate this familiarity.</p> - -<p>"Oh, shucks," retorted Burgh wiping his forehead, "'tisn't any -use putting on frills with me, sir. I guess I'm as good a man as -you, any day."</p> - -<p>"Let us admit you are better," said Rupert coldly, "and cease -conversation."</p> - -<p>But this Mr. Burgh was not inclined to do. "I reckon this old -tram won't stop at any station for half an hour," said he -pulling out a long black cigar, "so I don't see why we should -sit like dummies for thirty minutes. Come along, let's yarn. You -think I'm a wrong un'. Well, I guess I'm no holy Bill if that's -what you mean. But I surmise that I'm friendly enough with you, -Ainsleigh."</p> - -<p>"Our last interview was not of a friendly character."</p> - -<p>"You bet. You laid me out proper, and gave it to me pretty free. -I respect a man who knocks me down. I thought you'd curl up when -faced, Ainsleigh, but I see you're a fighter. That being so, why -I climb down. Not that I'm a coward--oh, no--not by a long -chalk: but I know how to size up things."</p> - -<p>"And how do you size them up in this case?"</p> - -<p>"Well," said Clarence lighting up, "I guess you've got the bulge -on me. I was sweet on your wife, but you aimed a bulls-eye, and -I got left. That being so, I conclude to leave other man's goods -alone."</p> - -<p>"Meaning Mrs. Ainsleigh," said Rupert dryly, "thank you."</p> - -<p>"Oh, no thanks. I've got enough sins already without putting a -gilded roof on my iniquities. See here," Clarence leaned forward -and looked agreeable, though his wicked black eyes snapped fire, -"why shouldn't you and I be friends?"</p> - -<p>Rupert did not reply at once. He did not like Burgh, who was an -aggressive bully of the Far West. All the same, something might -be learned from Burgh, relative to the murder, and to the -Chinaman. He knew Hwei and knew something of the fan, so Rupert -resolved to be on reasonably friendly terms with the buccaneer -in the hope of learning something likely to be of use. If Mr. -Burgh had a lantern, there was no reason why Ainsleigh should -not use the light to illuminate his somewhat dark path. -Therefore, when Rupert did speak, it was to express a wish -to be friendly. Yet, strange to say, as soon as he showed a -disposition to come forward, Clarence, the wary, showed an equal -disposition to retire. "Ho," said the buccaneer, "I guess you -want my help, or you wouldn't be so friendly all at once."</p> - -<p>"I am friendly by your own desire," said Ainsleigh dryly, "if -you like, we need not talk, but can part as enemies."</p> - -<p>"No," said Burgh throwing himself indolently back on the -cushions, "fact is, I need you and you need me."</p> - -<p>"How do I need you?" asked Rupert sharply.</p> - -<p>"Well," drawled Clarence, eying the clear-cut face of his late -enemy, "it's just this way. Aunt Lavinia's an old cat. She was -all square with me, so long as she thought I'd hitch up long-side -Miss Rayner----"</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Ainsleigh if you please, and leave out her name."</p> - -<p>"Right oh. I'll use it only once. Aunty thought I'd annex the -cash, and Mrs. Ainsleigh, and that she would live on the pair of -us. But as things are Aunty has the cash and you've got the -lady, so I am left--yes sir. I guess I've been bested by Aunty, -Well sir, I calculate I'm not a millionaire, and I want cash to -start out on the long trail. Aunty won't part, shabby old puss -that she is; but I reckon if you'll help me, I'll rake in the -dollars slick."</p> - -<p>"Why should I help you?"</p> - -<p>"To get square about that murder."</p> - -<p>Rupert drew back, "Do you know?----"</p> - -<p>"Oh I know nothing for certain, or I shouldn't take you into -partnership, but I believe I can spot the person."</p> - -<p>"Surely you don't think Miss Pewsey----"</p> - -<p>"Oh no. She wouldn't harm anyone, unless she was on the right -side. She's a cat, but is clever enough to keep herself from -being lynched. 'Sides, she was comfortable enough with old -Wharf, and wouldn't have sent her to camp out in the New -Jerusalem, by strangling. But Aunty's going to hitch up -long-side old Forge----"</p> - -<p>"And he?" asked Rupert secretly excited, but looking calm -enough.</p> - -<p>"Go slow. I don't know anything for certain, but I guess Forge -had a finger in the pie. He wanted the fan you know."</p> - -<p>"Nonsense! He had the fan for two years and made no use of it."</p> - -<p>"I reckon not. He didn't know its secret--and the secret's worth -money I judge."</p> - -<p>"Do you know the secret?"</p> - -<p>"No. If I'd known I shouldn't have passed the article along to -old Wharf. But I'm hunting for the secret, and when I find it -out, I'll shake old Forge's life out for that fan."</p> - -<p>"But Tung-yu has the fan?"</p> - -<p>"Ho!" snorted the buccaneer, "and Tung-yu's gone to China with -Hwei and the fan. Shucks! They gassed that at the inquest, but -the poppy-cock don't go down along o' me. No Sir. I guess old -Forge has the article. Now you sail in with me, and find out."</p> - -<p>"How can I?"</p> - -<p>"Well," said the buccaneer reflectively, "your father was a -friend of the doctor's and he's chums with you. Just you get him -to be confidential like, and then----"</p> - -<p>"Forge is the last man to be confidential with anyone," said -Rupert coldly, "and if this be your scheme I can't help you. -There is not a shred of evidence to prove that Forge killed Miss -Wharf."</p> - -<p>"No. That's a frozen fact; but I guess I'm going to straighten -out Forge to pay out Aunty. Then both will have to part with -cash for my going on the long trail. I'm in the dark now, but -later----"</p> - -<p>An end was put to Mr. Burgh's chatter by the stoppage of the -train at a station, and by the entrance of a joyful party of -father, mother and three children. These last returning from a -happy day in the country made themselves agreeable by crying. -Clarence closed his mouth, and only bent forward to say one last -word to Rupert, "I reckon we'll talk of this to-morrow when I -get back to Marport," said he, "I'm putting up at the Bristol, -and aunty's footing the bill."</p> - -<p>Ainsleigh nodded and buried himself in his own thoughts. He did -not see how Clarence could bring the crime home to Dr. Forge, -but the buccaneer evidently had his suspicions. Rupert resolved -to keep in with Burgh on the chance that something might come of -the matter. He saw well enough that Clarence, in desperate want -of money, would do all in his power to prove Forge guilty and -would then blackmail him and Miss Pewsey, or, as she would then -be, Mrs. Forge. This last design which Rupert suspected Burgh -entertained, he resolved should not be put into practice: but if -Forge was guilty, he would be arrested and tried. Therefore when -Clarence parted with Ainsleigh at the Liverpool street station, -the latter was moderately friendly.</p> - -<p>"'Night," said the buccaneer wringing Ainsleigh's hand. "See you -to-morrow at Marport. Keep it dark," and he winked and disappeared.</p> - -<p>Ainsleigh moved towards the barrier to give up his ticket. As he -did so he was roughly jostled, but could not see the person who -thus banged against him. He left the station however, with the -feeling that he was being followed, and kept looking back to see -if, amongst the crowd, there was any special person at his -heels. But he could see no one with his eyes on him. Yet the -feeling continued even when he got into the underground train, -which was to take him to Rotherhithe.</p> - -<p>The young man had put on a shabby suit of blue serge for the -adventure and,--as the night was rainy,--wore a heavy overcoat, -the same in fact, which he had left in the cloak-room of the -Bristol hotel on that memorable occasion. The compartment was -filled with a rather rough set of workmen going home, and some -were the worse for liquor. However Rupert sitting quietly in his -own corner was not disturbed and arrived in Rotherhithe without -trouble. He was thankful for this, as he did not wish to have a -row when engaged on a secret errand.</p> - -<p>It was dark and stormy when he stepped out into the street, but -as the address given in the letter written to Major Tidman, was -that of a narrow street close at hand--Rupert had looked it up -in the Directory,--he did not take a cab. On his way along the -streaming pavement he again had the sensation of being followed, -and felt for the revolver, with which he had very wisely -provided himself. But nothing happened, and he arrived at the -mouth of the narrow street which was called Penters Alley. There -were few people about, as the ragged loafers were within, not -caring to face the pelting rain in their light attire. Rupert -stepped cautiously down the side street, and saw in the distance -a Chinese lantern, which he knew, marked the house he was to -enter. This token had been set forth in the letter.</p> - -<p>Just as the young man was half way down, a dark figure, which -had crept up behind him, darted forward and aimed a blow at him. -Rupert dodged and tried to close: but at that moment another -figure dashed between the two men and delivered a right-hander. -There was a stifled cry of rage and the clash of a knife on the -wet pavement. Then the first assailant cleared off, and Rupert -found himself facing his rescuer. "Just in time," said Clarence -Burgh.</p> - -<p>"What, you here," said Rupert surprised. "I left you at the -station.</p> - -<p>"I guess that's so, but I followed you--"</p> - -<p>"And by what right--"</p> - -<p>"That's square enough," replied Burgh, "you'd agreed to work -along with me on this racket."</p> - -<p>"Not altogether. I had not made up my mind."</p> - -<p>"Well I guess you'll make it up now Mr. Ainsleigh. It was a -good job I came after you as I did, or this would have been into -your ribs," and he held up a long knife which he had picked up.</p> - -<p>"I am much obliged," said Ainsleigh, "but--"</p> - -<p>"Well if you're obliged, let me go along with you and see you -through this game. I don't know what it is, but I'm on for -larks."</p> - -<p>Ainsleigh reflected, and on the impulse of the moment trusted -the man. Clarence had undoubtedly saved his life, and it would -be just as well to take him. Also Clarence could do no harm, as -Tung-yu and Hwei would see to that. "Very good," said Ainsleigh, -"come along. I'm going to where that Chinese lantern is."</p> - -<p>Clarence gave a long whistle and smote his leg, "Gad," said he -between his teeth, "you're on the Chinese racket again."</p> - -<p>"Oh, behalf of Major Tidman," and Rupert rapidly gave details.</p> - -<p>Burgh whistled again, "Ho," he laughed, "so they think Tidman's -the strangler. Well I guess not. Forge for my money. Let's heave -ahead Ainsleigh, and see what the Chinkeys have to say."</p> - -<p>The two moved on and stopped under the lantern. A sharp -knock at a closed door brought forth a Chinese boy, who was -dressed--queerly enough--all in red. Rupert recalled Tidman's -adventure at Canton, and did not like the look of things. But -Clarence pushed past him and addressed the boy.</p> - -<p>"We've come to see Tung-yu," said he, "give this brat the -letter, Ainsleigh."</p> - -<p>The boy took the letter and instead of looking at it by the -light of the lantern, smelt it carefully. Then Ainsleigh -remembered that it was strongly perfumed with some queer scent. -Clarence cackled.</p> - -<p>"Rummy coves these Chinese beasts," said he politely.</p> - -<p>Evidently the boy was satisfied, for he threw open the door, and -the two adventurers entered. They passed along a narrow corridor -to a second door. On this being opened, they turned down a long -passage to the right and were conducted by the red boy into a -small room decorated in Chinese fashion, somewhat after the -style of that in Dr. Forge's house. At the end there was a -shrine with a hideous god set up therein, and before this, -smoked some joss sticks giving out a strange perfume. A -tasselled lantern hung from the ceiling. The chairs and table, -elegant in design were of carved black wood, and the walls were -hung with gaily pictured paper. The room was neat and clean, but -pervaded by that strange atmosphere of the East which brings -back curious memories to those who have travelled into those -parts. After conducting them into this room, the red boy -vanished and the men found themselves alone.</p> - -<p>"Well I reckon we've got to make ourselves comfortable," said -the buccaneer sitting, "rum shanty--just like an opium den I -know of, down 'Frisco way. Ho! I wonder how Tung-yu's escaped -the police?"</p> - -<p>"I wonder rather who it was that tried to knife me," said Rupert -sitting.</p> - -<p>Clarence looked queer. "We'll talk of that when we get through -with this business. Here's some fairy."</p> - -<p>Even while he spoke a tall lean Chinaman entered noiselessly. He -had a rather fierce face and one eye. Burgh started up.</p> - -<p>"Hwei," said he amazed. "I thought you had lighted out for -'Frisco."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_16" href="#div1Ref_16">CHAPTER XVI</a></h4> -<h5>The Fan Mystery</h5> -<br> - -<p>The one-eyed Chinaman did not smile, nor did he greet Burgh in -any way, friendly or otherwise. He simply looked at the two, -with an impassive gaze and then glanced at a clock, the hands of -which pointed to thirty minutes past eleven. What a clock should -be doing in this Eastern room, the visitors could not make out. -It seemed to be out of place. Yet there it was, and there was -Hwei staring at it. He still preserved silence and brought his -one eye from the clock to Rupert with a malevolent glare.</p> - -<p>"Major Tidman has not come," said Hwei in English, as good as -that spoken by Tung-yu, but in a grating voice.</p> - -<p>"No," said Rupert who was addressed. "He received your note,--or -rather Tung-yu's letter,--and asked me to come here on his -behalf."</p> - -<p>"And I guess Hwei," drawled Clarence, "that I have come to see -the business through."</p> - -<p>"That will not take long," said the Chinaman cheerfully, yet -with an unpleasant stare, "where is the fan of the Mandarin?"</p> - -<p>"I have not got it," replied Ainsleigh shortly.</p> - -<p>"Major Tidman did not send it perhaps."</p> - -<p>"No. For the simple reason that it is not in his possession."</p> - -<p>"That," said Hwei grimly, "is a lie,"</p> - -<p>"It's the truth," chipped in Burgh suddenly, "old man Tidman -didn't choke that woman!"</p> - -<p>"You mean Miss Wharf."</p> - -<p>Burgh nodded. "That's so," said he in a curt way, but with a -watchful eye on the one-eyed Chinaman.</p> - -<p>Hwei gnawed his long finger nails, and then slipped his hands -inside his long hanging sleeves. In his dull blue clothes with -the clumsy slippers, he looked taller than ever, and quite as -unpleasant as at first sight. His pig-tail was coiled round his -shaven head. He looked sharply at the two men with his one eye, -and appeared to be thinking, "It's my day," said he at length.</p> - -<p>Ainsleigh and Burgh jumped up. "Do you intend to murder us?" -asked Rupert.</p> - -<p>"If you have the fan," rejoined Hwei coldly, "it is the order of -the god Kwang-ho," and he bowed reverentially to the ugly image.</p> - -<p>"What right's that second hand joss to give orders in a free -country, Hwei?" asked Clarence, "and don't you think, we'll give -in without laying you out."</p> - -<p>Hwei made a clicking noise with his tongue and then smote a -small brass gong which hung near the door. The thunder had -scarcely died away before the door opened and there appeared -four or five villainous looking Chinamen with long knives. -Rupert stepped back and stood against the wall, with his -revolver levelled. But Clarence simply produced the knife, he -had picked up on the pavement. "I guess," he said reflectively, -"you tried to knife Ainsleigh outside. The knife here's the same -as those things yonder," and he nodded towards the door. "Well, -sail in. We're ready for the play."</p> - -<p>Hwei started at this speech, and chattered something in Chinese. -At once the door closed and the three were again alone. "I never -ordered anyone to be knifed outside," he said, with his one eye -on Clarence, "that would be foolish. First the fan, then the -death."</p> - -<p>"I was certainly attacked outside," said Rupert lowering his -revolver.</p> - -<p>"Who attacked you, sir?"</p> - -<p>"I can't say. But perhaps Burgh--"</p> - -<p>"That's my business," said the cheerful Clarence who had taken -his seat, and did not seem to be at all afraid of the dangerous -position in which he found himself, "what we have to do, is to -yarn about this fan. I saw you in 'Frisco, Hwei. I reckoned the -fan was there."</p> - -<p>"We thought so, Mr. Burgh, but it came to the ears of Lo-Keong -that it was in England. So then I came here."</p> - -<p>"Ah, I saw you in China also," said Clarence.</p> - -<p>"You did, and learned much about the fan--too much," growled -Hwei.</p> - -<p>Rupert who was growing weary of all this hinted mystery sat down -again, and threw the revolver on the table. "I wish you would -make a clean breast of this," he said calmly. "I don't care -about the fan, but I do want to know who killed Miss Wharf."</p> - -<p>"Major Tidman did."</p> - -<p>"No. He was with me on the beach. I went out to smoke and we -strolled up and down till nearly twelve. He was with me shortly -after eleven, so he could not have killed the woman."</p> - -<p>Hwei pointed a long finger at the young man. "I saw Major Tidman -speaking to a boatman on the beach--the boat came from the -Stormy Petrel--"</p> - -<p>"Your boat," said Burgh quickly.</p> - -<p>"No. The boat of Tung-yu. It was my day, but Tung-yu hoped to -get the fan after twelve at night and then would have had the -right to take it away in the boat. Major Tidman killed Miss -Wharf and gave the knowledge of his crime to Tung-yu. He would -not part with the fan till the money was paid. Tung-yu went away -in the boat so that the police might not get him. He was wise," -added Hwei with a queer smile, "as he is accused of the murder."</p> - -<p>"Which you committed."</p> - -<p>"No I did not. Had I found Miss Wharf outside I should have -killed her. It was my hour, but she escaped me."</p> - -<p>"Then you were in Marport on that night?" asked Rupert.</p> - -<p>Hwei nodded. "Not at the hotel. Tung-yu went to the ball, and -was to bring Miss Wharf out down the steps, so that I could kill -her. I came to the steps about twelve, and while waiting on the -beach I saw you sir, talking to the Major. But Tung-yu betrayed -me." Hwei's face looked fiercer then ever. "He did not bring her -to me in my hour, and so betrayed the trust of the god Kwang-ho. -He wanted her to live, so that he might buy the fan next day."</p> - -<p>"But so long as he got the fan--"</p> - -<p>Hwei flung out a long arm. "No," said he austerely, "if Tung-yu -gets the fan it goes with its secret into the hands of Mandarin -Hop Sing, who is the enemy of my master."</p> - -<p>"And who is your master?" asked Clarence.</p> - -<p>"Lo-Keong. Listen." Hwei took a seat and talked, with his one -eye on the visitors. "The fan is my master's, and holds a secret -which means much to him. It was lost. We invoked the god -Kwang-ho. By the mouth of his priest the gods said that two men -should search for it. I was to search for Lo-Keong, and Tung-yu -for Hop Sing the enemy of my master. Hop Sing's emissary was to -buy the fan at a large price, I was to kill the person who held -it. Thus, said the god, justice would be done. The person who -held the fan would be rewarded for virtue or slain for evil. One -day is mine and the next day is Tung-yu's. At the ball I had my -hour, and had I found Miss Wharf I would have slain her for the -fan. But Tung-yu betrayed me, as he wished to buy the fan next -day. But the god Kwang-ho interfered, and the woman who held the -fan wrongfully, met with her doom. Great is the justice of the -god Kwang-ho," and he bowed again to the ugly image which was -half veiled by the curling smoke.</p> - -<p>Rupert stared at the man who talked such good English, yet who -used it, to utter such extraordinary things. He was not -acquainted with the Chinese character, and could not understand -the affair. But on reflection he concluded that the alternate -killing and rewarding was adopted as giving a chance of treating -the person, who secured the fan in the way he or she deserved. -"I see what you mean," said he, "if the person got the fan -wrongfully, it would come into your possession in your way, if -rightfully, it would go to Tung-yu, therefore the holder of the -fan would be rewarded according to his or her deeds."</p> - -<p>Hwei bowed. "Great is the wisdom of the god Kwang-ho," said he.</p> - -<p>"Then I guess you're wrong and the god also," said Clarence, -"old Miss Wharf got the fan squarely enough from me."</p> - -<p>"She had it wrongfully," said Hwei obstinately "else she would -not have been slain."</p> - -<p>"Who slew her?" asked Rupert seeing the uselessness of argument.</p> - -<p>"Major Tidman."</p> - -<p>"No. I tell you he was on the beach. Tung-yu killed her."</p> - -<p>Hwei shook his head, "Tung-yu dare not," said he, "the god would -slay him if he disobeyed."</p> - -<p>"The god didn't slay him when he played low down on you in -keeping Miss Wharf back from your knife," said Clarence.</p> - -<p>"Tung-yu has done penance. He has made amends. He wrote to Major -Tidman telling him to come here on my night, so that he might -meet with his doom."</p> - -<p>"But he hasn't come."</p> - -<p>"He is afraid."</p> - -<p>"No," said Rupert decisively, "the Major has not the fan. Who -has, I know no more than I do who killed Miss Wharf."</p> - -<p>Hwei wavered, and his keen face grew troubled. The persistence -of Rupert was having its effect. "Are you sure?"</p> - -<p>"Quite sure," said Ainsleigh promptly.</p> - -<p>"Will you swear this before the god Kwang-ho."</p> - -<p>"Certainly--but remember I am a Christian."</p> - -<p>Hwei went to the shrine and brought forth a joss stick. "The god -Kwang-ho is all powerful," said he solemnly, "if you lie, he -will not spare you. Burn this joss before him and swear."</p> - -<p>"No," said Rupert drawing back. "I am a Christian."</p> - -<p>Hwei's eye flashed with fury. "You are lying," said he, "you -will never leave this place alive."</p> - -<p>"Oh I guess so," said Clarence easily, "neither I nor Ainsleigh -has the fan, and you can't kill either of us unless the god -grows angry. You've got to climb down before him."</p> - -<p>"That is true," said Hwei dropping the joss-stick, and sat in -his chair with a puzzled face. He then pointed to the clock, the -long hand of which was drawing to twelve. "When that strikes, my -hour is over," he said, "but I may kill you before then."</p> - -<p>"You've got ten minutes to do it in," said Burgh cheerfully, -"and Ainsleigh and I intend to fight for it. You'll be hanged -too."</p> - -<p>"No," said Hwei. "I'll be on my way to China with the fan. I -have a boat waiting near, to take me to a special steamer. I -intended to kill Major Tidman, take the fan and go. Then all the -police in the country would not have caught me."</p> - -<p>"And your nice little plan has been defeated by the Major not -coming up," said Rupert calmly, "just as well he didn't. And I -have not got the fan."</p> - -<p>"Who has--who has," said Hwei biting his nails, and evidently -quite at a loss. "I made sure--" he looked at Clarence.</p> - -<p>"Oh it wasn't me," said that gentleman promptly, "but I may know -who killed the old woman and has the fan."</p> - -<p>Hwei flung himself forward. "Tell--tell--tell," he grasped, and -he laid his long fingers on Burgh's throat. The young man threw -him over with a great effort and slipped back to the wall, where -he stood beside Rupert. The two had out their revolvers. "You -wait," said Clarence in a breathless voice, for the struggle -though brief had been violent, "tell me the secret of the fan, -and I'll give you the name of the person who has it."</p> - -<p>"What," cried Hwei furiously, "betray my master, you foreign -devil. I will kill you first."</p> - -<p>"You've just got five minutes to do it in," cried Burgh -jeeringly.</p> - -<p>The Chinaman put his fingers to his lips and blew a shrill -whistle. In a moment the room was filled with Chinamen, -chattering and screaming like so many infuriated parrots. Hwei -threw himself on the young men. "Die--Die--" he said thickly.</p> - -<p>"Fire--fire," cried Clarence, kicking Hwei back.</p> - -<p>For the next few minutes Rupert had no very clear idea of what -was happening. He fired into the mass of Chinamen pushing -forward, and heard a cry as a man dropped. The others fell over -him, and in the struggle upset the shrine. The ugly joss rolled -on to the floor and caught fire. There were shrill screams from -the Chinese, who began to jab with their knives. Clarence was -rolling on the floor in close grips with Hwei, and the draperies -of the joss flared away in a brilliant manner. It seemed as -though the two rash men would be either burnt or stabbed, and -the end was coming rapidly.</p> - -<p>All at once the silvery chime of the clock sounded and then came -the rapid striking of the hour. The door opened and the boy in -red, appeared. He said something in a screaming voice, and then, -almost as by magic, the room emptied. The rolling mass of -Chinamen had extinguished the flaming joss, and Hwei, suddenly -disengaging himself from the buccaneer, darted through the door. -The boy followed with the rest of the assailants, and when -Rupert and Burgh got their breath they found themselves facing -the still smoking joss, with Tung-yu blandly smiling at them.</p> - -<p>"Ho," said Clarence rising and shaking himself. "I guess the -row's over. Hurt Ainsleigh?"</p> - -<p>"Got a flesh wound," said Rupert, winding his handkerchief round -his left arm, "and you?"</p> - -<p>"I'm as right as a pie. So here's Tung-yu. Your hour I guess."</p> - -<p>The Chinaman bowed, and picking up the god restored him to his -shrine, which was considerably damaged. "It is lucky the red boy -cried that Hwei's hour was over," he said coolly, "or you would -both have been killed."</p> - -<p>"You wouldn't have got the fan though," said Rupert throwing -himself down on his seat, "but you don't intend to kill us I -suppose."</p> - -<p>"No. The god Kwang-ho is merciful now. I make you rich."</p> - -<p>"Humph," said Burgh crossly, "I wish I had that fan with me."</p> - -<p>"You have, or Mr. Ainsleigh here, has it," said Tung-yu, "I will -give you five thousand for the fan."</p> - -<p>"I haven't got it."</p> - -<p>"Think--ten thousand."</p> - -<p>"Great Scot!" cried Clarence avariciously, "wish I could trade."</p> - -<p>"Fifteen thousand," said Tung-yu his eyes glittering, "come -gentlemen it's better to be rich than dead. For the next -twenty-four hours I can give you money. Then comes Hewi's hour -and he will kill you."</p> - -<p>"Not much," said Burgh, "I'm going to cut."</p> - -<p>"You shall be kept here, till you give up the fan."</p> - -<p>Rupert shrugged his shoulders. "You won't believe," he said, -"why not search us. Then you can see we have not the fan. Do you -believe that Major Tidman has it?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. He gave it to you. He killed--"</p> - -<p>"He did not. Can you swear that he did?"</p> - -<p>"No. But I thought--"</p> - -<p>"Oh shucks," said Clarence shoving himself forward, "see here -Mr. Tung-yu. I'm sick of this business. We haven't got that -durned fan. But I can tell you who has."</p> - -<p>"Tell then and I give you a thousand pounds."</p> - -<p>"Not good enough," said Burgh coolly, "see here, you let us go -free and tell us the fan's secret, and I'll tell you."</p> - -<p>"Yes, and get the fan, and learn the secret," cried Tung-yu -excited, "but you cannot make use of the secret."</p> - -<p>"Don't want to. And as to the fan, you can get it from the -person I tell you of. Then you can fork out fifteen thousand."</p> - -<p>The Chinaman deliberated. "We have been wrong about Major -Tidman, I think," said he politely. "It seems someone else has -it. I suppose----"</p> - -<p>"I didn't kill the old girl myself if that's what you mean."</p> - -<p>"Quite so," said Tung-yu, after another pause. "Well, as you -can't make any use of the secret I'll tell you of it. Then you -can go free, after you have told me who killed Miss Wharf."</p> - -<p>"Eight oh," said Clarence, and Rupert listened breathlessly.</p> - -<p>"The fan," said Tung-yu, "is jade on one side, and enamel on the -other. The enamelled side is painted with a picture invisibly. -To bring out the picture, this fan has to be waved in certain -smoke--"</p> - -<p>"What sort of smoke?"</p> - -<p>"I won't tell you that," said Tung-yu politely, "I have told -enough."</p> - -<p>"Well, then," said Rupert, "when the picture is visible what -happens?"</p> - -<p>"It will show a hiding place which contains certain things we -want to get, in order to ruin Lo-Keong with the Empress."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I see, a plan of a secret hiding-place."</p> - -<p>"Now you know," said Tung-yu to Clarence, "tell me----"</p> - -<p>"Not till I know of the smoke."</p> - -<p>"I refuse. But I give you fifteen thousand to get that fan. One -thousand now if you tell me who killed the woman and who has -it."</p> - -<p>"Good," said Clarence, "I'll trade. Dr. Forge strangled Miss -Wharf."</p> - -<p>"Ah," said Tung-yu leaping up, "he has the fan. Thanks -Kwang-ho," and he bowed to the half-destroyed image.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_17" href="#div1Ref_17">CHAPTER XVII</a></h4> -<h5>A Disappearance</h5> -<br> - -<p>When Rupert returned to Marport next day, Burgh accompanied him. -The young squire of Royabay wished to give information to the -police regarding the guilt of Forge. But Clarence persuaded him -against doing so. "You'll only get me into a row," said he, in -his candid way. "You see I told a lie."</p> - -<p>"You tell so many lies," said Rupert sharply, "I don't know but -what I ought to give you in charge."</p> - -<p>"I guess not, seeing I saved your life last night."</p> - -<p>"No. You're right there Burgh. But have you really anything to -do with this murder?"</p> - -<p>"No, 'cept as how I told old Tung-yu last night."</p> - -<p>"Just repeat what you said. I was so faint with the loss of -blood that I didn't gather half you said."</p> - -<p>Burgh nodded. "You were pretty sick. I'd to help you back to -civilization, same as if you were drunk. If I hadn't, you'd have -been robbed and killed down that Bowery gangway."</p> - -<p>Ainsleigh could not, but acknowledge that Clarence had acted -very well. He had saved him from the man who attacked him in the -street, and also, it was owing to him that the two had escaped -from the gang of Hwei. Finally Burgh had taken Rupert back to -the Guelph Hotel in Jermyn Street, when he was rather shaky from -the wound. It was much better this morning, but Ainsleigh looked -pale, and not at all himself. Still he did not grudge the -trifling wound--it was merely a scratch although it had bled -freely,--as the knowledge he had acquired, was well worth the -trouble. They had left the den in Penters Alley, some time after -midnight, and had returned safely to the West, where Rupert had -acted as host to Burgh. That was Clarence all over. Whenever he -did anyone a service, he always took it out of him in some way, -and but, for the dangerous position in which he found himself -would have quartered his carcase on Rupert for an indefinite -period.</p> - -<p>"But there ain't no denying that I'm in a fix," said Burgh, as -the train drew near Marport. "That is, if you split Ainsleigh."</p> - -<p>"No, I won't split on you. But if Forge is guilty he must be -arrested," said Rupert decisively.</p> - -<p>"But I don't know if he strangled the old girl after all."</p> - -<p>"You said he did, last night."</p> - -<p>"Well I wanted to know the secret of that fan."</p> - -<p>Rupert shrugged his shoulders. "You know that the fan when -waved in a certain smoke--of which by the way you learned -nothing--reveals a hiding place which contains certain things -Tung-yu wants--"</p> - -<p>"To ruin Lo-Keong," said Burgh quickly. "So I guess if I can -pick up that fan from old Forge, I'll yank in the dollars."</p> - -<p>"Aren't you satisfied with what you have."</p> - -<p>"This thousand. Oh that's all right. I cashed the cheque before -I joined you at the station--got it in gold so I can clear out -when it suits me. It's always as well to be ready to git."</p> - -<p>"I suppose," said Ainsleigh dryly, "in your varied career, you -have had frequent occasions to 'git' as you call it."</p> - -<p>"You bet. But git's slang American and good Turkish lingo, so -you've no need to sneer old man. 'Say, about Forge. What's to be -done?"</p> - -<p>"I'll communicate with Rodgers and tell him what you say. If the -doctor is guilty he must suffer."</p> - -<p>"My eye," said Clarence reflectively, "won't aunty be mad. Well -I guess this will square us: she won't play low down on me -again."</p> - -<p>"Burgh, you're a blackguard."</p> - -<p>"I am, that's a fact," said the buccaneer in no wise disturbed. -"But don't you say that in public or the fur'll fly."</p> - -<p>"Pooh. You know I'm equal to you. But this story--"</p> - -<p>"The one I told Tung-yu last night," grinned Burgh, "I'll reel -it out now, and you can sort it out as you choose. I believe -Forge to be the scragger of the old girl, because he had that -tie of yours."</p> - -<p>"How did he get the tie?"</p> - -<p>"I gave it to him," confessed Clarence candidly.</p> - -<p>"Yes--I remember you said so last night. But I forget how you -explained the getting of it."</p> - -<p>"Huh," drawled Burgh folding his arms. "You might call it -stealing old pard. Y'see Miss Pewsey--my old aunty that is--saw -Olivia--"</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Ainsleigh, hang you."</p> - -<p>"Right oh," continued Burgh imperturbably. "Well, aunty saw -Mrs. Ainsleigh pass the tie to you, and when you went to the -cloak-room she told me. I was real mad not knowing how things -were, as I wanted that tie for myself. I'd no notion of your -getting things made by the young lady I was sweet on.</p> - -<p>"I wish you would leave out my wife's name," said Rupert -angrily, and wincing with pain, for his wound hurt him not a -little.</p> - -<p>"I'll try: don't get your hair off. Well I cut along to the -card room--no t'wasn't the card room--the cloak-room, and saw you -standing by your coat, just hanging it up again."</p> - -<p>"And you saw me put the tie in the pocket."</p> - -<p>"I guess not: but I fancied you might have done so. Then I -waited outside while you yarned with the Chinese cove and -Tidman. After that I cut in and you know the rest."</p> - -<p>"Up to the time I knocked you down. Well?"</p> - -<p>"Smashing blow," said Burgh coolly, "you can use your hands -pretty well I reckon--but a six shooter's more in my line. Well, -when you cut, I lay down and saw stars for a time. Then I -thought I'd pay you out by annexing the tie."</p> - -<p>"You didn't know it was there?"</p> - -<p>"Thought it might be," rejoined Burgh coolly, "anyhow there was -no harm in trying. I found the tie, and went out with it, -thinking you be pretty sick when you found it gone. I went into -the card-room where old Forge was cheating I guess, and had a -yarn along o'him. He just roared when I showed him the tie, for -he hates you like pie."</p> - -<p>"What's that?" asked Rupert sharply, "you are mistaken."</p> - -<p>"I guess not. That old man would have been glad to see you -scragged, Mr. Ainsleigh. He asked me to let him have the tie--"</p> - -<p>"What for?"</p> - -<p>Burgh shrugged his shoulders. "He didn't say. But I let him have -it anyhow. I wasn't in a position to refuse. Y'see Ainsleigh I'm -not a holy Bill and--"</p> - -<p>"And Forge knows a few of your escapades likely to land you -in--"</p> - -<p>"Y'needn't say the word," interrupted Burgh in his turn, -"t'isn't a pretty one. But I guess Forge could make things hot -for me if he liked, so that was why I lay low when I saw the tie -round the old girl's throat. I guessed then. Forge had scragged -her and boned the fan. I asked him about it, and he lied like -billeo. Said he'd lost the tie, and never touched the old 'un. -Then he said if I made any fuss, he'd tell the police about--"</p> - -<p>"About what?" asked Ainsleigh, seeing the man hesitate.</p> - -<p>"Huh," replied Burgh, uncomfortably, "I guess that's my -business. I told you I wasn't a saint."</p> - -<p>"I suspect you're a thorough paced gaol-bird."</p> - -<p>"No, I ain't been in quod. Where I gavorted round, in the Naked -Lands, they don't shove a man in chokey for every trifle."</p> - -<p>"Such as murder. Eh?"</p> - -<p>"I haven't murdered anyone yet," confessed Clarence, easily, -"but one never knows. But I told about Forge last night, as I -wanted to get this thousand. Now I'll try for the fan, and see -if I can't get the fifteen thousand to come my way. If Forge -cuts up rough, I'll light out with what I have"--he slapped his -pockets--"for Callao," and he began to sing the old song:--</p> - -<div style="margin-left: 10%; font-size:smaller"> -<p class="t1">"On no occasion, is extradition,</p> -<p class="t4">Allowed in Callao."</p> -</div> - -<p class="continue">"And I know a daisy of a girl out there," said the scamp, -winking.</p> - -<p>Ainsleigh was too disgusted to speak. He felt that as he was as -big a ruffian as Burgh, to tolerate this conversation, and he -was relieved when the train steamed into Marport station. As -soon as it stopped he jumped out, and nodding to his companion, -he was about to take his leave, when Clarence stopped him. "Say. -You won't round on Forge till I get this fan business settled."</p> - -<p>"I intend to write to Rodgers to-day," said Ainsleigh, tartly, -"bad as your aunt is, she shan't marry that scoundrel if I can -help it."</p> - -<p>"But I only know Forge got the scarf as I told you. He mightn't -have scragged her y'know. He says he didn't."</p> - -<p>"And relied on what he knows of you to keep things quiet. No, -Mr. Burgh, I intend to have the man arrested," and Rupert turned -away, while Clarence, apparently not at all disturbed, went away -whistling his Callao ditty.</p> - -<p>Rupert drove to Royabay and was welcomed with joy by his wife. -She was much alarmed when she saw his condition, and was very -angry when he told of his danger. She made him lie down, and -bathed the wound, of which Rupert made light. "It's nothing, -dear," he said.</p> - -<p>"It might be dangerous. There might have been poison on that -knife, Rupert. You know what the Chinese are."</p> - -<p>"No, Olivia, I certainly don't. All this business of the fan and -the god Kwang-ho is most ridiculous."</p> - -<p>"Tell me all about it," said Olivia, when she had placed a tray, -with tea and toast, before him.</p> - -<p>"I shall do so at once, as I want your advice," and Rupert -related all that had occurred from the time of his meeting with -Clarence Burgh in the train on the previous night. Olivia -listened in silence. "Well," asked Rupert, drinking his tea, -"what do you think?"</p> - -<p>"I think Mr. Burgh is a scoundrel."</p> - -<p>"Anyone can see that!"</p> - -<p>"And worthy of his aunt."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps. She's a bad one that Miss Pewsey, but she may not know -what a rascal she has for a relative. And at all events, I can't -let her marry Forge. Do you believe he is guilty?"</p> - -<p>"He might be," said Olivia cautiously, "but I would much rather -believe that Burgh gave the tie to his aunt and that she -strangled aunt Sophia."</p> - -<p>Rupert laughed. "What a vindictive person you are dearest," said -he. "Miss Pewsey is bad but not so bad as that."</p> - -<p>"I'd credit her with anything," said Olivia, who was truly -feminine in her detestation of Miss Pewsey. "She has insulted me -for years, and put aunt Sophia against me, and caused me to lose -the money."</p> - -<p>"Well--well," said Rupert soothingly, "let us think the best of -her--she has her good points.</p> - -<p>"Where are they--what are they? She is a--no," Olivia checked -herself and looked penitent, "I really must not give way to such -unworthy feelings. I'll try and think the best of her, and I -agree with you darling, that she must not marry Dr. Forge."</p> - -<p>"Do you think I should write to Rodgers?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly. The marriage must be stopped. Write to-day."</p> - -<p>But Rupert did not write that day, for the simple reason that -the wound on his arm grew very painful, and he became delirious. -The doctor who was called in, said that there was poison in the -blood and then Olivia was alarmed lest Rupert should lose his -arm, and perhaps his life. However, the doctor was young and -clever and by careful treatment he drew out the poison and in a -few days, the young man's arm had resumed its normal condition, -and his brain again became clear. Then he wrote a letter to -Rodgers asking him to come down to Royabay on a matter connected -with the murder of his wife's aunt. After the letter had been -posted, Rupert went out for a walk with his wife, and strolled -round the grounds. As the two crossed the lawn admiring the -beauty of the day which was bright and clear and slightly -frosty, Mrs. Petley appeared, coming up the avenue. She made -straight for the young couple.</p> - -<p>"Please Master Rupert, that gent's called again."</p> - -<p>"What, Mr. Burgh?" said Olivia, and then in answer to her -husband's enquiring look she explained. "He has called for the -last three days, dear, since you were ill. I never told you, as -I thought it might worry you."</p> - -<p>"And he just called to ask how you were. Master Rupert," said -the old housekeeper, "and never come nearer than the lodge, as -old Payne can testify. I told him you were out walking and he -asked if he could come in and see you."</p> - -<p>"Certainly," said Rupert--then, when Mrs. Petley hurried away, -he turned to Olivia. "Burgh simply wants to find out if I have -communicated with Rodgers. He's frightened for his own skin."</p> - -<p>Shortly Mrs. Petley returned with the information that Mr. Burgh -was nowhere to be seen. This did not trouble Rupert who thought -that the buccaneer (always of an impatient disposition) might -have grown tired of waiting. With Olivia, he strolled round the -grounds for thirty minutes and at length entered the ruins of -the Abbey. Here the first thing they saw, was Mr. Clarence Burgh -seated on a stone under the copper beech. He jumped up and came -forward, with his usual grace and invariable impudence.</p> - -<p>"Glad to see you out again, Ainsleigh," said he taking off his -hat, "and you look well, Mrs. Ainsleigh--just like a picture."</p> - -<p>"Thank you," replied Olivia, concealing her dislike with -difficulty, "you wish to see my husband I presume."</p> - -<p>"Just for two shakes," said Clarence easily, "say old man, what -about Forge. Are y' going to' round on him?"</p> - -<p>Rupert nodded, "I have written to Rodgers to-day. But I'll give -him this chance of escape--warn him if you like."</p> - -<p>"Not me," said Burgh coldly, "every man for his own durned -skin--begging your pardon Mrs. Ainsleigh. I saw him while you -were trying for Kingdom Come, and told him that he'd the fan."</p> - -<p>"What did he say?"</p> - -<p>"Gave me the lie. Swore he'd been in the card-room between -eleven and twelve, and never saw the old girl. Said he'd had -enough of the fan, as it had nearly caused his death. Then he -said he'd split on me if I gave him away."</p> - -<p>"But you told him, you did confess to the Chinaman."</p> - -<p>"Oh that's all right. Forge don't care a red cent for their -telling the police. They won't engineer the biznai into the -courts. So long as they get the fan, they don't mind. Forge -knows they won't make the matter public, but now he's in mortal -fear, lest they should kill him."</p> - -<p>"Thinking he's got the fan."</p> - -<p>"You bet--on my evidence. Well," said Burgh calmly and with a -twinkle in his evil eyes. "I reckon old man Forge is in an -almighty fix. He's in danger of being knifed by Hwei--thanks to -me, and of being hanged for killing the old girl--thanks to -you."</p> - -<p>Olivia's face expressed her disgust. "If you have heard all you -wish to hear, we'll go away," she said to her husband.</p> - -<p>"Right oh," said Burgh. "Don't mind me. Pretty place y'have -here," he added looking round the beautiful cloisters, "that's -the place where they lynched the old monk I reckon. I've heard -that silly rhyme of yours, Ainsleigh. I guess you've fulfilled -one part."</p> - -<p>"How so?" asked Rupert stiffly.</p> - -<p>"About the marriage y'know. A poor Ainsleigh has wedded a poor -wife. So that's all right. Now I--"</p> - -<p>"I must be going," interrupted Ainsleigh annoyed by the man's -glib talk, "have you anything else to say?"</p> - -<p>"Only this. Forge is going to hitch long-side Aunt Lavinia -to-morrow, and if you run him in, she'll get left."</p> - -<p>"All the better for her," said Ainsleigh calmly, "he's a bad -lot."</p> - -<p>"That's so. Much worse than you think. He was the man who tried -to stab you in Penter's Alley."</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"He was though. I saw his face under the lamp, as he let fly. -Then he cut and--you know the rest. But I'm off. My eye," -Clarence chuckled, "what a shine there'll be to-morrow, when -Aunty gets left."</p> - -<p>Burgh strolled away whistling, and Olivia expressed her disgust -at his free and easy manners. Rupert, reflecting on what -Clarence had told him of Forge's assault, resolved to be a fair -and open enemy. He decided to call on Forge and tell him that he -had written to Rodgers. Also, he desired to ask why he attempted -the second crime. Olivia approved, so Rupert went early next day -to Tidman's Avenue. The door was opened by Mrs. Bressy who was -wiping her mouth as though she had just been at the bottle, -which was probably the case. In reply to Rupert's enquiry for -her master, she told him that Dr. Forge had gone. "He went to -Londing, sir--larst night," said Mrs. Bressy.</p> - -<p>"Did he leave any address?"</p> - -<p>"No, Mr. Ainsleigh, he did not."</p> - -<p>The inference was easy. Forge had bolted.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_18" href="#div1Ref_18">CHAPTER XVIII</a></h4> -<h5>A Surprise</h5> -<br> - -<p>Rupert was much disappointed that Forge had not been arrested. -Apart from the fact that he thought the old scoundrel should -suffer for his dastardly crime in killing an inoffensive woman, -he wished to learn what Forge could reveal of his father's -death. The explanation already given, did not satisfy him, and -he suspected that the doctor knew more than he chose to admit. -But under pressure, and standing in danger of his life, he might -be induced to be more explicit. But, as the man, apparently -warned by Clarence, had disappeared, there was no more to be -said. And Forge had taken a large trunk, and all his loose cash, -so there was no doubt that he intended to keep away from -Marport.</p> - -<p>Ainsleigh, much disgusted, went to seek Clarence Burgh at the -Bristol Hotel, but learned, that he also, had gone away. Much -perplexed the young man sought out Major Tidman, and laid the -case before him. The Major was much astonished at the recital, -and very angry to learn that Hwei and Tung-yu suspected him of -the murder. "But I guessed they did, from the fact of that -letter asking after the fan," said Tidman, pacing his room, much -agitated. "I hope Ainsleigh, they don't think I have it now, or -my life will not be worth a moment's purchase."</p> - -<p>"No. You needn't worry. Burgh has fully convinced them, that -Forge has the fan."</p> - -<p>"Then they'll make for him."</p> - -<p>"No doubt, and perhaps that is why Forge cleared out. But I -don't understand why our friend Burgh should make himself -scarce."</p> - -<p>"I do," said Tidman sitting down and wiping his bald forehead, -"he isn't a man with a clean past, and Forge knows about it. -It's just on the cards that, to revenge himself on Burgh for -having told Hwei about the fan. Forge has written to the police -giving an account of Master Clarence's delinquency."</p> - -<p>"But, on the other hand, if Burgh warned Forge that I had -written to Rodgers, the doctor might forgive him."</p> - -<p>"Not he. Forge is a bitter hater, and after all, Clarence would -only be trying to right, what he had put wrong. If he'd held his -tongue about the fan and the murder, there would be no need for -Forge to cut. As it is, I believe the doctor will make it hot -for our mutual friend."</p> - -<p>"When did you see Burgh last?"</p> - -<p>"At dinner last night. He said nothing about going away, and I -quite believed he would stop on. He's in good quarters here and -Miss Pewsey is paying the bill. But he took a small bag with -him, saying he was going up town for a few days, and left by the -nine evening train."</p> - -<p>"Ah! He may come back after all."</p> - -<p>"He may: but I doubt it. He doesn't want to face an inquiry. You -see he gave the tie to Forge and said nothing about it at the -inquest, so that makes him an accessory after the fact."</p> - -<p>"But Burgh didn't know Forge's game."</p> - -<p>"No. All the same he should have spoken out at the inquest. -Well, and what is to be done now?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing. I'm sick of the whole business. But Forge told me that -this Mandarin, Lo-Keong, holds eight thousand pounds belonging -to my father. I intend to write for it."</p> - -<p>Tidman looked doubtful. "I don't think you'll get it," said he, -"unless you produce the fan."</p> - -<p>"Oh! I expect Forge has taken that away with him."</p> - -<p>"Well then, Tung-yu and Hwei will be on his track, and I -shouldn't give much for his life."</p> - -<p>"Wait a bit. He may get the money from Tung-yu."</p> - -<p>"If he chances on Tung-yu's day. Queer start that," added the -Major musingly, "the red boy appeared when I just had my big toe -cut off and saved my life. It happened, much the same with you, -and Hwei lost his power, as he was getting ready to kill you. I -wonder these two scoundrels obey the god so slavishly."</p> - -<p>"Oh, they are both afraid of the god," said Rupert, rising to -take his leave, "but I must get home. There's nothing more to be -discussed."</p> - -<p>"Nothing," replied the Major chuckling, "unless it is about that -old cat's disappointment. I'll go up to St. Peter's church and -see how she takes it."</p> - -<p>"Of course," said Ainsleigh lingering at the door, "it's her -wedding day. I expect she knows by this time, that Forge has -cut.</p> - -<p>"I hope not," said the Major cruelly. "I wouldn't lose the fun -for something."</p> - -<p>Rupert didn't agree with his callous view of the case, as Miss -Pewsey was a woman after all, although a bad one; and it would -be hard that she should suffer, what she would certainly regard -as a public disgrace. So Rupert avoided St. Peter's Church, and -went home again. Here he found Olivia with a letter.</p> - -<p>"This arrived by the early post," she explained, "but you went -out so quickly, that I could not give it to you. Just look at it -Rupert, such beautiful writing."</p> - -<p>"A foreigner's evidently," said her husband, looking at the -really elegant calligraphy. "They take more care than we do of -their pot-hook and hangers. Olivia." He started.</p> - -<p>"What's the matter?"</p> - -<p>Rupert put the envelope under her nose. "Smell it. Don't you -recognise the scent."</p> - -<p>"No," said Mrs. Ainsleigh, "it's a strange scent."</p> - -<p>"Very, and was used to perfume the letter which Tung-yu sent to -Major Tidman. This may have to do with the fan again."</p> - -<p>Olivia looked nervous. "I wish we could hear the last of it," -she said. "It has caused enough trouble already. Open the -letter, dear."</p> - -<p>Rupert did so and was more astonished than ever. "Here's an -unexpected development," he remarked, passing the letter to -Olivia, "Lo-Keong is in England."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Ainsleigh read the few lines which stated that the mandarin -was stopping at a fashionable hotel in Northumberland Avenue, -and would do himself the honour of calling on the son of his old -friend in a few days. "He's come to see after the fan personally," -said Olivia returning the letter. "I am glad."</p> - -<p>"So am I," said Rupert quickly. "I'll now learn the truth about -my father, and see if I can't get that eight thousand pounds."</p> - -<p>"Rupert, do you think Lo-Keong killed your father?"</p> - -<p>"I can't say. Forge declared over and over again, that he died -of dysentery, and that Lo-Keong seized the money for the Boxers. -But I'll demand an explanation from the Mandarin."</p> - -<p>"Will he give it?" asked Mrs. Ainsleigh doubtfully.</p> - -<p>"He'll have to," replied Rupert grimly, "and he'll have to give -the money back also. I don't care for Forge's cash, as a villain -such as he is, doesn't deserve any reward. But I want my own -eight thousand, and I'll have it."</p> - -<p>"I hope so," sighed Olivia, "we could then pay off Miss Pewsey, -or rather Mrs. Forge, as she no doubt is by this time."</p> - -<p>"No. Forge has bolted."</p> - -<p>"What, on the eve of the wedding?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. He cleared out last night. Either he fears being arrested -for the murder of your aunt, or he dreads lest Hwei should come -down to kill him for the sake of the fan. At all events he has -gone, and Miss Pewsey is no doubt waiting at the altar of St. -Peter's Church, for a bridegroom who will never come. But we -must attend to our own troubles, dear. I'll write to the -Mandarin to-day and ask him to visit us when it suits him. Or -else I can run up----"</p> - -<p>"No," interrupted Olivia in a voice of alarm. "I won't have you -go away again, until this fan business is settled. I'm always -afraid of your falling into the hands of these Chinamen. I shall -ask Mr. Lo-Keong, to stop them searching for the fan."</p> - -<p>"He can stop Hwei," said Rupert rising, "but Tung-yu is in the -employment of Hop Sing, the Mandarin's rival. Don't be afraid, -my dearest, I have been protected by Providence these many days, -and it is not likely that I'll come to grief. But I fear for -Forge and for Burgh, who has likewise bolted. Those two will -certainly get into trouble."</p> - -<p>"It is wrong to say so," said Mrs. Ainsleigh with a sigh, "but I -<i>do</i> dislike that man Burgh, and Dr. Forge also."</p> - -<p>"Leave them in God's hands, dear," replied her husband gravely, -"if they have sinned, they will be punished. What we have to do, -is to learn if Lo-Keong will restore this money. I'll write, -asking him to come down to Royabay," and Rupert went to the -library forthwith.</p> - -<p>It was an autumnal day with a promise of rain. Ragged clouds -drifted across a cold blue sky, and the wind was rather high. -Already many trees had shed their leaves, but the pine boughs -still bore their sombre burdens. Everything looked old and -miserable, and there seemed to lurk a premonition of evil -in the air. At least, Olivia thought so, as she stood at the -drawing-room window, looking out on to the terrace and down the -avenue, which could be seen from this point of view. Rupert was -in the library engaged on his letter to the Mandarin, and Olivia -was half inclined to join him. She felt weary, chilly and out of -spirits, and could not account for doing so.</p> - -<p>"I'm the happiest girl in the world," she assured herself, "I -have married the man I love, and he adores me. He rescued me -from a miserable life, and is making me immensely happy. I -should certainly be in the best of spirits, yet----"</p> - -<p>She stopped short at this point and her eyes became fixed, while -a colour flushed her somewhat pale cheeks. And no wonder. Up the -avenue, battling against the force of the wind, came Miss -Pewsey. She wore a bridal dress of white, a lace bonnet trimmed -with orange blossoms, and carried a bouquet of flowers. To see -this figure in such a dress walking under a sombre sky, between -dripping trees, and with the winds blowing furiously against it, -was a strange sight, and gave Olivia what the Scotch call "a -grue." Then she became indignant. It was insolent, she thought, -that this woman who had insulted her so often, who had made her -life miserable, who had robbed her of her inheritance and who -had tried to defame her character, should thus present herself. -On the impulse of the moment and in spite of wind, and of the -rain, which was beginning to fall, Mrs. Ainsleigh threw open the -French window and stepped out on to the terrace. It was in her -mind, to order Miss Pewsey away. She deserved little mercy at -Olivia's hands.</p> - -<p>The noise made by the opening of the window made Miss Pewsey -raise her head, and then she came straight across the grass. As -she drew near, Olivia was struck with the tragic horror of her -face. She was always old in her looks, but now she seemed at -least a hundred. Her lips were white, her eyes red and with dark -circles under them; a myriad wrinkles ploughed her face, and her -usually bright eyes were dim and blood-shot. To see this weird -face under the bridal bonnet was at once grotesque and pathetic. -Without a word, Miss Pewsey climbed the steps gasping at every -step, and came directly towards Olivia. She passed her and -entered the room. Mrs. Ainsleigh came after in a whirlwind of -passion.</p> - -<p>"What do you mean?" she demanded, "this is <i>my</i> house."</p> - -<p>"I am aware of the fact," said Miss Pewsey dropping into a chair -and shaking out her soiled and sodden bridal dress, "but it may -be mine before the end of the year. But don't let us quarrel," -she went on in a piteous way, "I'm in trouble."</p> - -<p>"What is it?" asked Olivia, who could guess.</p> - -<p>"Theophilus has left me. Yes! Last night he went away leaving a -cold letter behind him which was to be delivered to me at the -altar. And it was," wept Miss Pewsey, "that old woman Mrs. -Bressy brought the note. It said that Theophilus has left me for -ever. And all my friends were there, and I was awaiting the -happy hour, then--then"--she broke down sobbing.</p> - -<p>Olivia was touched. Miss Pewsey had always been her enemy, yet -there was something about the unhappy creature which called for -sympathy.</p> - -<p>"I am sorry for your trouble," said Mrs. Ainsleigh, in a softer -voice.</p> - -<p>"No," said Miss Pewsey drying her eyes with a very wet -handkerchief, "you can't be, I never liked you, nor you me."</p> - -<p>"That is perfectly true, and you turned my aunt against me. All -the same I <i>am</i> sorry, and anything I can do shall be done."</p> - -<p>Miss Pewsey threw herself on her knees before her enemy, who was -thus heaping coals of fire on her head. "Then ask your husband -to leave my Theophilus alone," she whispered. "Clarence, who has -also gone, wrote to me, and said that Mr. Ainsleigh accused -Theophilus of the death of my dearest Sophia."</p> - -<p>"What," cried Olivia, "does Mr. Burgh dare. Why he accuses Dr. -Forge, himself. Rupert certainly wrote to the detective Mr. -Rodgers, but Mr. Burgh has to substantiate his statement."</p> - -<p>Miss Pewsey jumped up. "What," she said, much more her own evil -self, "did Clarence accuse my Theophilus? It's a lie--a lie. I -have kept silence too long--much too long."</p> - -<p>"About what?"</p> - -<p>"About the murder," screamed Miss Pewsey, "it was Clarence who -killed my Sophia--yes--you may look and look Olivia--but it was -Clarence himself. He took the tie from the coat-pocket. I told -him, you had given it to him, and--"</p> - -<p>"But he gave it to Dr. Forge."</p> - -<p>"He did not. Clarence took Sophia out on to the steps--at least -he appointed to meet her there, to tell her about the fan. Then -he strangled her, thinking your husband would be accused. -Theophilus came on Clarence when he was picking up the fan. -Sophia held it in her death grip, and it was some time before he -could get it loose. Theophilus came, and hearing steps, Clarence -ran away down to the beach. Then he returned to the ball-room by -the front of the hotel."</p> - -<p>"But the fan?"</p> - -<p>"Theophilus Forge has it," said Miss Pewsey, setting her face, -"and I expect he has taken it with him."</p> - -<p>"Why didn't you tell this at the inquest."</p> - -<p>"Because I didn't. Clarence is my own sister's son. I could not -see him hanged. He had to hold his tongue, although he wanted -the fan back again. But I insisted that Theophilus should make -the money out of it. This is Clarence's revenge. Because the fan -is kept from him he threatens Theophilus; oh Olivia, <i>do</i> ask -your husband to leave the matter alone, I will give up that -mortgage--"</p> - -<p>"I can do nothing," said Olivia, "it isn't in my husband's -power. He has written to Rodgers--"</p> - -<p>"But he has not told him anything," said Miss Pewsey eagerly.</p> - -<p>"No. He merely asked him to call."</p> - -<p>"Then he shall see <i>me</i>, and I'll tell him of Clarence's -wickedness. But the fan--the fan--we'll get the money and -Theophilus will come back to be loved and respected. I don't -love him, but I see we can make a lot of money together. The -fan," said Miss Pewsey counting on her lean fingers, "the money -from Lo-Keong--the money of Sophia and--"</p> - -<p>"Oh," cried Olivia in disgust, "go away you miserable creature, -and think of the hereafter."</p> - -<p>Miss Pewsey gave a shrill laugh. "You can't help me, and your -husband can't help me, so I'll go. But when I come back here, it -shall be as mistress. I hate you Olivia--I have always hated -you--I--I--oh you"--she could utter no more, but gasping, shook -her fist and ran out of the window and down the avenue with an -activity surprising in a women of her years.</p> - -<p>After dinner and while they were seated in the library, Olivia -told Rupert of Miss Pewsey's visit and accusation. He declined -to believe the tale. "If Burgh was guilty he wouldn't have -brought an accusation against Forge," he said, "as the doctor, -if this is true, knows the truth. And Forge, if innocent, would -not have cleared--"</p> - -<p>While Ainsleigh was thus explaining, the door was burst open and -Mrs. Petley, white as chalk, rushed in. "The ghost--the ghost," -said she dropping into a chair, "the monk--in the Abbey."</p> - -<p>Anxious to learn if there was any truth in these frequent -apparitions reported by Mrs. Petley, Rupert left the swooning -woman to the care of his wife and departed hastily from the -room. Calling old Petley, he went out of the front door across -the lawn and into the cloisters. Petley, hobbled almost on his -heels with a lantern. The young man stopped at the entrance to -the cloisters, and listened. It was raining hard and the ground -was sopping wet. But beyond the drip of the rain, and the -sighing of the trees, no sound could be heard. Snatching the -lantern from Petley, Rupert advanced boldly into the open, and -swung the light too and fro and round about. He could see no -ghost, nor any dark figure suggestive of Abbot Raoul.</p> - -<p>"Try the black square," piped the feeble voice of Petley, -behind.</p> - -<p>With a shrug Rupert did so. He thought that the housekeeper was -mistaken as usual, and that the ghost was the outcome of her too -vivid imagination. Walking deliberately to the black square -where Abbot Raoul had been burnt three hundred years before, he -swung the light over its bare surface. In the centre he saw -something sparkle, and stooped. Then he rose with a cry. It was -a fan. Rupert picked it up, opened it, and looked at it in the -lantern light. There were the four beads and half a bead and the -green jade leaves. The very fan itself.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_19" href="#div1Ref_19">CHAPTER XIX</a></h4> -<h5>A Visitor</h5> -<br> - -<p>How came the fan there--and on the accursed square of ground -where no grass would grow? Rupert was not superstitious, yet his -heart gave a bound, and for the moment he felt sick. This fan -was the cause of much trouble in the past, it had cost one woman -her life, and it might yet claim another victim. With the fan in -his hand, and the yellow light of the guttering candle in the -lantern gleaming on its beauty, he stood stupidly staring, -unheeding the feeble piping of Petley's voice, as he peered in -at the ruined archway.</p> - -<p>"What's the matter, Master Rupert?" questioned the old butler -with a shiver, "have you seen <i>It?</i>"</p> - -<p>"No," said Rupert at length, and he hardly knew his own voice so -heavy and thick it was, "there's nothing to be seen."</p> - -<p>A cry came from the old man. "Don't stand on that accursed -ground. Master Rupert," he said, almost whimpering, "and -to-night, of all times."</p> - -<p>"Why to-night," said Rupert, retreating back to the arch.</p> - -<p>"Any night," shivered Petley putting his hand on his young -master's arm and drawing him out of the cloisters, "it's not a -good place for an Ainsleigh to be in at night. The Abbot--"</p> - -<p>"John, I don't believe in the Abbot."</p> - -<p>"But Anne saw him--or It. She's not the one to tell a lie."</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Petley is deceived in some way." Rupert considered a -moment, and thrust the fan into his pocket. In the darkness, and -because he turned aside the lantern light, old Petley had not -seen that anything had been picked up. "I'm going to search -round," said Rupert.</p> - -<p>The butler gave a long wail as Ainsleigh broke from his grasp. -"No! no!" he cried, lifting his long hands, "not at night."</p> - -<p>But Rupert, now quite himself, did not heed the superstitious -cry. He disbelieved in ghosts more than ever. Some flesh and -blood person had brought the fan, and recollecting Burgh's -story, and what Olivia had reported of Miss Pewsey's talk that -afternoon, he quite expected to find Dr. Forge lurking in the -cloisters. He would search for him, and when face to face, he -would demand an explanation. So Rupert swiftly and lightly, -walked round, holding the light high and low in the hope of -discovering some crouching form. And all the time Petley waited, -trembling at the door.</p> - -<p>The rain fell softly and there was a gentle wind swinging the -heavy boughs of the pines, so that a murmurous sound echoed -through the cloisters like the breaking of league-long waves on -a pebbly beach. For at least half an hour Rupert searched: but -he could see no one: he could not even find the impression of -feet, sodden as was the ground. After looking everywhere within -the cloister, and in the Abbey itself, he brushed past the old -butler and walked down the avenue. Here also, he was at fault as -he could see no one. The gates were closed: but there was a -light in the small house near at hand. Ainsleigh knocked at the -door, and shortly old Payne, holding a candle, above his head, -appeared, expressing surprise.</p> - -<p>"Has anyone entered the gates to-night?" asked his master.</p> - -<p>"No sir. I closed them at five as usual. No one has come in."</p> - -<p>There were no signs of the gates having been climbed, and the -wall which ran round the estate was so high and the top was -pricked with such cruel spikes, that no one could possibly have -entered that way. Old Payne insisted that no one had entered: he -had heard no voices, no footsteps, and seemed much perplexed by -the insistence of his young master. At length Rupert desisted -from making inquiries, being perfectly assured that he would -learn nothing. He returned up the avenue slowly to the mansion, -wondering how it came about, that Forge had entered the ground -and left the fan on the very spot where Abbot Raoul had been -burnt.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Petley had recovered from her swoon and, with her husband, -had retreated to the kitchen. So, Rupert learned from Olivia, -and he then gave her a description of his finding of the fan. -She was very amazed and curious. "Show it to me," she said.</p> - -<p>"Not just now, dear," replied Rupert walking to the door. "I -must ask Mrs. Petley first to explain what she saw."</p> - -<p>"She declares it was Abbot Raoul."</p> - -<p>"Pooh. Forge masquerading as the monk I expect. Though why he should -come here and bring this infernal fan I cannot understand. What is -the time, Olivia?"</p> - -<p>"Nine o'clock," she replied, "we had dinner early."</p> - -<p>"Yes. Well, I'll see Mrs. Petley. You need not say anything -about the fan, and as old John didn't see me pick it up, there -will be no difficulty with him."</p> - -<p>"Why should there be any difficulty with him?" asked Mrs. -Ainsleigh.</p> - -<p>"Your aunt was killed for the sake of the fan, and the person -who killed her must have been within these grounds to-night. I -want to keep the matter quiet, until I see Rodgers to-morrow. -Then I'll explain all, and place the fan in his hands."</p> - -<p>"Then you think Dr. Forge has been here?"</p> - -<p>"Yes--or Clarence Burgh. But, as they have left Marport, I don't -see what they have to gain by remaining in a place fraught with -so much danger to both.</p> - -<p>"They can't both be guilty, Rupert."</p> - -<p>"No. But Burgh declares that Forge strangled your aunt, and Miss -Pewsey lays the blame on her nephew. But I don't believe either -one of them. I shouldn't be at all surprised to learn that the -assassin is Major Tidman after all. He wanted the fan badly, so -as to get the money."</p> - -<p>"But you were with him on the beach, between eleven and twelve."</p> - -<p>"I was, and the evidence of Dr. Forge went to show that Miss -Wharf was killed between those hours. But suppose, Olivia," -Rupert sank his voice and drew nearer. "Suppose Forge knew from -the condition of the body that your aunt had been killed -<i>before</i> eleven, and had procured the fan from Tidman by -threatening to say so, in which case the Major could not have -proved an alibi."</p> - -<p>"It might be so," replied Mrs. Ainsleigh, "but then the body -would have been found earlier."</p> - -<p>"No. There was not a single person, so far as I know, who went -down those steps. Tung-yu certainly did,--but that was after the -crime was committed, and we know he did not carry the fan with -him. It is a very strange case. Perhaps after all, Tidman had -already killed the woman when he joined me on the beach to -smoke."</p> - -<p>"Oh Rupert, how horrid. Was he disturbed."</p> - -<p>"He certainly seemed rather alarmed but I put that down to the -circumstances. He never shook off his fear of that adventure he -had in Canton, and of course the mere presence of Chinamen would -make him uneasy. But he kept his own council. However, we can -talk of this later. I must see Mrs. Petley," and Rupert -disappeared.</p> - -<p>The housekeeper stuck to her story. She had gone into the -cloisters to gather mushrooms which grew therein, and had the -lantern with her. While stooping at the archway to see what she -could pick she heard, even through the moaning of the wind the -swish of a long garment. The sound brought her to her feet, -and--as she phrased it--with her heart in her mouth. The place -was uncanny and she had seen the Abbot before. "But never so -plain--oh never so plain," wailed Mrs. Petley, throwing her -apron over her white hair and rocking. "I held the light over my -head and dropped it with a screech, for, there, not a yard away, -Master Rupert, I saw it, with a long gown and a hood over its -wicked white face--"</p> - -<p>"Did you see the face?"</p> - -<p>"I did, just as I dropped the lantern. White and wicked and -evil. I dropped on my knees and said a prayer with closed eyes -and then it went. I took the lantern and ran for the house for -dear life, till I burst in on you and the mistress. Oh, Master -Rupert dear, what did you see?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing! And I believe, Mrs. Petley, you beheld some rascal -masquerading."</p> - -<p>"No! No! 'Twas a ghost--oh dreary me, my days are numbered."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Petley could not be persuaded that the thing she saw was -flesh and blood, so Rupert gave up trying to convince her. He -returned the lantern back to old John and told the couple to -retire to bed. They were both white and nervous and not fit to -be up. Then he came back to the drawing-room and found Olivia -seated by the fire reading. At the door Rupert paused to think -what a pretty picture she made in her rich dinner-dress--one of -Miss Wharf's gifts--and with one small hand supporting her -dainty head. She looked up, as though she felt the magic of his -gaze, and he approached swiftly to press a kiss on the hand she -held out to him. "Well?" asked Olivia.</p> - -<p>Rupert shrugged his shoulders. "There's nothing to be learned," -said he, "Mrs. Petley won't give in. She believes she has seen a -ghost, and declines that her days are numbered. As she is nearly -seventy, I daresay they are. But this fan"--he took it out of -his pocket.</p> - -<p>"Let me see it," said Olivia stretching out her hand.</p> - -<p>But Rupert drew it away and spread out the leaves. "No, my dear, -I don't like you to handle the horrible thing. And besides, you -have seen it often enough in the hand of your aunt."</p> - -<p>"Yes, but now there is an awful significance about it."</p> - -<p>"There's blood--"</p> - -<p>"Blood," cried his wife shuddering, "but she was strangled."</p> - -<p>"I speak figuratively, my dear. This little trifle has cost one -life: it may cost more. I am quite sure Lo-Keong's life hangs on -this fan, or he would not be so anxious to get it back. It has a -secret, and I intend to learn what the secret is."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you mean to wave it in the smoke," said Olivia remembering -what Rupert had told her of Tung-yu's speech.</p> - -<p>"Yes I do. I want to see the invisible picture. Then, we may learn of -this hiding place which contains the things, Lo-Keong's enemies wish -to secure. I expect it is some treasonous correspondence."</p> - -<p>"But, Rupert, the hiding-place will be in China. Lo-Keong would -not send papers of that kind to be concealed in England."</p> - -<p>"It would be the safest place," replied Rupert dryly, "however, -I intend to try the experiment of waving this fan in the smoke."</p> - -<p>"You don't know the kind of smoke?"</p> - -<p>"I can guess the kind. Olivia do you remember that joss stick -which Mrs. Petley found in the Abbey."</p> - -<p>"Yes--at the time she saw the ghost."</p> - -<p>"Precisely. The ghost left that joss-stick behind on the first -occasion, and the fan on the second. Now I shouldn't wonder if -the fan had got into the hands of Hwei, and that <i>he</i> was the -ghost."</p> - -<p>"What makes you think that?"</p> - -<p>"Well, Hwei confessed that he was lurking outside the Bristol -hotel to get a chance of killing Miss Wharf when she was lured -out by Tung-yu. That gentleman however played false. All the -same Hwei was here, and perhaps he came up to the Abbey--"</p> - -<p>"Why?" asked Olivia looking perplexed.</p> - -<p>"Ah, that I can't tell you. But I fancy the answer is to be -found in this fan, as soon as we see the picture."</p> - -<p>"But the smoke."</p> - -<p>"Must be made by that joss-stick. It smells like cinnamon, and -is apparently a manufactured article. Hwei brought it, so that -he could wave the fan in its smoke and then learn the secret. -But he dropped the joss-stick and--where is it Olivia."</p> - -<p>"I put it in a drawer over there, after you showed it to me."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Ainsleigh went to a rose-wood cabinet and opened a drawer. -She then returned with the Joss-stick in her hand, and gave it -to her husband, who was kneeling on the hearth-rug. "I hope it -won't explode, Rupert," said Olivia nervously.</p> - -<p>He stared. "Why should you think that?"</p> - -<p>"Well it might have been dropped on purpose, and looks like -a cracker with that red paper round it. Perhaps there's -dynamite--"</p> - -<p>"Nonsense," said Rupert taking out a match, "however, if you are -afraid, go into the next room."</p> - -<p>"No," said Olivia seating herself, "if you are to be blown to -bits, I'll be blown up with you."</p> - -<p>They both laughed at the idea, and then Rupert lighted the -match. It was distinctly nervous work however, and Olivia -started back, as her husband set the joss stick fizzling. She -was leaning forward in the chair with her dark head nearly -touching his fair hair. The joss stick smoked slowly and a queer -odour diffused itself though the room. Olivia sniffed. "Rupert," -she said positively, "it's the same scent as was on that letter -of Tung-yu's."</p> - -<p>"And of Lo-Keong also," said Rupert watching the thick bluish smoke, -which now began to curl up from the joss stick, "apparently the -Mandarin uses the perfume as a kind of clue, or perhaps it is a -special scent dedicated to this private god of his. I shall never -understand Chinamen and I'm very sure I don't want too. Olivia, hold -the stick while I wave the fan in the smoke."</p> - -<p>Being now assured that the smoke was proceeding from a harmless -article, Mrs. Ainsleigh took the stick and held it lightly, -while her husband gravely waved the out-spread fan in the thick -smoke. The joss stick fizzled and burned and gave out its queer -smell, which made both slightly dizzy. Every now and then, -Rupert looked at the enamelled side of the fan, where Tung-yu -said that a picture would appear. There certainly did seem -something scrawled on the smooth green sticks, and a blurred -outline revealed itself. For quite ten minutes Ainsleigh -continued waving, until the joss stick burnt down nearly to the -root. Then he looked again, Olivia placed the still fizzling -joss stick in the fender, and peered over his shoulder. She -uttered a cry when she saw the black outline of the picture, and -Rupert nearly echoed it. They were looking at a drawing of the -cloisters.</p> - -<p>Yes--there were the cloisters of Royabay Abbey taken, as by a -camera, from the archway. The architecture was clear enough, and -the trees also. But the picture was merely evanescent, for as -the fan grew cold again the outlines vanished. However, they -knew that the hiding place of the presumed papers, was within -the cloisters of Royabay--but in what spot. Rupert laid down the -fan and propounded the problem to his wife. "The indications -would be more exact."</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied Olivia thoughtfully, and picked up the fan, "I -suppose you are right, Rupert. It must have been Hwei who came -to the Abbey on the night my aunt was killed and dropped the -joss stick. Perhaps he came to see if he could find the hiding -place, without the aid of the fan."</p> - -<p>"No," said Rupert, "Hwei is the servant of Lo-Keong, and -probably knew of the hiding place; whereas Tung-yu, who served -Hop Sing wanted the fan to learn about it. I expect had Tung-yu -bought the fan, he would have come here and found the papers and -then have cleared out to China to place them in his master's -hands and ruin Lo-Keong."</p> - -<p>"Are you sure there are papers hidden?" said Olivia, fingering -the beads dangling from the thick yellow cord.</p> - -<p>"I think so. It can't be gold or silver or jewels. However, what -we have to do is to find what is hidden. Then when Lo-Keong -comes down we can make a bargain with him. If he hands over my -eight thousand, I'll give him whatever we find."</p> - -<p>"But how are we find the spot," said Mrs. Ainsleigh dreamily. -"Oh, Rupert," she added, "it's in one of the trees. Don't you -remember a tree was drawn at the side of the picture with a -white line down the trunk?"</p> - -<p>"No, I didn't see that. I saw the four trees and the stump drawn -in the picture."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Ainsleigh rattled the beads through her fingers. "Four -beads and half a bead," she exclaimed, "Rupert, those stand for -the four trees and for the stump."</p> - -<p>"What makes you think so?"</p> - -<p>"The half bead--that is the stump, and see, one of the beads is -of jasper, that might be the copper beech."</p> - -<p>"By jove," Rupert jumped up, "I believe you are right."</p> - -<p>"I am sure I am, and in the tree drawn at the side of the -picture which you did not observe, there was a white line down -the trunk."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Rupert pondering, "perhaps whatever is hidden is -tied to a string or a chain and is dropped down the trunk of one -of the four trees--or perhaps in the stump."</p> - -<p>"Not in the stump," said Olivia quickly, "for then the line -would be visible, while in the other trees it would be concealed -in the thick foliage. I fancy the line must be down the copper -beech trunk, as there is but one red bead."</p> - -<p>"There is but one tree though--one copper beech you know," said -her husband. "I am inclined to think that to make things safer, -the hiding place must be in one of the green trees signified by -the jade beads. The question is, which tree is it?"</p> - -<p>Olivia looked at the fan again, and as she did so started. -Rupert also raised his head. They heard the sound of wheels -scrunching the gravel outside, and wondered who was arriving so -late. The clock pointed to half-past ten. The servants had gone -to bed, so Rupert followed by his wife, who was rather nervous, -went to the door. When Rupert opened it he found himself facing -a tall handsome man in a fur cloak, and wearing a strange hat.</p> - -<p>"Good evening," said the stranger in the best of English, "I -speak to Mr. Ainsleigh I think, I am the Marquis Lo-Keong."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_20" href="#div1Ref_20">CHAPTER XX</a></h4> -<h5>The Mandarin Explains</h5> -<br> - -<p>"I must apologise for this very late visit," said Lo-Keong, when -he was conducted to the drawing-room by his surprised host, "but -I must explain--"</p> - -<p>"Not now. Marquis," replied Ainsleigh, giving his visitor the -rank which he claimed, "you must be weary and hungry."</p> - -<p>"No. I am perfectly well, and enjoyed a meal before I left -London. If you will give my servants orders to take up my -luggage, and will then hear what I have to say, you will do -everything I desire."</p> - -<p>Rupert went again to the hall to tell the two Chinese servants, -which Lo Keong had brought with him, to take the trunks up to -the bed-room which the Marquis would occupy. Then he went to the -back and made Mr. and Mrs. Petley rise. Both were disturbed when -they heard that a Chinese grandee was in the house. "I do hope -he won't bring trouble with him," said Mrs. Petley to her -husband. "I never could a-bear them things, since I saw that -creature who brought home the old master's baggage. And, Missus, -as is dead, couldn't bear him either."</p> - -<p>"He was a cock-eyed man," said old John reflectively.</p> - -<p>"Cock-eyed yourself," retorted the housekeeper who had a better -memory, "he was one-eyed, and a nice ugly thing he looked. Ah -well, as I always says, Abbot Raoul don't walk for nothing, and -this Chiner gentleman coming here, means trouble."</p> - -<p>Old John who was much the same way of thinking himself, grew -annoyed by his wife's pessimism and told her to hurry up and -come to the kitchen. Then he went to see after the bed-room -which his master had selected for the untoward guest. Mrs. -Petley came down to find her kitchen in the possession of two -grave silent Chinamen who had lighted the fire and were boiling -water for tea. "Well, I'm sure," said Mrs. Petley surveying both -with distaste, "the idear of these furreiners taking liberties," -and she sniffed at the Far East.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, Rupert returned to the drawing-room and found the -Marquis paying attentions to his wife. Lo-Keong was a tall, -fine-looking man, grave and extremely polite. He had admirable -manners, and his clothes were of the finest. Olivia in her rich -dinner dress, felt quite plainly dressed beside this gorgeous -gentleman, who wore a jacket of rose-pink, a coat of grass green -satin, pale blue silk trousers, and thick-soled white green -shoes. He also had a glossy pig-tail woven with silk, and -carried a small fan--at which Olivia shuddered. Seated in a deep -arm-chair, he looked a potentate, quite out of place in that -sober English drawing-room. The Marquis was very affable, and -deferential to Mrs. Ainsleigh, who quite overcame her dislike to -Celestials after a few moments converse with this splendid -specimen of the aristocracy of Cathay.</p> - -<p>"You are quite sure you won't have some refreshment?" she asked.</p> - -<p>Lo-Keong waved his slim hand graciously. "I thank you, no," said -he, "and if you will allow me to explain myself, you can then -retire. I am ashamed of having called at this hour. But," he -looked at Rupert first and at Olivia afterwards, "my excuse is a -good one. I have seen Hwei--whom you know."</p> - -<p>Ainsleigh shuddered. "Yes, and I don't retain any very pleasant -recollections of that gentleman," said he.</p> - -<p>Lo-Keong laughed quietly, "Hwei is a true devotée of the god -Kwang-ho."</p> - -<p>"I don't understand about that god," said Olivia.</p> - -<p>"I have come to explain," said the Chinaman, "it is a great pity -I did not come before. You would then have had no trouble about -this," and he took up the famous fan which Olivia had tossed on -the sofa.</p> - -<p>"Oh," the young couple looked at one another, and if they did -not say "oh," the expression of "oh"--an amazed "oh" was on -their faces.</p> - -<p>Lo-Keong seemed to have his eyes everywhere, and took up the fan -as if it was the most natural thing it should be lying there. -"You understand," he went on in his calm well-bred voice. "I -have seen Hwei and he told me everything."</p> - -<p>"About the murder?"</p> - -<p>"About the murder, Mrs. Ainsleigh, and about the hunt for the -assassin; also about your husband's visit to London, and full -details concerning the folly of Tung-yu--my enemy's servant, who -related how the picture on this," he laid a long yellow finger -on the fan, "could be brought to light," his eyes wandered to -the fragment of the joss stick within the fender. "I observe -that you have been clever enough to see the picture."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Rupert, quite amazed at this penetration, "but how -do you know that?"</p> - -<p>"Very easily. Hwei told me that he came to the cloisters one -night to see that all was well----"</p> - -<p>"He knew of the hiding place then?" asked Olivia, eagerly.</p> - -<p>"Certainly. I have always trusted Hwei, but Tung-yu did not -know, and hence his desire to procure the fan. Hwei was here on -the night poor Miss Wharf was killed, and dropped the joss -stick. You have been clever enough to make use of it. Well, now -you both know where the packet is?"</p> - -<p>"The packet?"</p> - -<p>"Of papers which mean my life--papers connected with the Boxers, -which the Mandarin Hop Sing would give much to possess."</p> - -<p>"We know that the packet is hidden in a tree," said Rupert, "but -which tree we cannot guess."</p> - -<p>"Ah," Lo-Keong slipped the beads through his fingers, "here is a -piece of jade with a gold band round it."</p> - -<p>"The third bead----"</p> - -<p>"Consequently the third tree. We will look for the packet, as -soon as I explain myself. The packet must be safe, as you have -the fan, and I know, Mr. Ainsleigh, you are my friend, as I was -the friend of your father before you."</p> - -<p>"What," Rupert threw back his head. "I understood from Dr. -Forge, that you were my enemy."</p> - -<p>Lo-Keong frowned. "Ah! he goes as far as that," said he, then -paused a moment. "I will explain."</p> - -<p>Olivia would have interrupted, but he threw out a long arm in an -imperious manner, and began his story without further preamble, -playing with the fan all the time.</p> - -<p>"My name," said the Marquis, "is Lo-Keong, and I am a native of -the province of Kan-Su----"</p> - -<p>"Where the mine is," murmured Rupert.</p> - -<p>"Exactly, Mr. Ainsleigh. My native town is on the Hwei River, -and not far from the mine your father bought----"</p> - -<p>"Along with Dr. Forge."</p> - -<p>"Pardon me, sir, but Dr. Forge did not buy it. He was merely a -servant of your father's. The mine was owned by your father -alone. I conducted the negotiations on behalf of the owner of -the land."</p> - -<p>"But Forge says----"</p> - -<p>"I can guess." Lo-Keong waved his hand coldly. "He blackens my -name to you, and lies about the mine. Always bad--always foul, -always a liar--that man must be killed. I have spared him too -long."</p> - -<p>Olivia shuddered. "No Marquis," said she, "I beg that there may -be no more murders."</p> - -<p>"Not in England, but when this Forge comes again to China," here -the Marquis smiled in a cruel way, but made no further remark. -The young people shuddered. He smiled benignly on them, and went -on with his story in a calm level voice.</p> - -<p>"My respected parent was a merchant," said he calmly, "and he -gave me a fine education, of which, as you know, we think -greatly in the Middle Kingdom. I secured the Hanlin degree, -which is very high, and so became greater than my friend Hop -Sing, who failed. That success made Hop Sing my enemy. I -returned home, and Hop Sing made trouble. It is not necessary to -explain how," added the Marquis with another wave of his hand. -"But the trouble resulted in my leaving my parental roof, and -becoming a soldier with the Boxers who then conspired against -the Empress Dowager. But before I left my native town, I acted -as the middle man between a respected resident and Mr. Markham -Ainsleigh who desired to lease a gold mine on the Hwei River. I -left him in full possession of the rights to work the mine, and -Dr. Forge assisted him."</p> - -<p>"Not as a partner?" asked Rupert breathlessly.</p> - -<p>"By no means, Mr. Ainsleigh. Forge was a good doctor, but he -knew nothing about mining. He doctored the Coolies, and attended -to minor matters. Your father looked after the mine personally. -I understand he learned how to do so in California."</p> - -<p>"Yes--He was there before I was born, but--"</p> - -<p>"Permit me to continue, Mr. Ainsleigh. Well then, I left your -father in possession of the mine, and joined the Boxers. I rose -to be a leader, and afterwards returned to see my parents. At -that time the rebellion--for that it was--proved unfortunate, so -it was necessary that I should conceal myself. I took service -with your father as a foreman of the mine, and I can safely -say," said Lo-Keong with a certain show of emotion, "that your -father saved my life. I consider myself indebted to him, and now -I am indebted to his son."</p> - -<p>"It is very good of you," said Rupert. "I need a friend."</p> - -<p>"You have one in me," said the Marquis courteously. "But to -proceed, as the night grows darker. I was your father's friend, -Hop Sing was his enemy, and Forge sided with Hop Sing."</p> - -<p>"But why did he do that?" asked Ainsleigh impetuously. "Forge -was at college with my father--they were great friends--"</p> - -<p>"So Mr. Markham Ainsleigh thought. But Dr. Forge was greedy and -wished to have the mine to himself. Hop Sing, who had some -influence at the Imperial Court, promised to help Dr. Forge to -get rid of your father and secure the mine provided I was -ruined."</p> - -<p>"And Forge acted this base part."</p> - -<p>"He did," said the Mandarin quietly. "I may tell you Mr. -Ainsleigh that I was completely in your father's confidence. He -made a great deal of money out of the mine, and I arranged for -it to be turned into safe investments through a third person -whose name need not be mentioned. A large sum was placed out at -interest and all these many years the interest has been -accumulating. You will receive a handsome sum I assure you, Mr. -Ainsleigh."</p> - -<p>"But," broke in Olivia perplexed. "Dr. Forge told my husband -that the whole amount was eighteen thousand, of which ten -thousand belonged to him and eight thousand to Rupert."</p> - -<p>"Dr. Forge places the money obtained from the mine at a low -figure," said the Chinaman smiling, "what the amount is, I shall -tell you later. Meanwhile I must explain the intrigue which led -to your father's murder----"</p> - -<p>"Ah," Rupert leaped to his feet, "then he <i>was</i> murdered."</p> - -<p>"He was--by the emissary of Hop Sing. Be calm, Mr. Ainsleigh, and be -seated. Your father died quietly enough by strangulation----"</p> - -<p>"What. Was he killed in the same way as Miss Wharf?"</p> - -<p>Lo-Keong bowed his stately head, "Yes, and by the same -person----"</p> - -<p>"Tung-yu," cried Olivia starting to her feet in her turn.</p> - -<p>"Exactly, Mrs. Ainsleigh. I know that Tung-yu strangled Mr. -Markham Ainsleigh, and I believe that he strangled your aunt."</p> - -<p>Rupert sat down on the sofa and drew his wife down beside him. -"But Tung-yu was the man who was to buy the fan----"</p> - -<p>"Quite so." Lo-Keong folded and unfolded the fan calmly. "You -know of the god Kwang-ho."</p> - -<p>"Yes--but I can't understand----"</p> - -<p>"Naturally," the Marquis laughed quietly, "that is a thing -beyond the comprehension of a Western barbarian--your pardon for -so calling you, Kwang-ho," went on the Mandarin, "is an ancestor -of mine who lived during the Ming dynasty. He was a sage, and -very famous, so I took him as my private god."</p> - -<p>Olivia looked amazed and a little shocked. "A private god. I -never knew that anyone could have a private god even in China," -she said.</p> - -<p>"If you have read Roman history, Mrs. Ainsleigh, you will -remember the Lares and Penates, which were something of the same -kind. I was very unfortunate with the public gods of my country, -so I chose Kwang-ho to be my genius--my destiny. I had an image -made and offered him incense. It was, in fact what you might call -ancestral worship; only I looked upon Kwang-ho as one who could -control my destiny. I was right," said Lo-Keong emphatically, "for, -from the moment I sacrificed to Kwang-ho, my fortunes changed."</p> - -<p>"In what way?" asked Rupert, wondering that a clever man like -this should talk so superstitiously.</p> - -<p>"In every way. The priest of my new god Kwang-ho consulted the -deity and ordered that I should leave the Boxers and attach -myself to the party of the Empress Dowager, who was to be all -powerful in the future. I think," added Lo-Keong smiling -blandly, "that Kwang-ho was right in that. Who is so powerful as -my august mistress."</p> - -<p>"True enough," admitted Ainsleigh impatiently, "but what has -this to do with the death of my father?"</p> - -<p>"Patience, Mr. Ainsleigh. I arranged to leave the Boxers. We -were fighting for the Emperor, who was then being crushed by the -Empress Dowager. I had many papers showing my devotion to the -Boxer cause and to His Imperial Majesty. These papers I intended -to destroy: but remembering that some day the Emperor might -overcome the Empress, I decided to keep the papers. They would -show that I had worked for the Emperor, and thus my fortunes -would be secure should His Imperial Majesty reign alone. As -yet," added Lo-Keong with a shrug, "he has not reigned alone and -my august mistress still rules the destinies of the middle -kingdom."</p> - -<p>"Ah. And if she got those papers?----"</p> - -<p>"She would cut off my head," replied Lo-Keong quietly, "so now -you see why I thought it best to conceal them. I wished to -preserve the papers so as to keep myself in favour with the -Emperor, when he became supreme, and I wished to conceal them -from the Empress Dowager and her spies, while she ruled China. -You understand?"</p> - -<p>"We do," said the young couple. "So you used the means of the -fan to tell where they were hidden?" asked Rupert.</p> - -<p>The Mandarin assented. "I did. I spoke to your father about this -plan of concealment. I knew the papers would not be safe in -China, as the emissaries of Hop Sing would find them, and I -should be ruined, so on the suggestion of your father, I decided -to hide them in England."</p> - -<p>"But why in the Abbey?"</p> - -<p>"Mr. Markham Ainsleigh's suggestion, sir. He said that this -place had been in the possession of his family for years and -would likely continue to remain under the Ainsleigh--"</p> - -<p>"Alas--alas," sighed Rupert.</p> - -<p>"Not at all, sir," was Lo-Keong's brisk reply, "you will -have enough money to keep this place I assure you. But to -continue--your father, whose health was very bad, arranged to -take his money back to this place, and to take also the papers I -wished to hide. We arranged that they should be concealed in the -third tree and then I hit upon the plan of an invisible picture -on the fan with the assistance of the beads to identify the -hiding-place."</p> - -<p>"But was that necessary when you knew the hiding-place?"</p> - -<p>"I wished my heirs to benefit by my services to the Emperor -during the Boxer rising; and they were not to know of the -existence of these papers till I died. So you will understand--"</p> - -<p>"Yes! It's very interesting, so please go on."</p> - -<p>"Well while we were arranging these things Forge went to Pekin, -and got a concession to work the mine from the Empress through -the influence of Hop Sing. Meanwhile, I arranged to enter the -service of my Imperial Mistress, and left your father ill of -dysentery."</p> - -<p>"Of which, according to Forge, he died."</p> - -<p>"No," said the Mandarin decisively, "he was recovering. He had -the packet and the fan which he was to take to this place. Hwei -was to go with him, and design the invisible picture and hide -the packet. I went to see about letting your father have the -money which I had invested for him. All was ready and he was -winding up his affairs. Then the emissary of Hop Sing strangled -your father--"</p> - -<p>"Tung-yu," said Rupert much agitated.</p> - -<p>"I have already said that," replied the Marquis rather tartly, -"your father died, and Forge obtained the mine. But he did not -hold it long. I represented that Forge had obtained the death of -Mr. Markham Ainsleigh through Hop Sing. The Empress took my -view. Hop Sing was disgraced and I was promoted. Forge had to -leave China for the time being, but he came back several times. -I sent Hwei to this place with your father's effects and with -the fan. He concealed the packet and drew the picture. Your -mother was alive then, Mr. Ainsleigh, and Hwei showed her the -fan, though he did not tell her the secret."</p> - -<p>"Ah," cried Rupert, "now I remember where I saw the fan."</p> - -<p>"Yes," Lo-Keong nodded, "as a boy of five you may remember it."</p> - -<p>"I certainly do. But Marquis, why did you not send my father's -money to my mother?"</p> - -<p>"Ah. She died, and although I knew you were the heir and in the -guardianship of Forge who was your enemy I could do nothing. Hop -Sing got the upper hand again and I was in my turn disgraced. -Then Hop Sing learned about the papers, and about the fan being -the means of finding the hiding-place. He ordered Tung-yu to -find the fan. Hwei was bringing the fan back from England to me. -He was assaulted when he landed in China, but he luckily had -given the fan to a brother of his, so Hop Sing could not find -it. Then the brother was killed and a coolie, who knew nothing -of the fan, took possession of it. Afterwards, I wanted the fan. -Hop Sing told me what he suspected, so I applied to the god -Kwang-ho. The god declared, through his priest, that Hop Sing -was to come with me to the shrine. He did so, and thus, bitter -enemies as we were, we came for a time to be in peace."</p> - -<p>"And then the arrangement was made?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. The god said that an equal chance must be given to good -and evil. Hwei was appointed to find the fan for me, and to give -death to the person who had it. Tung-yu acted for Hop Sing and -was to give a reward of not less than five thousand pounds so -that the person who held the fan should be rich for life. Each -was to hold sway for twenty-four hours. I caused this to be -published in the Chinese newspaper in Pekin. The coolie heard it -and being fearful lest he should be killed, he kept the fan for -years and said nothing. Then Major Tidman--"</p> - -<p>"Ah I know. He came to see how my father died."</p> - -<p>"Quite so, Mr. Ainsleigh, and the coolie, knowing the fan was -connected with the death--for he afterwards went to Kan-su mine -and asked questions--gave the fan to the Major to get rid of it, -and--"</p> - -<p>"And we know the rest," said Rupert rising. "Tidman gave it to -Dr. Forge, and he gave it to you--or rather you caused it to be -taken from him."</p> - -<p>"No," said the Mandarin, "that is not true. I never saw the fan -till now. All these years I have never set eyes on it."</p> - -<p>"But Dr. Forge said--"</p> - -<p>"Whatever he said he speaks falsely," said Lo-Keong, "but it is -growing late, Mr. Ainsleigh, and I see that your wife is weary. -Let us retire and I shall tell you the rest of the story -to-morrow. But before I go to rest," added the Mandarin -decidedly, "I must assure myself that the packet is still in the -trunk of the third tree."</p> - -<p>Rupert was quite ready and lighted the lantern. The two men went -to the Abbey into the pitchy darkness, and walked to the third -tree near the bare spot. Lo-Keong who seemed to be able to see -in the dark like a cat looked round, and laid his finger on a -huge oak. "This is the tree," said he confidently.</p> - -<p>"But I can't very well see," said Rupert, "from which side do -you count?"</p> - -<p>"From the left to right," explained the mandarin, "in these -robes, Mr. Ainsleigh, I cannot climb the tree, will you please -to do so. You will find the hollow trunk and the line. Pall it -up: the papers will be at the end. Bring them to me if you -please."</p> - -<p>So speaking Lo-Keong took the light and Rupert although in thin -evening dress began to climb the tree. Luckily it was not -difficult as the branches hung low, but it was disagreeable on -account of the dripping wet. Every movement shook down much -moisture. However, the active young man disappeared in the -foliage and then felt round. He could not see, and came down to -get the lantern, which the Chinaman passed to him. Then he found -that the trunk of the tree was broken off, amidst the thick -branches, and that the centre was hollow. He espied a rusty thin -chain, and pulled it up. At the end there was a small box, which -he brought down. With an exclamation of joy Lo-Keong took it. It -opened easily in his hand.</p> - -<p>"Gone," cried the Marquis in a voice of anguish.</p> - -<p>He spoke truly. The box was empty.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_21" href="#div1Ref_21">CHAPTER XXI</a></h4> -<h5>Who is Guilty?</h5> -<br> - -<p>Next morning at the early hour of nine o'clock Orlando Rodgers -drove up to Royabay filled with curiosity. He had received -Rupert's letter which summoned him to come down on matters -connected with the murder, and he was eager to learn details. -Rodgers himself, had been unlucky. He had traced The Stormy -Petrel to the Thames near Rotherhithe, and had learned from the -Captain that two Chinamen had hired the boat for a couple of -days. They went down to Marport and had gone ashore early in the -evening. They came on board again after midnight, and then had -requested to be put ashore at Rotherhithe. The Captain confessed -that he had been paid well for the job, and thought--with a -wink--that there was no chance of his knowing his employers -again.</p> - -<p>Rodgers of course recognised that Tung-yu and Hwei in their -queer partnership had hired the yacht--which it seems was a -public boat anyone could take for a period,--and he knew also -that the den, where Rupert and Clarence had met with their -adventures, was in Rotherhithe. He learned of this from no less -a person than Mr. Burgh himself, for the buccaneer called at the -police office in London to ask if the Chinamen had been caught. -Rodgers had extracted a full account of the adventures, and had -gone to the den only to find it empty, and the Chinamen -conspicuous by their absence. Burgh himself had not returned as -he promised, and the detective was annoyed at this, after he -heard Rupert's story. Had he known what this was, he certainly -would have arrested Burgh there and then, for participation in -the murder. But the astute Clarence in telling his Penter's -Alley adventure, had taken care not to incriminate himself.</p> - -<p>On arrival the detective was shown into the drawing-room where -Rupert was sitting with the stately Mandarin. Olivia was not -present as she had heard quite enough about the fan, and wished -to hear no more, not even the end of Lo-Keong's very interesting -story. Rodgers recognised that Lo-Keong was of a different type -of Celestial to Tung-yu and Hwei, and paid him great deference. -He explained to Rupert his ill-success with the yacht Stormy -Petrel, and detailed the interview with Clarence.</p> - -<p>"I wish I had told you about him in my letter," said Rupert -jumping up, much annoyed with himself, "you could have arrested -him."</p> - -<p>And when Rodgers heard the story, he blamed Ainsleigh, as much -as he blamed himself for not having risked an arrest on -suspicion.</p> - -<p>"But you know, sir," said he, huffily, "Burgh really didn't give -himself away. I could do nothing to him--or to the Captain of -the Stormy Petrel either on what evidence I hear. As to those -Chinamen--"</p> - -<p>"Ah," said Lo-Keong, "you must let me deal with them Mr. -Rodgers."</p> - -<p>"Can you deal with Tung-yu."</p> - -<p>The Mandarin drew down the corners of his mouth. "I think so," -said he, "it is my belief that he has the papers."</p> - -<p>"What papers, sir?"</p> - -<p>Lo-Keong, seeing it was absolutely necessary to make things -plain, if he wanted to secure his precious packet, related -almost word for word the story he had told on the previous -night. "So you see," he observed, "Tung-yu probably strangled -Miss Wharf as formerly he strangled Mr. Markham Ainsleigh. I -discussed this with Hwei, and he, knowing that Tung-yu had -betrayed him once, was much of the same opinion."</p> - -<p>"But if Tung-yu has the papers, why did he write to Tidman?" -argued Rupert, not inclined to take, this view.</p> - -<p>"Probably to throw Hwei off the scent. Tung-yu knows well enough -that if he started for China, Hwei would suspect he had the -papers, and would follow him to get them."</p> - -<p>"By murder?"</p> - -<p>"Probably," said the Mandarin indifferently, "and after all sir, -why not? Tung-yu killed your father and Miss Wharf. Hwei is -watching him, and if he can make sure that Tung-yu has my -parcel, he will kill him--with my approval," ended Lo-Keong -calmly.</p> - -<p>"Wait a bit," said Rodgers also coolly, though the speech -astonished him not a little, "when you talked to Hwei, you did -not know that the papers had been stolen."</p> - -<p>"No. But he who has the fan has the papers. Hwei and I both -thought that Tung-yu had the fan, and therefore Hwei watches -him. I came down unexpectedly last night instead of waiting, so -that I might assure myself that the packet was safe. But only a -short time before, Mr. Ainsleigh found the fan. Tung-yu must -have come down and taken the papers."</p> - -<p>Rupert nodded. "Certainly. Without doubt he was the ghost Mrs. -Petley saw, and when she came on him suddenly, he dropped the -fan and fled. He must have climbed the wall of the park in spite -of the spikes."</p> - -<p>Lo-Keong smiled sourly, "I do not think anything--spikes or -otherwise would have kept Tung-yu from gaining possession of -those papers. And of course he knew the way to make the picture -visible."</p> - -<p>"How was that. I thought only you and my father and Hwei--"</p> - -<p>"Ah," said the Mandarin calmly, "it seems that Tung-yu overheard -the discussion between myself and your father as to the hiding -of the papers and the plan of the fan. When he strangled Markham -Ainsleigh, he hoped to find the packet at once. But Hwei secured -both the fan and the packet. I have told you how they came to -England, and how Hwei gave the fan to his brother. The brother -was killed by accident and the coolie I spoke of, found the fan -in his clothing, knowing nothing of it's significance. Then he -learned the truth from the notice I put in the Pekin paper, and -was afraid lest he should offend the god Kwang-ho. No he was not -afraid of death--few of us are in China. But the anger of a god -is different: it means ages of torment and the chance of being -born again in the belly of some creeping animal. So the coolie -kept the fan, till he found an opportunity of giving it to a -foreign devil, in the person of Major Tidman. I can't understand -how he knew the Major wanted the fan, save that he must have -heard that Tidman was searching for news as to the death of -Markham Ainsleigh. The coolie then knew, from enquiries at the -mine, that the fan was connected with the death, and thus that -the god Kwang-ho might have appointed the death of Markham. -Yes," said the Mandarin complacently, "the coolie was afraid of -the god, and no doubt was glad when Major Tidman took the fan."</p> - -<p>Rodgers stared as Lo-Keong spoke. "It's rum to hear a gentleman -like yourself talk this way, sir," he said.</p> - -<p>"Ah," smiled the Mandarin, "our Eastern ways are different to -yours."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said the detective, "but you are so clever, that I don't -see how you can believe in all this stuff about the private -god."</p> - -<p>Lo-Keong waved his hand imperatively. "Let us not speak of that, -or we anger Kwang-ho. He is the controller of my destiny. Rather -let us see how we can recover my papers from Tung-yu."</p> - -<p>"If he has them," put in Rupert perplexedly. "And if so, Hwei -will get them back."</p> - -<p>"Assuredly," replied the Mandarin, "the first attempt that -Tung-yu makes to leave England for our own land, Hwei will guess -the truth, and will kill him to get the fan or the papers."</p> - -<p>"But the fan is here."</p> - -<p>"Yes. Hwei however thinks Tung-yu has it. I shall tell him that -Tung-yu has taken the papers.</p> - -<p>"But by breaking the agreement come to before the god, won't -Kwang-ho be angry, Marquis."</p> - -<p>"Hwei does not mind, he is my slave and will do anything for me. -No--No," added the Marquis calmly, "as Tung-yu first disobeyed -the god, in not bringing Miss Wharf to meet with her doom at the -hands of Hwei, Kwang-ho will give him up to my vengeance."</p> - -<p>Neither of the Europeans could make anything of this. "What we -want to know," said Ainsleigh, speaking for himself and Rogers, -"is, how did the fan get back to you?"</p> - -<p>"I told you last night it did not get back," replied Lo-Keong. -"I heard from Hwei that the fan was given to Miss Wharf by -Burgh--but how he got it--" Lo-Keong shook his head.</p> - -<p>"From a pirate in Chinese waters."</p> - -<p>"No. The fan never came back to China." Lo-Keong took a paper -out of his pocket, "I should have given that to you last night. -It will show you why Hwei and Tung-yu came to look for the fan -in England," and he gave the paper to Rupert.</p> - -<p>The young man read it. It was in scratchy female handwriting, -and was to the effect that the fan of the Marquis was in the -possession of a certain person in England. No name was signed to -this paper, and after Rodgers had read it, Lo-Keong took it -again and laid it on the table. "So you see," he remarked, "when -I got that letter, I knew the fan was in England. I sent Hwei to -search for it, and of course Tung-yu on behalf of Hop Sing came -also. They could not find who had written the letter, and -advertised the fan as you know."</p> - -<p>"Then Burgh told a lie," said Rupert.</p> - -<p>Lo-Keong opened his mouth to speak, but before he could do so, -Mrs. Ainsleigh entered with a sheet of foolscap in her hand. "I -beg your pardon for interrupting you gentlemen," she said -excitedly, "but here is something you should know. Rupert," she -turned to her husband and thrust the paper into his hand. "It's -from Dr. Forge."</p> - -<p>"What?" cried Ainsleigh astonished. "Has he dared to write?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and he writes to some purpose. Read it out Rupert. I am -sure the Marquis and Mr. Rodgers will be glad to hear."</p> - -<p>"If it bears on the case," hesitated the detective.</p> - -<p>"It does," answered Olivia seating herself, "listen."</p> - -<p>Rupert glanced at the heading of the letter. "He gives London as -his address," he said, "so he apparently is afraid of being -caught."</p> - -<p>"Read, dear," said Mrs. Ainsleigh impatiently.</p> - -<p>Thus adjured Rupert began. "My dear Mrs. Ainsleigh," said Forge -in his communication, "I write to you rather than your husband, -as I think you will judge me fairer than he will."</p> - -<p>"As if I could," put in Mrs. Ainsleigh impatiently.</p> - -<p>"I am not a good man, and I never pretended to be. But I have -been poor all my life, and the lack of money is the cause of my -having acted in a way which, otherwise I should not have done. -There is much truth in Becky Sharp's remark that anyone can be -good on five thousand a year. Had I possessed that amount this -letter would never have been written. As it is, I write, because -I hear that the Marquis Lo-Keong is in England, and he will no -doubt, tell your husband his own story."</p> - -<p>"Which is not creditable to Forge," said the Marquis, suavely.</p> - -<p>Rupert nodded and proceeded . . . . "I was at college with -Markham Ainsleigh, your husband's father, and he believed in me. -But I was always jealous of him, as he was handsomer than I was; -he possessed an ancient and honoured name, and was fairly well -off. I was born of poor parents and was of humble origin. -Markham certainly helped me with money and with influence, so -that I obtained my degree."</p> - -<p>"And a nice way he repaid his obligations," said Olivia, -sharply.</p> - -<p>"He's frank enough about his baseness at all events," said -Rupert, and then continued the letter. "Markham wanted money, -and as the doctor of a liner to Hong-Kong, I had heard of a -little-worked gold mine on the Hwei River. I told Markham about -it, and proposed that he should go to China to work the mine. He -agreed, and took me with him, as he thought that my medical -knowledge would benefit him."</p> - -<p>"Does Forge say he owned part of the mine?" asked Lo-Keong.</p> - -<p>"No. Listen," said Rupert, reading slowly. "I was merely the -doctor, as Markham bought the rights to work the mine with his -own money. But he promised me a share, and my share now amounts -to ten thousand pounds."</p> - -<p>"That is true in a way," said Lo-Keong, "out of the money I pay -you, Mr. Ainsleigh, this man can certainly claim that amount."</p> - -<p>"Then what I receive must be a large sum," said Rupert.</p> - -<p>The Chinaman smiled faintly. "Much larger than you think," said -Lo-Keong, "pardon my interruption and proceed."</p> - -<p>Rupert continued. "But I was not satisfied with my share, and -wanted all the money. Lo-Keong had an enemy called Hop Sing, and -he promised if I could ruin Lo-Keong that he would put Markham -out of the way, and give me the money which had been obtained by -working the mine. I knew that Markham had never sent any money -home, as he wanted to wait until he could become a millionaire, -and then return to astonish his wife, and restore the splendours -of Royabay. I therefore saw Hop Sing----"</p> - -<p>"I think you can leave all that out, Mr. Ainsleigh," said -Lo-Keong, "it is the story I told you."</p> - -<p>"So it is," said Rupert, running his eyes down the closely -written page. "Well--hum--hum," he picked up the thread of the -tale lower down. "It seems," he said, speaking for himself, -"that Hop Sing fell into disgrace, and Forge could not get the -money. He went to China several times, as Hop Sing recovered his -position----"</p> - -<p>"And I fell into disgrace," said the Marquis, "the Empress is a -woman you know--pardon me, Mrs. Ainsleigh--and whimsical."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Rupert, smiling, "you seem to have been up and down -several times. When Hop Sing was in favour. Forge went to China, -but the Mandarin refused to help him to get the money which was -under the control of Lo-Keong, unless the fan was obtained. -Forge learned the conditions of the fan, and finally got it from -the Major. He took it to England and locked it up in a cabinet. -But he was afraid to take it to China or use it in case Hwei -should kill him."</p> - -<p>"And Hwei would have killed him," said the Marquis, "it was as -well that Forge was so careful. But how did he lose the fan?"</p> - -<p>"Miss Pewsey took it," said Rupert glancing at the letter.</p> - -<p>"A woman," the Marquis took the note from the table, and passed -it to Mrs. Ainsleigh. "Tell me, madam, is that a woman's -handwriting."</p> - -<p>Olivia looked surprised. "It is Miss Pewsey's handwriting."</p> - -<p>"Ah," said Rupert, "so she wrote to Lo-Keong telling him the fan -was in England. Listen to what the doctor says," and he began to -read again. "Miss Pewsey came to my house and was very friendly. -She wanted me to marry her, saying she was trying to get Miss -Wharf to leave her the money, that should have been left to you -Mrs. Ainsleigh."</p> - -<p>"Ah," said Olivia significantly, "so she did work for that. Go -on."</p> - -<p>The letter went on as follows:--"I didn't like Miss Pewsey who -was old and ugly and evil--much worse than I ever was, in my -worst days. But she haunted my house and I got used to her. I -used to smoke opium, and grew very ill. In fact on more than one -occasion I became delirious. Miss Pewsey came and nursed me. -She took advantage of my delirium to learn the whole story of -the fan, and learned also--don't be startled at this Mrs. -Ainsleigh--that through me Markham had lost his life."</p> - -<p>"We know that from the Marquis," said Rodgers, "but I suspect -Mr. Forge wouldn't have spoken out had he not guessed the -Marquis would tell the whole yarn. Go on Mr. Ainsleigh."</p> - -<p>"Miss Pewsey," went on the letter, "insisted that I should -marry her, or else she threatened to reveal the story to Rupert. -I was unwilling that this should be, as I thought--and very -rightly--that I should get into trouble."</p> - -<p>"And he would have," Rupert, broke off grimly to explain, "I -should have shaken the life out of him. However, to continue," -and he again began to read this highly interesting letter. "I -therefore agreed to marry her, but always sought an opportunity -of escape. During one of my insensible fits after a bout of -opium smoking. Miss Pewsey took the key from my watch chain and -opening the cabinet gained possession of the fan. I denied this -to Major Tidman at Miss Pewsey's behest, or else Miss Pewsey -would have denounced me."</p> - -<p>"Not she," said Rodgers, chuckling, "she would have lost her -husband had she done so."</p> - -<p>"She has lost him in any case," said Olivia, "but I can tell you -what is in the rest of the letter, as I see Rupert is tired of -reading. Miss Pewsey gave the fan to Clarence to give to me----"</p> - -<p>"To win your favour," said Rupert.</p> - -<p>"No. To bring about my death. Miss Pewsey thought if I was out -of the way, she would get Aunt Sophia to leave her the money."</p> - -<p>"What a wicked woman," said Lo-Keong, "we have none such in -China."</p> - -<p>"Well," went on Olivia rapidly, "Miss Pewsey wrote to the -Marquis saying the fan was in England--"</p> - -<p>"Here is the letter," said Rodgers nodding towards the epistle.</p> - -<p>"Yes. How strange I should see it almost immediately after Dr. -Forge wrote," said Mrs. Ainsleigh innocently.</p> - -<p>"Miss Pewsey laid her plans well," said Rupert, looking again at -the letter, "she intended to tell Hwei that Olivia had the fan -so that she should be killed. But Olivia refused the fan, and -Miss Pewsey made Clarence give it to Miss Wharf, so that the -poor lady might be killed. But Miss Pewsey delayed the death at -the hands of Hwei by holding her tongue, till a will was made in -her favour. Chance favoured her, for she got the will altered."</p> - -<p>"By learning of our marriage when she played the spy," said -Olivia.</p> - -<p>"Quite so," said Ainsleigh, "she then read the advertisement and -knew that the two men, Hwei and Tung-yu, were in England. She -wrote and told them that Miss Wharf had the fan. The letter was -sent shortly before the ball, and after the new will was made. -Tung-yu, therefore, came down to the ball to get the fan. This -was not what Miss Pewsey wanted, as she desired Hwei to kill the -woman."</p> - -<p>"She knew about the god Kwang-ho, then?" asked Lo-Keong.</p> - -<p>"I think so, but Forge isn't clear on that point. However, he -declared that he does not know who killed Miss Wharf, nor who -has the fan. He was told by Clarence, how he,--Burgh, had -accused him to the Chinamen, and then grew fearful. Also, he -heard that the Marquis was in England, and so he knew the whole -story would come out. As he dreaded arrest, he fled."</p> - -<p>"But he could have prevented Burgh from speaking," said Olivia, -"you know, Rupert, how Mr. Burgh told you that Forge knew things -about him."</p> - -<p>"I daresay if the Marquis had not come to England, Forge would -have silenced Clarence and fought the matter out. But he knew -that the truth about my father's death would be told by the -Marquis, and also dreaded, lest he should be accused of Miss -Wharf's murder. He says that Clarence never gave him the tie as -he says he did, and declares that he was in the card-room all -the evening."</p> - -<p>"How does he end the letter?" asked Rodgers.</p> - -<p>Rupert read the last words. "So I write you this, Mrs. Ainsleigh, to -show you that I am innocent of the death of your aunt. I see that -the game is up and that I'll never get the ten thousand from Lo-Keong. -Also, if I remain, I shall have to marry Miss Pewsey and cannot bear -the idea. When you get this I'll be far away on the sea on a voyage -to a land I need not particularise."</p> - -<p>"Not China, I hope," said the Marquis, "if he comes there again, -I shall have to kill him. He deserves to be punished for having -brought about the death of my friend Markham Ainsleigh. What is -to be done now, gentlemen? We are no further on than before."</p> - -<p>"We certainly don't know who had the fan," said Rodgers.</p> - -<p>"Or who has the packet," put in Olivia.</p> - -<p>"Tung-yu has it I am sure," said Lo-Keong.</p> - -<p>"I don't agree with you, Marquis," said the detective. "Tung-yu -and Hwei certainly cleared back to Rotherhithe by that yacht, -but if the fan had been on board Hwei would have spotted it."</p> - -<p>"Tung-yu is very cunning," said the Marquis doubtfully.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Rupert, folding Forge's letter up, "I suggest that -the Marquis should offer a large reward for the fan with his own -name appended. Then whosoever has the packet will bring it. For -of course," added Rupert shrewdly, "those who had the fan--if -more than one--will have the packet."</p> - -<p>"Tung-yu--Tung-yu," said the Marquis shaking his head, "however, -I will try the advertisement, and appoint a place. I am willing -to give a large sum for the packet."</p> - -<p>"And I am prepared to arrest the person who brings the packet as -the murderer of Miss Wharf," said Rodgers, "you leave the thing -to me Marquis."</p> - -<p>"Come with me to London my friend," said Lo-Keong, "and we will -write the advertisement. I shall reward you largely, if you get -this packet back again."</p> - -<p>"And what will you do, Rupert?" asked Olivia eagerly.</p> - -<p>Her husband looked up. "I shall hunt for the packet on my own -account."</p> - -<p>"Good," said Lo-Keong in his stately manner, "we will see who is -fortunate enough to bring me the packet and earn," he looked at -Rupert impressively, "one hundred thousand pounds."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_22" href="#div1Ref_22">CHAPTER XXII</a></h4> -<h5>After-Events</h5> -<br> - -<p>Rodgers went to London with the Marquis Lo-Keong that very day, -and Rupert wanted to go also. But Olivia objected to this, she -feared lest her husband should be wounded again. "I don't wish -to lose you darling," said Mrs. Ainsleigh coaxingly.</p> - -<p>"But the money," said Rupert dubiously.</p> - -<p>"You mean the hundred thousand pounds," said Olivia "That will -be paid to you by the Marquis. It is rightfully your own."</p> - -<p>"Humph! It seemed to me that Lo-Keong hinted he would pay the -money to whomsoever brought him the packet. In that case -Rodgers----"</p> - -<p>"Nonsense," said Olivia quickly, "I am quite sure that the -Marquis means well to both of us. No doubt he will reward -Rodgers largely, should he get the packet: but he will give you -your father's money."</p> - -<p>"All the same I should like to hunt for the packet on my own -account, Olivia," said Rupert obstinately.</p> - -<p>"Let those hunt, to whom the packet is of value."</p> - -<p>"But I don't believe that this advertisement will bring forth -anything," argued Ainsleigh frowning "if Tung-yu has the packet, -he certainly won't pass it along to Lo-Keong. If Burgh stole it, -he will be afraid lest Hwei, who is in Lo-Keong's pay, should -kill him. As to Tidman--"</p> - -<p>"You thought he was guilty," said Olivia smiling.</p> - -<p>"And I still have my doubts," rejoined her husband, "so I'll -call at the Bristol and have a talk."</p> - -<p>This conversation took place the day after the Mandarin had -departed and Rupert was worrying about the exciting chase for -the packet, which he foresaw would take place. However, as -Olivia insisted, he should not risk his life again with -Asiatics, he interested himself still in the case by talking it -over with Major Tidman. On arriving at the Bristol, he was shown -up at once to Tidman's room, and found the Major spick and span -as usual, but greatly excited.</p> - -<p>"I was just coming up to see you," said the Major, "look here?" and he -handed Rupert the morning's copy of the <i>Daily Telegraph</i>.</p> - -<p>Ainsleigh looked at the place indicated by the Major, and saw -the advertisement asking for the return of the fan, on delivery -of which the sum of five thousand would be paid. "I see that the -Marquis has lost no time," said Rupert throwing down the paper, -"he and Rodgers must have inserted the advertisement at once."</p> - -<p>"Oh," said the Major staring, "so you know."</p> - -<p>"Yes. Lo-Keong and Rogers were with me yesterday."</p> - -<p>"Lo-Keong. Why that is the man who owns the fan?"</p> - -<p>"Exactly. He is a Marquis, and high in the service of the -Empress Dowager of China. As to the fan--" Rupert rapidly -detailed how it had been found in the cloisters and related also -the subsequent discovery, that the box attached to the chain in -the tree trunk, was empty. "And the man who took the fan from -Miss Wharf's dead body stole the packet," said Rupert, "so it is -not likely he will risk arrest by coming forward to give the -papers to Lo-Keong."</p> - -<p>Tidman sat down astounded at these revelations. "I wish I had -been present," said he, "I was always curious about the fan's -secret. A very ingenious device, Ainsleigh."</p> - -<p>"Very," assented Rupert dryly: then he cast a side-long look on -the Major, and spoke to the point. "You had nothing to do with -the stealing of the fan I hope, Major."</p> - -<p>"I," cried Tidman bouncing from his seat like an india rubber -ball.</p> - -<p>"Well you see," went on Rupert, "we met on the beach after -eleven, but it is just possible in spite of Forge's evidence, -that Miss Wharf may have been killed before then."</p> - -<p>"And you believe that I killed her. Thank you Ainsleigh."</p> - -<p>"My good friend," rejoined the young man calmly, "Lo-Keong -believes that Tung-yu broke his oath before the god, and -strangled Miss Wharf. But I disagree with him, as Tung-yu could -have procured the fan by milder means, the next day. Hwei could -not have strangled the woman, as he was haunting the Abbey -grounds to see if the packet was still safe. Forge, in a letter -to my wife, insists that he never got the tie, and certainly did -not kill Miss Wharf, so--"</p> - -<p>"So you have narrowed it down to me," cried Tidman in a burst of -indignation, "it's too bad of you, Ainsleigh. I am not a thin -skinned man by any means: but I do feel this very deeply. I -swear," the Major flung up his hand dramatically, "I swear that -I never possessed the tie, and I never killed Miss Wharf and I -never took the fan and--"</p> - -<p>"That's all right," interrupted Rupert, "if you did not take the -tie, you certainly could not have strangled the woman. After -all, perhaps I have been too hard on you. Major."</p> - -<p>"Ah," said Tidman angrily, "you are prepared to take my word for -it now, unsupported by other evidence. Your accusation can't be -made seriously, Ainsleigh."</p> - -<p>"Well upon my soul," said Rupert passing his hand through his -hair, "I really don't know what to think or say. This case seems -to grow more mystical at every step. I admit that, as you -deceived me at the time, we discussed the advertisement--"</p> - -<p>"You think I deceived you again. Well I did not. That was my one -and only deception. I wanted the fan in order to procure money I -admit: but the danger of being killed by Hwei instead of being -rewarded by Tung-yu was too great. I dropped the matter."</p> - -<p>"Then who do you think is guilty?"</p> - -<p>"Clarence Burgh. Oh I am sure of it. He admits that Miss Pewsey -told him the tie was in the overcoat pocket. No doubt he took -it out and used it to incriminate you. Then again, Burgh learned -from Tung-yu how the picture could be rendered visible--"</p> - -<p>"True enough," mused Rupert, "well he, might be guilty. And he -certainly was in the cloisters one day--"</p> - -<p>"So as to examine the place," said the Major. "And afterwards, -he came at night in the monk's disguise, knowing about the ghost -and the legend. He was startled when he secured the packet and -left the fan by accident on the black square."</p> - -<p>"Or by design," said Ainsleigh, "remembering the prophecy which -says that 'gold will come from the holy ashes.' If I get this -one hundred thousand pounds the prophecy will certainly be -fulfilled, in a sort of way. It was indirectly owing to the fan -that Lo-Keong told me of the money my father made in China, and -through the fan, when the packet is restored, he intends to give -the money to me."</p> - -<p>"Oh humbug," said the Major contemptuously. "I don't believe in -that foolish rhyme a bit. But are you of my opinion that Burgh -is guilty?"</p> - -<p>"Yes--in the way you put it, it seems probable."</p> - -<p>"Well then," said Tidman angrily and striking the table with his -fist. "I have had enough of being suspected, so I'll help you to -hunt down the assassin. I <i>must</i> know who killed Miss Wharf, or -else you will be accusing me again. See here," and he threw a -paper on the table.</p> - -<p>It was a square of yellow paper, strongly perfumed, which asked -the Major to bring the fan to the den in Penter's Alley. "You -showed me this before," said Rupert. "I went up on your behalf."</p> - -<p>"Look at the date," said Tidman pointing, "it's a new -invitation. I think Tung-yu--who writes the letter--believes I -killed the woman and have the fan after all. Well, last time, -you went on my behalf, this time, danger or no danger I'll go -myself. You can come if you like."</p> - -<p>"I shall certainly come," said Rupert jumping up, "Olivia does -not want me to proceed further in this matter, but, now that you -are going, I'll go too. Tung-yu can't know that the fan is in my -hands, or that the packet is missing."</p> - -<p>"He's not so clever as I thought he was," said Tidman coolly, -"or he wouldn't have bungled this affair as he has done. I am -not afraid of him, now. But you see that the appointment is for -to-morrow night at nine o'clock."</p> - -<p>"At Penter's Alley under the lantern. Exactly--the same place. -But as Rodgers knows of my adventure, I wonder Tung-yu risks -another meeting. Besides, Rodgers told me he had been to the den -and found both Chinamen gone."</p> - -<p>"Oh, thunderbolts never strike in the same spot twice," said -Tidman, "it is the safest place. Rodgers, having gone once, will -not go again. Well, will you come."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Rupert, firmly and went back to the Abbey, to -persuade his wife to let him make one more attempt to solve the -mystery.</p> - -<p>Olivia was obdurate at first, but after a time, she yielded, -though she assured Rupert she should be miserable all the time -he was away. "And <i>do</i> take care of yourself," she said.</p> - -<p>"Of course I'll take every care," replied her husband; and so it -was arranged that Rupert should go up to town with Major Tidman -by the six o'clock train the next evening, and proceed to -Penter's Alley, to see Tung-yu, and learn--if possible, the -truth.</p> - -<p>Olivia's attention was somewhat taken off the projected -expedition to the wilds of Rotherhithe, by a visit from Lady -Jabe. That eccentric female, looking more like a judge than -ever, and dressed in a most manly fashion appeared, with a -shining face, to announce that Chris was engaged to marry Lotty -Dean.</p> - -<p>"It's most delightful," said Lady Jabe, "her father is merely a -retired grocer, but I have consented to over-look that, if he -settles some money on the young couple."</p> - -<p>"And has he consented?" asked Olivia languidly. She did not take -much interest in the affairs of Mr. Walker.</p> - -<p>"Yes. Mr. Dean has allowed his daughter a thousand a year, paid -quarterly," said Lady Jabe amiably, "and that, with what Chris -earns at the office, will keep us nicely."</p> - -<p>"Us?" echoed Mrs. Ainsleigh smiling.</p> - -<p>"Certainly," was Lady Jabe's calm reply, "I have been a mother -to Chris, and I intend to be a mother to Lotty. I shall look -after the house, and control the purse, otherwise, the young -pair may get into the bankruptcy court."</p> - -<p>Olivia privately thought that under Lady Jabe's care the young -couple, would have a bad time, even though they might be free -from bankruptcy. "What does Mr. Walker say?"</p> - -<p>"Oh Chris is delighted. He had better be. I'd like to see him -cross me, dear Olivia. I've broken his spirit thoroughly. Lotty -certainly is a trifle difficult, but I'll break her also by -degrees."</p> - -<p>"I think you should leave Mr. and Mrs. Walker to manage their -own affairs," said Olivia indignantly.</p> - -<p>"Oh dear me no," replied Lady Jabe calmly, "that would never do. -A couple of babies, my dear Olivia, who need a firm hand. I'll -look after them and receive a small sum for doing so. My late -husband did not leave me well off," she went on confidentially, -"so it is necessary that I should do the best for myself. But -now, that's all settled and I'm glad you are pleased."</p> - -<p>"Not with your proposed arrangement, Lady Jabe."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes you are, dear Olivia. Nothing could be better, whatever -you may say. And now to talk of other and less pleasing matters. -Miss Pewsey who robbed you of your inheritance, is about to -leave Marport. Yes--you may look surprised: but she is selling -Ivy Lodge and intends to go to America."</p> - -<p>"In search of the doctor?" asked Mrs. Ainsleigh doubtfully.</p> - -<p>"Quite so, I understand that Dr. Forge has gone there. But just -think what a brazen women Miss Pewsey must be, to follow a man -who left her--as you might say at the altar. Miss Pewsey is in -London now making arrangements to sail for New York--so she told -me yesterday. I wish her all joy," added Lady Jabe shaking her -head, "but I fear the man will spend her money and leave her."</p> - -<p>When Lady Jabe went, Olivia thought over the projected departure -of Miss Pewsey on the trail of Dr. Forge, She was glad at heart, -that her enemy was leaving Marport, but could not help thinking -that the bitter little woman, was going out of her way to make -trouble, for herself. And as Forge was wanted, for participation -in Markham Ainsleigh's murder, Olivia though, she would inform -her husband of his whereabouts, so that he might be brought back -if necessary. But Rupert listened thoughtfully, and then replied -after consideration.</p> - -<p>"I won't move in the matter," he said calmly, "Forge behaved -like a scoundrel, but as he has gone, I leave him in God's -hands. He will get his deserts yet, Olivia."</p> - -<p>"Will you send him the ten thousand pounds, Rupert?"</p> - -<p>"No," said the young man decisively. "I shall certainly not do -that. Forge deserves some punishment and shall have it, by being -deprived of the money he sinned to obtain. He did not kill my poor -father, but he certainly brought about his death indirectly. Leave -him to God, Olivia. As for ourselves, we will get our own money from -Lo-Keong, and restore the Abbey."</p> - -<p>"And Miss Pewsey's mortgage?"</p> - -<p>"It is due shortly before Christmas, and I shall be able to pay -it off before then. Miss Pewsey has done her worst, Olivia. -Henceforth she will be harmless."</p> - -<p>"And what about her punishment, Rupert?"</p> - -<p>"I should think the loss of Forge has punished her. And, if she -really intends to follow him, she will be more disappointed. The -man will not marry her. No, Olivia, Miss Pewsey also sinned to -get money, but she will be punished, you may be certain."</p> - -<p>The next evening Rupert again assumed his old suit and heavy -cloak and went away. Olivia clung to him as he left the door. -"Oh my darling be careful," she said, "if you are killed--"</p> - -<p>"I won't be," Rupert assured her. "I have taken the precaution -to write telling Rodgers of this meeting. He will bring, by my -advice, a couple of plain-cloth policemen to Penter's Alley, and -if there is trouble, both the Major and I will be able to get -away."</p> - -<p>Comforted thus, Olivia kissed her husband, and saw him drive -down the avenue. Then she returned to her room to count the -moments, until he returned. All their troubles had brought -Olivia and Rupert closer together, and in their implicit trust -in one another, lay the elements of future happiness.</p> - -<p>Ainsleigh found the Major also plainly dressed, waiting at the -station, and the two were speedily on their way to town. Owing -to an accident to the train, they were late in arriving at -Liverpool Street station and the Major fumed. "We won't be in -time," he said when they went to the underground railway.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I think so," said Rupert calmly, "it's just as well, we -should not be too early. I want Rodgers and his men to be on the -spot."</p> - -<p>"But what do you think will come of all this?" asked Tidman, -nervously.</p> - -<p>"I think we will find the papers."</p> - -<p>"But if Tung-yu had them, he would not have written to me."</p> - -<p>"He is playing some sort of game. I can't understand, and I have -given up theorizing. Let us wait."</p> - -<p>The Major grumbled a little, but finally agreed that Ainsleigh -was right. They soon arrived at Rotherhithe, and stepped out -into the main street. The night was fine, and there was a bright -moon. "I like this better than when I was here last," said -Rupert, as the two went down to Penters' Alley.</p> - -<p>"It's a good thing there's a moon," said the Major casting a -glance upward, "if these Chinamen try to bolt, we can chase -them."</p> - -<p>"Do you expect Hwei to be there also?"</p> - -<p>"I can't say," said Tidman, "but if Tung-yu is, I suspect Hwei -won't be far off. They work in couples as you know."</p> - -<p>"And pull against each other like ill-matched dogs," said -Rupert, "a queer compact, this."</p> - -<p>"It's silly. I think the Mandarin must be mad with all this -rubbish about his gim-crack god Kwang-ho. Here we are--and -there's the lantern. What a narrow street."</p> - -<p>They stepped down the Alley in the bright moonlight. The lantern -flared above the same house as Rupert had entered before, and at -the door stood a small figure. It was the Chinese boy dressed in -red. "Ah," said Rupert significantly, "Hwei is certainly here, -as well as Tung-yu, We'll have trouble."</p> - -<p>"If Hwei tries to kill me, I'll shoot," said the Major, and -produced a neat revolver. "I've held my life in my hands before -now."</p> - -<p>Rupert was about to speak to the boy who stood silently before -the closed door, when he heard a long agonised scream within the -house. The boy smiled in a cruel manner, and Rupert tried to -dash past. But the boy prevented him. Tidman, however, was more -fortunate and flung himself against the door. Evidently, a -tragedy was taking place inside. As the Major ran forward, the -door opened suddenly and Burgh dashed out and down the street, -towards the river. After him came Tung-yu, his face alive with -fury. Tidman gave a shout, and made after the two, but Rupert, -wondering who was being killed, sprang down the passage and -entered the room, where formerly he had met with the adventure. -A tall Chinaman was standing in the middle of the floor wiping a -knife on his blouse. He turned, and Rupert beheld Hwei. The -Chinaman pointed to the floor with a ghastly smile. "The doom of -the god Kwang-ho," said he, and ran out of the house swiftly.</p> - -<p>Rupert cast his eyes on a body lying on the floor. It was that -of a woman and from her breast a stream of blood was flowing. -She was not yet dead, but looked up with a pain-drawn face. -Ainsleigh drew back with an exclamation. It was Miss Pewsey.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_23" href="#div1Ref_23">CHAPTER XXIII</a></h4> -<h5>The Chase</h5> -<br> - -<p>Rupert stared at the wounded woman amazed. How came Miss Pewsey -into this den? He was so astonished, that he forgot to call for -assistance. Miss Pewsey gave a moan and opened her eyes. At once -she recognised Ainsleigh, for the light from the tasselled -lantern overhead, fell full on his amazed face.</p> - -<p>"So you are safe," said Miss Pewsey with difficulty, "didn't -Tung-yu kill you."</p> - -<p>"I have just arrived," said Rupert, "your nephew has gone out -followed by Tung-yu."</p> - -<p>"I hope he'll catch him," muttered Miss Pewsey, "Tung-yu stabbed -me. Clarence snatched the papers and ran away leaving me here to -die."</p> - -<p>"How did you get the papers?" asked Rupert startled.</p> - -<p>"I got them from Clarence--he asked me to come up here, -and--oh," she fell back insensible. Rupert thought she was dead -and forgetting where he was, cried loudly for assistance. He -heard footsteps approaching and Lo-Keong in sober attired -entered. The stately Chinaman was roused out of his usual self. -He appeared disturbed and his face was distorted. "Rodgers and -his men are chasing Tung-yu," said Lo-Keong grasping Rupert's -arm, "go after them. Tung-yu has the papers."</p> - -<p>"But Miss Pewsey."</p> - -<p>Lo-Keong started back. "That woman," he cried, as startled as -Rupert had been, "pooh, let her die. She deserves her fate. She -has been the cause of the trouble. Go--go, Mr. Ainsleigh--go -after Tung-yu."</p> - -<p>"But Miss Pewsey!" repeated Rupert, seeing the woman open her -eyes, and recognising that life yet remained.</p> - -<p>"I'll see to her. I'll get a doctor." Lo-Keong struck the gong -near the door. "But get me those papers. All my life depends -upon them. Remember--one hundred thousand pounds--go--go. It may -be too late. Don't allow Tung-yu to escape."</p> - -<p>Rupert was quite bewildered as the Chinaman pushed him out of -the door. Then, recognising that he could do nothing to help -Miss Pewsey, and that Lo-Keong, for his own sake would do all he -could to keep her alive, so that he might learn how the packet -came into her possession, Rupert ran out of the house, and found -the street filled with screaming Chinamen and chattering -Europeans. Some policemen were coming down the alley from the -main thoroughfare, and everyone appeared to be alarmed. The -ragged mob rushed into various doors, at the sight of the -officers, but the Chinamen still continued to cackle and scream. -Suddenly Rupert heard a revolver shot, and wondered if the Major -had got into trouble. Remembering that Burgh, with Tung-yu in -pursuit, had gone down the alley towards the water, he raced in -the same direction, and at once, two policemen, seeing him go, -followed. There was no time to undeceive them, so Rupert ran on, -eager to come up with Burgh. He had the papers, according to -Miss Pewsey, and in spite of Lo-Keong's statement, Ainsleigh -suspected that Miss Pewsey was right. Else Tung-yu would not be -in pursuit of the buccaneers. As Rupert tore down the moonlit -alley, he heard the high clear voice of the Mandarin calling on -the police to stop. Then the tumult recommenced.</p> - -<p>It mattered little to Ainsleigh. As he raced blindly on, he felt -a thrill of joy in his veins. It seemed to him that he had never -lived before, and that this man-hunt was the climax of life. At -the end of the Alley he came on a dilapidated wharf, which ran -out into the turbid water, and saw a stout figure dancing on -this. At once he hurried down to find Major Tidman, who -recognised him at once.</p> - -<p>"There was a boat waiting," gasped the Major seizing Rupert's -arm. "Burgh jumped into it and pushed off. Tung-yu came after, -and as the boat was already in mid-stream he plunged into the -water."</p> - -<p>"Where is Hwei?"</p> - -<p>"Rodgers and his men are after him. I fired a shot, and I -believe, I hit Tung-yu, as he was swimming. Who has the papers?"</p> - -<p>"Burgh. Keep a look out for him. I'll run along the bank," and -before the Major could expostulate, Ainsleigh dashed up the -wharf and ran along the bank of the river.</p> - -<p>He did this because his quick eye had seen a black head bobbing -in the water below the wharf. The swimmer was evidently making -for the near shore. Rupert did not know if it was Tung-yu or -Hwei, but hurried at top speed along the bank, in the hope of -catching the man when he came ashore. He sped along a kind of -narrow way, for here, the old houses of Rotherhithe came down, -almost to the water's edge. There were lights in some of the -windows, but for the most part, these were in darkness. To -Rupert's left, loomed the house, and on his right was the river -bank, shelving down to the glittering water. A few piles ran out -into the stream, and as the river was low, there were acres of -evil-smelling mud. The man was making for the bank and battling -hard against the stream, which was sweeping him down. Rupert -shouted, and seeing him on the bank, the swimmer seemed to stop, -apparently dreading the reception he would get.</p> - -<p>Finally he resumed his stroke, and made for a wharf, some -distance down. Ainsleigh ran for this, but was stopped by a -wooden fence. He managed to climb over, and raced on to the -wharf; but the swimmer was nowhere to be seen.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, Rupert caught sight of a figure crawling up the bank a -little distance below, and again ran up the wharf to the -pathway. The man who had landed caught sight of him, and leaping -on to the hard path, ran along the river bank, but in a swaying -manner, as though his powers of endurance were exhausted. -Considering how hard he had battled with the current, probably -the man's strength had given out and Rupert, feeling fresh and -fit, thought he would have no difficulty in catching up. But the -man ran hard, and then dropped out of sight below the bank. -Apparently he had taken to the river again. Rupert raced down so -quickly, as to overshoot the mark, where the man had slipped -down. While looking round, he caught sight of him again. He ran -up the bank and dodged into a narrow side street. Rupert was -after him in a moment. The man had vanished round a corner--so -Ainsleigh thought--but when Rupert came after, he saw the street -in the moonlight was perfectly empty, and turned back. The -fugitive had tricked him, by dodging into a dark corner, and was -again on the bank. He leaped on the wharf, and scrambled down -the piles to a boat which swung at the end of a long rope. While -he hauled this in painfully, and pantingly, Rupert leaped on -him. The man looked up with an oath, and closed with his -pursuer. It was Burgh.</p> - -<p>"The papers--the papers," gasped Rupert, "you give them up."</p> - -<p>"I'll kill you first," said Burgh setting his teeth, and, -exhausted as he was, he struggled with preternatural strength. -The two men swung and swayed on the edge of the wharf, till -Burgh tripped up his opponent and both fell into the water. -Rupert still held his grip, and felt the body of Burgh grow -heavy. He rose to the surface, dragging at the buccaneer, and, -as the two had fallen into shallow water, Rupert staggered on to -the evil-smelling mud. He was obliged to let go Burgh, who -apparently, had been playing possum, for he rose to his feet and -made a feeble attempt to climb the bank. Seeing this, Rupert, -who was almost exhausted himself with the long pursuit and the -cold doûche, struck out, and Burgh, with a cry of rage fell flat -into the mud. The next moment Rupert was kneeling on his chest. -"The papers, you scoundrel," he said between his teeth.</p> - -<p>"Haven't got them. Tung-yu----"</p> - -<p>"You lie. Give me those papers, or I'll tear your clothes off to -find them."</p> - -<p>Burgh tried to utter a taunting laugh, but the effort was too -much for his strength. He stopped suddenly, and with a sob -closed his eyes. The body became inert, and as Rupert could see -no wound, he concluded that the buccaneer had fainted. At once -he removed his knee, and began his search. He went deliberately -through the pockets of the insensible man, and finally came -across a packet bound in red brocade. It was in Burgh's breast, -next to the skin. Rupert, with this in his hand, rose with a -gasp of relief. He had the papers after all, and now, could hope -to get the money from the Mandarin. He slipped the important -packet into his pocket, and then producing a flask of brandy, he -forced a few drops between the clenched teeth of his antagonist. -He did not wish the man to die, and moreover, he was desirous of -questioning him. In a few moments Burgh opened his eyes. "You," -he said, as soon as he recovered his scattered senses, and he -made an effort to rise.</p> - -<p>"No you don't," said Rupert pushing him back, "you'll try and -reach for your revolver."</p> - -<p>"Go slow," muttered Burgh, lying on his back in the mud. "I give -in, Ainsleigh. You've won."</p> - -<p>"I've got the papers, if that's what you mean. They shall be -given to Lo-Keong."</p> - -<p>"And you'll get the five thousand."</p> - -<p>"I'll get one hundred thousand," said Rupert, keeping a watchful -eye on his late opponent.</p> - -<p>"Huh," said Burgh with a groan, "what luck. And all I have got, -is a ducking. Let me up and give me some more brandy. Remember, -I saved your life from Forge, Ainsleigh."</p> - -<p>"Quite so, and you tried to kill me just now," said Rupert -dryly. "I think we are quits. However, here's the brandy, and -you can sit up. No treachery mind, or I'll shoot you," and -Rupert pulled out his Derringer.</p> - -<p>The buccaneer gave a grunt and sat up with an effort. "I'm not -up to a row," he gasped. "There's no fight left in me. Great -Scott, to think I was so near success. I'll be poor for the rest -of my life, I guess."</p> - -<p>"You'll be hanged for the murder of Miss Wharf, you mean."</p> - -<p>Burgh took a deep draught of the brandy, which put new life into -his veins. He actually grinned when he took the flask from his -lips. "I reckon that's not my end," said he. "I never killed the -old girl. No sir--not such a flat."</p> - -<p>"Then who did kill her?"</p> - -<p>"Find out," was the ungracious response.</p> - -<p>"See here, Burgh," said Rupert, swinging himself on to a pile of -the wharf. "I mean to get to the bottom of this business, once -and for all. The papers shall be given to the Marquis and then, -I hope, we shall hear the last of this fan business. But I must -know who killed--"</p> - -<p>"There--there," said Burgh with a shrug, and after another -drink, "I cave in: you've got the bulge on me. But I guess, if -you want to keep those papers, you'd best clear out, Tung-yu -will be along soon looking for them. I leaped into a boat and -pushed out, but that Chinese devil swam after, and when I got -into trouble with the oars, he climbed on board with a long -knife. I jumped over-board and made for the bank, where you -raced me down. But I guess Tung-yu will bring that craft of his -ashore, and he's hunting for me like a dog as he is."</p> - -<p>"Rodgers, and Hwei, and Lo-Keong, and a lot of policemen are -hunting for Tung-yu," said Rupert coolly, "so you need give -yourself no further trouble. Tell me why you killed Miss Wharf?"</p> - -<p>"I didn't, confound you," growled Burgh.</p> - -<p>"Then you know who did?"</p> - -<p>"Yes--it was Forge."</p> - -<p>"That's a lie. Forge wrote to my wife, and denied that you gave -him the tie."</p> - -<p>"Then Tidman killed the old girl."</p> - -<p>"No. He was with me on the beach. Come now, you shan't get off -in this way. Tell me who is guilty?"</p> - -<p>"If I do, will you let me go?"</p> - -<p>"I make no bargains. Out with it."</p> - -<p>Burgh looked black, but being tired out and at the mercy of -Rupert's revolver, he growled sulkily, "It was Aunt Lavinia."</p> - -<p>"Miss Pewsey--that frail little woman--impossible."</p> - -<p>"Frail," echoed the Buccaneer with scorn, "she's as tough as -hickory and as wicked a little devil as ever breathed. Why, she -learned about the fan from Forge when he was delirious, and gave -away the show to Lo-Keong in China--"</p> - -<p>"I know that. And she wished Olivia to have the fan, that she -might be killed."</p> - -<p>"That's so, you bet. But old Wharf got it, and so, was killed."</p> - -<p>"But not by Tung-yu, or Hwei."</p> - -<p>"No." Burgh took a final drink, and having emptied the flask, -flung it into the river. Then he took out a cigarette, which was -dry enough to light. When smoking, he began to laugh. "Well this -is a rum show," said he. "I guess you've got all the fun. I'm -sold proper."</p> - -<p>"Tell me your story," said Rupert imperatively, "I want to get -back to Penter's Alley to see your aunt."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I guess she's a goner by this time," said Burgh easily, -"Tung-yu knifed her."</p> - -<p>"You mean Hwei. I found him wiping the knife."</p> - -<p>"No. Tung-yu stuck her, and dropped the knife. Aunty was just -passing the packet to Hwei, when Tung-yu stabbed her. I reckon -he intended to grab the packet, but I was too sharp for him, and -caught it away from his hand. Then I raced out and he after me. -Hwei stayed behind to clean the knife, I reckon."</p> - -<p>"No, he followed you two almost immediately."</p> - -<p>"Then both Chinamen will be here soon. You'd best cut."</p> - -<p>"Not till I learn the truth."</p> - -<p>"I've told you the truth," snapped Burgh, in a weary voice. "My -old aunt strangled Miss Wharf. Yes. Aunty told me of the tie, -and asked me to get it for her. I didn't know what she wanted to -do with it, so I did. I took it out of your pocket when Dalham -was out of the room. Then I gave it to aunty. She told Miss -Wharf that Tung-yu wanted to see her on the steps, after eleven. -Miss Wharf went there and then aunty followed and sat down -beside her on the steps. I guess she kept her in talk and then -slipped the tie round her old throat and pulled with all her -might. And she's strong, I can tell you," added Clarence -confidentially. "She nearly broke my arm one day twisting it. -Miss Wharf hadn't time to call out, and was a deader in two -minutes, for aunty froze on to her like death."</p> - -<p>"Death indeed," murmured Rupert with a shudder.</p> - -<p>"Well then aunty bucked up round by the front of the hotel with -the fan in her pocket and left the tie round the neck of the old -girl, so that <i>you</i> might hang. All went well, but the next day -I went to aunty and asked for the fan. She was very sick, as she -intended to sell it that day to Tung-yu. But Tung-yu had cut -along with Hwei in the yacht, both thinking they might be -accused of the murder. They thought that old Tidman did the -biznai," grinned Burgh, "and I let them think so, having my own -game to play with aunty."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Ainsleigh shortly, "and what did you do?"</p> - -<p>"I told aunty I'd split if I didn't get the fan, so she -passed it along to me. Then I learned about the secret from -Tung-yu--the waving in the smoke you know. I found out the kind -of smoke from Forge--"</p> - -<p>"And repaid him by a lying accusation."</p> - -<p>"That's so," said Burgh coolly, "there ain't no flies on me. But -let's heave ahead. It's cold sitting here."</p> - -<p>"Go on then," said Ainsleigh sharply.</p> - -<p>"Well I learned about the picture, and guessed about the abbey. -The picture was plain enough. I came that day you found me, to -see the place."</p> - -<p>"And stole the packet then?"</p> - -<p>"No, I waited till night and rigged myself up as the Abbot. I -knew it would make anyone sick who saw a monk about at that -hour."</p> - -<p>"Not me," said Ainsleigh, "if I had caught you----"</p> - -<p>"Well you very nearly did," confessed Burgh candidly, "I came at -night and climbed all four trees before I nipped the box. Then I -prized it open and climbed down leaving the box, so that -Lo-Keong might get sold when he came to look. Just as I got -down, that old housekeeper of yours screeched, and cut. I was -startled, and dropped the fan. Not wishing to leave that behind, -I began to look for it. Then you and the butler turned up and I -lighted out sharp."</p> - -<p>"What happened next?"</p> - -<p>"Well I wanted the money, but not knowing the days of Hwei and -Tung-yu, thought I might get stabbed, instead of the money. So I -took the packet to Aunty, and asked her to go up, telling her -Tung-yu would give her the money. She fell into the trap."</p> - -<p>"But she knew that Hwei--"</p> - -<p>"It wasn't Hwei's day," said Burgh, "at least it turned out so, -though I didn't know it at the time, and so sent on Aunty to get -the cash. I intended to pull the dollars out of her when she did -get them, or leave her to die if Hwei knifed her."</p> - -<p>"You blackguard."</p> - -<p>"Go slow," said Burgh coolly, "aunty was no friend to you. I -say, do you know why aunty wanted me to marry Olivia. It was -because I'm married already and if--"</p> - -<p>He got no further. Rupert knocked him backwards into the mud. -Burgh leaped to his feet, and suddenly cried, "Look behind." -Rupert did so very foolishly, and Burgh flung himself forward. -But all the same Burgh was right to warn Ainsleigh. A man was -staggering along the wharf. He was in Chinese dress.</p> - -<p>"Knife him, Tung-yu," cried Burgh, struggling with Rupert, "I'll -hold him. He's got the papers."</p> - -<p>The Chinaman gave a screech and hurled himself on the pair. -Rupert wrenched himself away from Burgh and struck out at -Tung-yu. At the same moment he heard another cry, and Hwei came -leaping down the wharf. Before Tung-yu could turn, his enemy was -on him, and as Rupert was again closing in death grips with -Burgh, he had no time to see what was taking place. He could -hear the Chinamen snarling like angry cats on the wharf, and was -himself fighting in the mud with Burgh for his life. Luckily -Rupert got his hand free and it was the one which held the -revolver. He fired at random--three shots.</p> - -<p>There was a shout in the distance: but at that moment, the -buccaneer seized him by the throat and threw him down. Rupert -with a strangled cry felt himself being forced beneath the -water, and thought the end had come. He could hear the struggle -between Hwei and Tung-yu going on furiously, and hear also very -faintly the deep laughter of his opponent. Then he lost -consciousness. Everything became dark, and Rupert's last thought -was that all his pains had been in vain. He would die, and -Olivia would be a widow.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_24" href="#div1Ref_24">CHAPTER XXIV</a></h4> -<h5>The Fulfilled Prophecy</h5> -<br> - -<p>When Rupert came to his senses, the surroundings seemed to be -familiar. He had lost consciousness on the banks of the Thames, -and during a fierce struggle with a treacherous foe. He opened -his eyes to find himself in his own bed in his own room at -Royabay. But he felt strangely weak and indisposed to talk. -After a glance, he closed his eyes again. Then, after what -seemed to him to be a few minutes--it was really half an -hour--he opened them again, and this time he saw Olivia bending -over him with an anxious face. "Dearest," he murmured weakly.</p> - -<p>"Oh Rupert, do you know me?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Where am I--what are you doing here?"</p> - -<p>"You are at the Abbey. Don't speak. Take this," and some beef -tea was held to his dry lips.</p> - -<p>Ainsleigh drank a little and then fell asleep again. When he did -so there was an artificial light in the room, but when he woke -the sun was streaming in through the window. But his wife was -still beside his bed, and still looked anxious. However, she -gave a little cry of joy when Rupert spoke in a stronger voice. -He was beginning to collect his scattered senses. "Have I been -ill long?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Four days," she replied, "don't talk, darling."</p> - -<p>"But the packet?"</p> - -<p>"The Marquis has it safe."</p> - -<p>"Burgh?"</p> - -<p>"He has escaped. Don't talk."</p> - -<p>"Miss Pewsey," said Rupert faintly.</p> - -<p>"She is dead."</p> - -<p>"Then Miss Pewsey <i>did</i> strangle your aunt."</p> - -<p>"Yes--yes--the doctor says you are not to talk."</p> - -<p>"Just one more question. Those Chinamen?"</p> - -<p>"Hwei and Tung-yu. They were drowned."</p> - -<p>Rupert smiled weakly, and turning on his side went off into a -deep sleep. The doctor who called later, said it was the best -thing he could do. "He has had a severe shock," said he to -Olivia, "and his nervous system is shaken. You may be thankful -he did not wake with a disordered brain."</p> - -<p>"Oh, doctor, you don't think--"</p> - -<p>"No! No! It's all right. He would not have asked those questions -if anything was wrong with his mind. In a few weeks he will be -quite himself. But I think, Mrs. Ainsleigh, that you should take -him abroad for a time."</p> - -<p>Olivia gladly promised to do this, the more so, as she wanted to -escape herself from Marport for a time. The news of Miss -Pewsey's death had caused a great sensation, and a still greater -one was caused by the publication in the paper of her crime. -Everyone, now knew that the bitter little woman had strangled -Miss Wharf, and everyone was very severe on her. The funeral had -to be conducted quietly, as the mob showed signs of intending to -interrupt. However, the police kept back the irate crowd, and -Miss Pewsey was buried in a quiet corner of St. Peter's -church-yard, where a few weeks before, she had hoped to be -married. But her intended bridegroom was in America, and Miss -Pewsey's mortal part was in the grave. Where her immortal soul -was and what would become of it, was talked over by people, who -were less forgiving than they ought to have been.</p> - -<p>Ainsleigh recovered his strength quicker then the doctor thought -he would. Olivia nursed him with devoted tenderness, and often -wept as she thought how nearly she had lost him. When Rupert was -better able to hear the recital, she gave him a short account of -his rescue. "Those three shots you fired brought up Rodgers and -his men, who were searching for Hwei and Tung-yu. They came, -just in time to pull Mr. Burgh off you. He was holding you down -under the water, and Mr. Rodgers thought you were dead. However -the doctor was called, and they brought you round. Then I was -telegraphed for, and I insisted that you should be taken back to -Royabay. I had my way, although the doctor in London said it -would be dangerous. So here you are, darling, in your own home, -and soon will be all right."</p> - -<p>"Thanks to your nursing," said Ainsleigh, kissing her, "but -Olivia, tell me about Miss Pewsey."</p> - -<p>"She made a confession before she died," said Mrs. Ainsleigh, -"oh Rupert, even though she is dead, I can't help saying, that -she was a wicked little woman."</p> - -<p>"Wicked indeed," said Rupert, recalling what Burgh had said, -"she wished you to marry Burgh, because he was married already."</p> - -<p>"In which case he would have deserted me," said Mrs. Ainsleigh -with a crimson face, "he was as bad as she. But listen, Rupert, -if you feel strong enough."</p> - -<p>"Go on," said Ainsleigh, and held his wife's hand while she -talked.</p> - -<p>"Well, then," began Mrs. Ainsleigh, "after the Marquis pushed -you out of the Penter's Alley room, he went and got a doctor, -who said that Miss Pewsey was dying. She heard him, having -regained her senses, and then began to cry, saying how wicked -she had been. For the sake of everyone, Lo-Keong asked her to -make a confession. As soon as she knew there was no hope of her -recovery, she agreed to do so. A clergyman was called in, and he -took down what she said. The confession was witnessed and -signed, and Mr. Rodgers has it."</p> - -<p>"What did she confess?" asked Rupert.</p> - -<p>"Oh," Olivia covered her face, "it was really awful. She said -that she was always jealous of Aunt Sophia, and of me. She -wished to get the five hundred a year. At first she thought she -would get it by marrying me to her nephew, and then she could -finger the money, when my aunt died. But she soon saw that I was -not to be guided in the way she desired, and cast about for a -new plan."</p> - -<p>"But, Olivia, if she knew Burgh was married----"</p> - -<p>"Oh, that didn't matter to her. She intended he should marry me -and then if I got the money she intended to say there was no -marriage, unless I gave her the five hundred a year. She wished -to disgrace me.</p> - -<p>"A kind of blackmail, in fact."</p> - -<p>"Yes. But I can't understand, how she intended to reckon with -Mr. Burgh, who is not an easy person to deal with. Well Rupert, -when she found that I would not marry Mr. Burgh, she tried to -get a new will made. She did not succeed for a long time. -Meanwhile, she heard about the fan and wrote to Lo-Keong. When -she saw the advertisement she was alarmed, thinking Aunt Sophia -would be killed before the new will was made. Luckily for her, -she overheard about our secret marriage and told Aunt Sophia, -who made a new will, and who intended, after the ball, to turn -me out of the house.</p> - -<p>"But your aunt was so kind to you at that time."</p> - -<p>"So as to make things harder for me," said Olivia sadly, "poor -Aunt Sophia, she was quite under the thumb of Miss Pewsey, who -really did hypnotise her--at least she confessed she had power -over her in the confession. But I don't think it was difficult -to get Aunt Sophia to alter her will, seeing she hated you so, -and could not bear to think that the five hundred a year, should -go to the son of the man, she thought, had scorned her."</p> - -<p>"That was not true: my father--"</p> - -<p>"Yes! Yes! I know. Don't talk too much, Rupert you are weak yet. -But let me go on," added Olivia, passing her hand over her -husband's forehead. "Well then, when the new will was made, Miss -Pewsey let Tung-yu know that Aunt Sophia would have the fan at -the ball. She didn't know whether Tung-yu or Hwei was to kill -the possessor of the fan, and when she learned that Aunt Sophia -was to sell the fan next day, she was very angry."</p> - -<p>"Why. With her influence she could have got the money."</p> - -<p>"Not all to herself, and besides she wanted the five hundred a -year, and Aunt Sophia out of the way. Moreover, that scarf I -knitted for you gave her a chance of throwing the blame on you. -She got Clarence to get it, and then lured Miss Wharf--my -aunt--to the steps where she strangled her."</p> - -<p>"Yes. Burgh told me. I know the rest. Her nephew made her give -up the fan, learned the secret, and stole the packet. Then he -made his aunt take it to Penter's Alley."</p> - -<p>Olivia nodded. "And Miss Pewsey thought she would get the money, -as Burgh said it was Tung-yu's hour."</p> - -<p>"So it was. He spoke truly enough, although he didn't risk -giving up the packet himself. Well."</p> - -<p>"But Tung-yu killed Miss Pewsey after all. She asked twenty -thousand pounds and refused to give it for less. Clarence Burgh -who had come up with her, came into the room with Hwei, who saw -the packet pass, but could not interfere."</p> - -<p>"Because it wasn't his hour."</p> - -<p>"Yes. And all would have been well, had not Tung-yu suddenly -disobeyed the god Kwang-ho's commands and stabbed Miss Pewsey. -Of course, Hwei was released from his oath by this act and tried -to get the packet. But Clarence Burgh snatched it from both and -ran away. Tung-yu went after him, and then Hwei followed, after -wiping the knife. Then--"</p> - -<p>"I know the rest. I got the packet from Burgh."</p> - -<p>"Yes, and he tried to drown you. Hwei and Tung-yu were -struggling together, as Tung-yu wanted to get the packet from -you. But Hwei stabbed him with the same knife he had used to -kill Miss Pewsey, and in his death grip, Tung-yu drew Hwei into -the water. Both were dead and still locked in each other's -embrace when they were drawn out. Lo-Keong said that Tung-yu -deserved his doom for having trifled with Kwang-ho, but he -mourns for Hwei."</p> - -<p>"It seems to be much of a muchness," said Rupert, "and Burgh?"</p> - -<p>"Rodgers threw himself on him, and he was secured. You were -taken away, and I was telegraphed for. But while Burgh was being -taken to prison he contrived to escape, and got away in the -darkness."</p> - -<p>"But Olivia, it was a bright, moonlight night."</p> - -<p>"At first it was, but the moon set and darkness came on. The -police have been searching for Burgh, but he has not been found, -and it is supposed he has got away from England."</p> - -<p>"I hope so," said Rupert with a shudder. "I never wish to set -eyes on him again. So that's the end of it all."</p> - -<p>"Not quite. Lo-Keong is in the library with Mr. Asher. Oh, -Rupert, you must prepare yourself for the best of news."</p> - -<p>The young man rose, and was led downstairs by his wife, "I am -quite ready to hear the good news," he said, as they descended. -"I have had far too much bad news in my life."</p> - -<p>As Olivia said, the lawyer was waiting in the library, and stood -before the fire with an expectant face. Lo-Keong, in even more -gorgeous robes than he had worn on the occasion of his first -visit, was seated in his stately manner near the window. He rose -as the master of Royabay entered, and came forward with a -serious smile.</p> - -<p>"My young friend," said the Mandarin. "I have to thank you for -saving my life. The papers which would have ruined me, and which -would have cost me my head, have been burnt. Hwei is dead, and -Tung-yu; so no one but yourself knows what those papers meant. -My august mistress will never have proof that I was engaged in -the Boxer rebellion, and Hop Sing will be degraded for ever."</p> - -<p>"And you, Marquis?"</p> - -<p>"I shall receive the yellow jacket," said the Mandarin, proudly, -"now I remain but a short time here, I go to London in an hour, -and this evening I leave for the Continent on my way to China. -We shall never meet again Mr. Ainsleigh, unless you come to -Pekin."</p> - -<p>"No," said Olivia, instinctively protecting Rupert, "we have had -enough of China, Marquis. Sit down, Rupert."</p> - -<p>Ainsleigh took a chair, and the Marquis smiled blandly. "Well, -well, well," he said, "it is natural you should feel rather -nervous of my countrymen, though I assure you, if you do visit -me, that you will be quite safe and highly honoured."</p> - -<p>"No, thank you Marquis," said Rupert wearily, for he was -beginning to feel fatigued.</p> - -<p>"I see you are tired," said Lo-Keong, in his stately manner, -"sol will merely say I hope to send you some presents from my -own country, and then Mr. Asher can speak," he bowed to the -solicitor.</p> - -<p>"I am glad to tell Mr. Ainsleigh," said the lawyer, "that the -Marquis has handed me securities which show that the sum of one -hundred thousand pounds is invested in your name. We can -transfer the securities to English investments if you like -but--"</p> - -<p>"I'll leave them in Chinese," said Rupert quickly.</p> - -<p>Lo-Keong bowed in a gratified manner. "You will be wise," he -said, "they are safe investments and all my interest at the -Imperial court, will go to make you richer, if I can."</p> - -<p>"You have done enough. Marquis," said Ainsleigh gratefully, "you -have given me back my old home."</p> - -<p>"And we will be rich besides," said Olivia delightedly.</p> - -<p>"There's another thing," said Mr. Asher, looking at the girl, -"Miss Pewsey made a will in your favour, Mrs. Ainsleigh."</p> - -<p>Olivia drew back with a red face. "Impossible! She hated me."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Asher dryly, "I expect she repented of her evil -deeds, or perhaps she hated her nephew more than she did you. -That gentleman wrote from a Continental address to Mr. Paster -asking if his aunt had left him the money as she promised. I -expect the address is a false one, as Mr. Burgh won't wish to be -caught."</p> - -<p>"He is a bold man that," said Lo-Keong.</p> - -<p>"He is," assented Asher, "but he won't benefit. Mrs. Ainsleigh -gets the five hundred a year, the freehold of Ivy Lodge, and also the -mortgage which Miss Wharf bought to ruin Mr. Ainsleigh."</p> - -<p>"We have everything--everything," cried Olivia.</p> - -<p>"I am very thankful," said Rupert. "Mr. Asher--"</p> - -<p>"I'll see you about the investments when you are stronger," said -the lawyer, "meanwhile here is the carriage at the door. The -Marquis is kind enough to give me a lift," and Mr. Asher took -his leave, with a profound bow, to so opulent a client as -Rupert.</p> - -<p>The Marquis Lo-Keong came forward with his kind smile. "Before I -wish you good-bye and all happiness," he said, holding out the -famous fan, "will you take this?"</p> - -<p>"No," said Olivia, preventing Rupert from accepting it, "I hate -the very sight of the thing. It has blood on it."</p> - -<p>"I think you are right, Mrs. Ainsleigh," said the Chinaman -gravely, "and, as it has done its duty, it may as well go the -way of the packet which now is ashes," and advancing to the -fire, he flung the fan on the burning coals. It burst into a -blaze, and in a few minutes all had vanished save the slivers of -jade and the beads. The housemaid collected these next morning -and gave them to Olivia, who threw them off the Marport pier. So -that was the end of the Mandarin's fan.</p> - -<p>"And now," said Lo-Keong, bowing, "good-bye, and great happiness -to you both."</p> - -<p>Rupert and Olivia shook hands warmly, and thanked him heartily. -The Mandarin walked out of the room in his stately way, and they -went to the window to see him drive off. At the bend of the -avenue, he waved his hand graciously, and that was the last the -master and mistress of Royabay saw of the man who had owned the -fan.</p> - -<p>A chuckle at the door made the couple turn from the window. -There, peering in, stood Mrs. Petley, who had stuck with her -husband to Rupert during his troubles. Her face was shining, and -old John seemed to be years younger. Mrs. Petley, for some queer -reason, threw a shoe at the pair. "Health and happiness," she -said, "begging your pardons both. But to think of money and -happiness, and no walking of that blessed monk, who--"</p> - -<p>"He never walked," said Rupert smiling, "it was Hwei--"</p> - -<p>"Begging your pardon, sir, Hwei--whosoever he is, didn't walk -<i>all</i> the time. Abbot Raoul did appear, as I can testify, and so -can John here. But now the prophecy has been fulfilled, perhaps -he'll rest quiet in his grave, drat him."</p> - -<p>"The prophecy?" said Olivia, who was holding her husband's hand.</p> - -<p>From behind Mrs. Petley came the quavering voice of the ancient -butler, declaiming the rude rhymes:--</p> - -<div style="margin-left: 3%; font-size:smaller"> -<p class="t3" style="text-indent:-10px">"My curse from the tyrants will never depart,<br> -For a sword in the hands of the angel flashes:</p> -<p class="t1">Till Ainsleigh poor, weds the poor maid of his heart,</p> -<p class="t3">And gold be brought forth from the holy ashes."</p> -</div> - -<p>"And that's quite true," said a jovial voice, and Major Tidman, -as smart and stout as ever, entered. "How do, Ainsleigh, I'm -glad to see you looking so well. Yes," he added, sitting down, -"you <i>were</i> poor Ainsleigh when you married--"</p> - -<p>"And I was poor also," cried Olivia.</p> - -<p>"Very good, the third line is fulfilled and the fourth--"</p> - -<p>"Was gold brought forth from the holy ashes?" asked Rupert.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Master Rupert," said old John, "you picked up the fan in -the place where the ashes were, and out of the fan has come -gold. The prophecy is fulfilled, sure enough, and I hope Abbot -Raoul will stop walking for ever."</p> - -<p>"Of course he will," cried Mrs. Petley, dragging her husband -outside, "there's no more trouble for you, Master Rupert and -Miss Olivia."</p> - -<p>"Mr. and Mrs. Ainsleigh, of Royabay," said Tidman, laughing, -"give them their proper titles, Mrs. Petley. And I think the -present occasion deserves a bottle of port."</p> - -<p>The ancient butler went away with his wife, to bring forth one -of the last bottles of that priceless vintage. Major Tidman, -gloating in anticipation, sat still, and smiled with a bland -face. But Rupert drew Olivia to the sofa, and they sat down -where they had often mourned on many a weary day. "Dearest," -said Ainsleigh, kissing her.</p> - -<p>"We can be happy now," said Olivia putting her arms round his -neck, "for we are rich. We shall take again our proper place in -the county."</p> - -<p>"We are rich and we are happy," echoed the master of Royabay.</p> - -<p>"Ha! ha! You have one hundred thousand pounds, Ainsleigh," said -Tidman.</p> - -<p>"I have something better."</p> - -<p>"What's that?"</p> - -<p>"My own dear wife, Olivia Ainsleigh."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>The End</h4> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<hr class="W90"> -<h5><i>The Anchor Press, Ltd., Tiptree Heath, Kelvedon, Essex</i>.</h5> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mandarin's Fan, by Fergus Hume - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MANDARIN'S FAN *** - -***** This file should be named 55606-h.htm or 55606-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/6/0/55606/ - -Produced by Charles Bowen from page scans provided by the -Internet Archive (University of California Libraries) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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