The Mandarin's Fan

"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 everybodys 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 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 Markham'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 Superintendant 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 ballroom 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 Tung-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 dysentry. 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 over-heard 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 ballroom shortly before mid-night 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 down-stairs 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 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 alongside 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 over-coat, 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 Penter's 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're 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 emmissary 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 Hwei'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."

"Right 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 Penter's Alley, some time after mid-night, 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 cavorted 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:—

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 XVIII

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 woman 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 to 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.

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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!T'was 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 declares 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 to 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."

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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 abear 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 guardian-ship 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.Pull 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.

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