The Mandarin's Fan · OmniClassics

Transcriber's Note. Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as possible, however it should be noted that this text contains extremely non-standard and erratic punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. In most places these errata have been transcribed as printed. There is a listing of the major changes, including those made for ASCII compliance, at the end of this document. All changes were made with the objective of maintaining the author's original intent and to more easily allow you, the reader, to understand this novel. [Illustration: [_Frontispiece_ "WELL, SAIL IN. WE'RE READY FOR THE PLAY." (_page_ 198)] POPULAR NOVELS BY FERGUS HUME Author of 'The Mystery of a Hansom Cab,' etc. In Crown 8vo, pictorial cloth. Price 6s. each. THE RED WINDOW =Second Impression= 'For a skilfully conceived plot, succession of stirring incidents and series of surprises, not one of Mr. Fergus Hume's books is surpassed by "The Red Window." ... Is the best book of the kind issued this season.'--_Newcastle Daily Journal._ THE YELLOW HOLLY =Third Edition= 'A story of thrilling interest.'--_To-Day._ 'An exciting detective story.'--_Academy._ A COIN OF EDWARD VII. =Third Edition= 'A clever detective story. The book holds one spellbound to the end.'--_Yorkshire Herald._ THE CRIME OF THE CRYSTAL =Third Edition= 'Mr. Fergus Hume once more shows his skill in weaving an intricate plot which holds the reader enthralled until the last line. If this book were judged upon its merits it should obtain a popularity even greater than "The Mystery of a Hansom Cab."'--_Court Circular._ THE PAGAN'S CUP =Third Edition= 'For the lover of mystery the author of the "Mystery of a Hansom Cab" has prepared a feast in his new book. The story is beyond doubt enthralling, and will in every case be read at a sitting.'--_Glasgow Herald._ THE RED-HEADED MAN =Third Edition= 'Is perhaps the best piece of work that Mr. Fergus Hume has given us since he wrote "The Mystery of a Hansom Cab." The plot is very ingenious. Devoid of suspicion of padding, brightly and smoothly written, Mr. Fergus Hume's latest tale contains not a single dull chapter.'--_World._ 'A highly ingenious and well-constructed tale.'--_Scotsman._ SHYLOCK OF THE RIVER =Fifth Edition= 'Quite the most brilliant detective story Mr. Hume has given us since he made such a remarkable hit in "The Mystery of a Hansom Cab."'--_Literary World._ THE MASQUERADE MYSTERY =Third Edition= 'Is as good as, if not better than, "The Mystery of a Hansom Cab." ... It is an excellent story.'--_World._ =In Crown 8vo, Cloth, 2s. 6d. Cheap Edition= A MARRIAGE MYSTERY 'Is ingeniously put together.... Mr. Hume's new book is good of its kind.'--_Athenaeum._ 'The plot is very clever and well worked out'--_Vanity Fair._ London: DIGBY, LONG & Co., 18 Bouverie Street, Fleet St., E.C. THE MANDARIN'S FAN by FERGUS HUME AUTHOR OF "THE MYSTERY OF A HANSOM CAB," ETC. _SECOND EDITION_ LONDON DIGBY, LONG & CO. 18 BOUVERIE STREET, FLEET STREET, E.C. 1905 CONTENTS CHAPTER. PAGE. I. THE ADVERTISEMENT 1 II. DR. FORGE 13 III. MISS WHARF AT HOME 27 IV. RUPERT'S SECRET 40 V. CONCERNING THE FAN 53 VI. BURGH'S STORY 65 VII. THE WARNING 78 VIII. THE BEGINNING OF THE BALL 90 IX. THE END OF THE BALL 104 X. A MYSTERIOUS CASE 118 XI. THE CANTON ADVENTURE 132 XII. AT THE INQUEST 147 XIII. THE WILL 160 XIV. A MYSTERIOUS LETTER 172 XV. THE ROTHERHITHE DEN 185 XVI. THE FAN MYSTERY 196 XVII. A DISAPPEARANCE 208 XVIII. A SURPRISE 220 XIX. A VISITOR 232 XX. THE MANDARIN EXPLAINS 244 XXI. WHO IS GUILTY? 259 XXII. AFTER-EVENTS 274 XXIII. THE CHASE 287 XXIV. THE FULFILLED PROPHECY 300 THE MANDARIN'S FAN THE MANDARIN'S FAN CHAPTER I THE ADVERTISEMENT One July evening in the first year of the present century, two gentlemen were seated on the terrace of the mansion, known as Royabay. A small rose-wood table was placed between the deep arm-chairs, and thereon appeared wine, coffee, and a box of cigars. The young host smoked a briar and sipped coffee, but his guest, very wisely, devoted himself to superlative port and a fragrant cigar. Major Tidman was a battered old soldier of fortune, who appreciated good quarters and made the most of civilised luxuries, when other people paid for them. He had done full justice to a dinner admirably cooked and served, while Ainsleigh, the master of the feast had merely trifled with his food. Now, the wary Tidman gave himself up to the perfect enjoyment of wine, cigar and the quiet evening, while his host restlessly changed his position a dozen times in ten minutes and gloomed misanthropically at the beautiful surroundings. And these were very beautiful. From the moss-grown terrace shallow steps descended to smooth lawns and rainbow-hued flower-beds, and solemn pines girdled the open space, wherein the house was set. And under the radiance of a saffron coloured sky, stood the house, grey with centuries of wind and weather, bleaching sun and drenching rains. With its Tudor battlements, casements, diamond-paned and low oriel windows, half obliterated escutcheons; its drapery of green ivy, and heavy iron-clamped doors, it looked venerable, picturesque and peaceful. Tennyson sang in the Palace of Art of just such a quiet "English home the haunt of ancient peace." On the left, the circle of trees receded to reveal the majestic ruins of an abbey, which had supplied the stones used to construct the mansion. Built by the weak but pious Henry III., the Norman-French name Royabbaye (King's Abbey) still designated the house of the courtier who had obtained the monastery from another Henry, less pious, and more prone to destroy than to build. The country folk had corrupted the name to Royabay, and its significance was almost lost. But the owner of this fair domain knew its meaning, and loved the ancient place, which had been in the Ainsleigh family for over three hundred years. And he loved it the more, as there was a possibility of its passing away from him altogether. Rupert was the last of the old line, poor in relations, and poorer still in money. Till the reign of George the first the Ainsleighs had been rich and famous: but from the time of the Hanovarian advent their fortunes declined. Charles Ainsleigh had thrown in his lot with the unlucky Stewarts, and paid for his loyalty so largely as to cripple those who succeeded him. Augustus, the Regency buck, wasted still further the diminished property he inherited, and a Victorian Ainsleigh proved to be just such another spendthrift. Followed this wastrel, Gilbert more thrifty, who strove, but vainly, to restore the waning fortunes of his race. His son Markham, endeavouring to acquire wealth for the same purpose, went to the far East. But he died in China,--murdered according to family tradition,--and on hearing the news, his widow sickened and died, leaving an only child to battle with the ancestral curse. For a curse there was, as dire as that which over-shadowed the House of Atreus, and the superstitious believed,--and with much reason,--that young Rupert as one of the Ainsleighs, had to bear the burden of the terrible anathema. Major Tidman knew all these things very well, but being modern and sceptical and grossly material, he discredited such occult influence. Expressing his scornful surprise, that Rupert should trouble his head about such fantasies, he delivered his opinion in the loud free dictatorial speech, which was characteristic of the bluff soldier. "Bunkum," said the Major sipping his wine with relish, "because an old monk driven to his last fortifications, curses those who burnt him, you believe that his jabber has an effect on the Ainsleighs." "They have been very unlucky since," said Rupert gloomily. "Not a bit of it--not a bit. The curse of Abbot Raoul, didn't begin to work,--if work it did, which I for one don't believe,--until many a long day after this place came to your family. I was born in this neighbourhood sixty and more years ago," added the Major, "and I know the history of your family. The Ainsleighs were lucky enough till Anne's reign." "Till the first George's reign," corrected the young man, "so far as money goes, that is. But not one of them died in his bed." "Plenty have died in their beds since." "But have lost all their money," retorted Rupert. "It's better to lose money than life," said Tidman evasively. "I'm not so certain of that Major. But you should talk with Mrs. Pettley about Abbot Raoul's curse. She believes in it." "And you Ainsleigh?" Rupert shrugged his shoulders. "We certainly seem to be most unlucky," said he, declining to commit himself to an opinion. "Want of brains," snapped the Major, who was one of those men who have a reason for everything, "your people wasted their money, and refused to soil their hands with trade. Such pig-headedness brings about misfortune, without the aid of a silly old fool's curse." "I don't think Abbot Raoul was a fool," protested the host mildly, "on the contrary, he is said to have been a learned and clever man. Aymas Ainsleigh, received the abbey from Henry VIII., and burnt Abbot Raoul in his own cloisters," he nodded towards the ruins, "you can see the blackened square of grass yonder, as a proof of the curse. Herbage will not grow there, and never will, till the curse be lifted." "Huh," said the Major with supreme contempt, "any chance of that?" Rupert smiled. "A chance that will never occur I fear. The curse, or prophecy, or whatever you like to call it----" "I call it rubbish," interpolated the sceptic. "Well doubting Thomas, it runs like this,--rude enough verse as you will see, but you can't expect a doomed man to be particular as to literary style," and Rupert recited slowly:-- "My curse from the tyrants will never depart, For a sword in the hands of the angel flashes: Till Ainsleigh, poor, weds the poor maid of his heart, And gold be brought forth from the holy ashes." "I spare you the ancient pronunciation Major." Tidman filled another glass with wine, and laughed scornfully. "I expect the old monk made up the second line to rhyme with ashes," he said expanding his broad chest. "I've heard that rubbishy poetry before. But haven't the Ainsleighs always married poor girls?" "Some did, but then they had money. It must be a poor Ainsleigh to wed a poor girl to fulfil the third line. My father and grandfather were both poor, but they married rich brides." "And what became of the cash?" "It went--I don't know how--but it went." "Gold turns to dry leaves in the hands of fools," said Tidman sagely, "there's some sense in the old fairy tales. But the fourth line? how can you get gold from ashes?" Young Ainsleigh rose and began to pace the terrace. "I'm sure I don't know," he said, "that's the curse. If I marry Miss Rayner, I certainly fulfil the third line. She is poor and I am a pauper. Perhaps when the enigma of the third line is solved by such a marriage the fourth line will be made clear." "I shouldn't hang on to that poetry if I were you, Ainsleigh. Let some