The Mandarin's Fan
the tie was in the overcoat pocket. No doubt he took it out and used it
to incriminate you. Then again, Burgh learned from Tung-yu how the
picture could be rendered visible--"
"True enough," mused Rupert, "well, he might be guilty. And he certainly
was in the cloisters one day--"
"So as to examine the place," said the Major. "And afterwards, he came
at night in the monk's disguise, knowing about the ghost and the legend.
He was startled when he secured the packet and left the fan by accident
on the black square."
"Or by design" said Ainsleigh, "remembering the prophecy which says that
'gold will come from the holy ashes.' If I get this one hundred thousand
pounds the prophecy will certainly be fulfilled, in a sort of way. It
was indirectly owing to the fan that Lo-Keong told me of the money my
father made in China, and through the fan, when the packet is restored,
he intends to give the money to me."
"Oh humbug," said the Major contemptuously "I don't believe in that
foolish rhyme a bit. But are you of my opinion that Burgh is guilty?"
"Yes--in the way you put it, it seems probable."
"Well then," said Tidman angrily and striking the table with his
fist. "I have had enough of being suspected, so I'll help you to hunt
down the assassin. I _must_ know who killed Miss Wharf, or else you will
be accusing me again. See here," and he threw a paper on the table.
It was a square of yellow paper, strongly perfumed, which asked the
Major to bring the fan to the den in Penter's Alley. "You showed me this
before," said Rupert. "I went up on your behalf."
"Look at the date," said Tidman pointing, "it's a new invitation. I
think Tung-yu--who writes the letter--believes I killed the woman and
have the fan after all. Well, last time, you went on my behalf, this
time, danger or no danger I'll go myself. You can come if you like."
"I shall certainly come," said Rupert jumping up, "Olivia does not want
me to proceed further in this matter, but, now that you are going, I'll
go too. Tung-yu can't know that the fan is in my hands, or that the
packet is missing."
"He's not so clever as I thought he was," said Tidman coolly, "or he
wouldn't have bungled this affair as he has done. I am not afraid of
him, now. But you see that the appointment is for to-morrow night at
nine o'clock."
"At Penter's Alley under the lantern. Exactly--the same place. But as
Rodgers knows of my adventure, I wonder Tung-yu risks another meeting.
Besides, Rodgers told me he had been to the den and found both Chinamen
gone."
"Oh, thunderbolts never strike in the same spot twice," said Tidman, "it
is the safest place. Rodgers, having gone once, will not go again. Well,
will you come?"
"Yes," said Rupert, firmly and went back to the Abbey, to persuade his
wife to let him make one more attempt to solve the mystery.
Olivia was obdurate at first, but after a time, she yielded, though she
assured Rupert she should be miserable all the time he was away. "And
_do_ take care of yourself," she said.
"Of course I'll take every care," replied her husband; and so it was
arranged that Rupert should go up to town with Major Tidman by the six
o'clock train the next evening, and proceed to Penter's Alley, to see
Tung-yu, and learn--if possible, the truth.
Olivia's attention was somewhat taken off the projected expedition to
the wilds of Rotherhithe, by a visit from Lady Jabe. That eccentric
female, looking more like a judge than ever, and dressed in a most manly
fashion appeared, with a shining face, to announce that Chris was
engaged to marry Lotty Dean.
"It's most delightful," said Lady Jabe, "her father is merely a retired
grocer, but I have consented to over-look that, if he settles some money
on the young couple."
"And has he consented?" asked Olivia languidly. She did not take much
interest in the affairs of Mr. Walker.
"Yes. Mr. Dean has allowed his daughter a thousand a year, paid
quarterly," said Lady Jabe amiably, "and that, with what Chris earns at
the office, will keep us nicely."
"Us?" echoed Mrs. Ainsleigh smiling.
"Certainly," was Lady Jabe's calm reply, "I have been a mother to Chris,
and I intend to be a mother to Lotty. I shall look after the house, and
control the purse, otherwise, the young pair may get into the bankruptcy
court."
Olivia privately thought that under Lady Jabe's care the young couple,
would have a bad time, even though they might be free from bankruptcy.
"What does Mr. Walker say?"
"Oh Chris is delighted. He had better be. I'd like to see him cross me,
dear Olivia. I've broken his spirit thoroughly. Lotty certainly is a
trifle difficult, but I'll break her also by degrees."
"I think you should leave Mr. and Mrs. Walker to manage their own
affairs," said Olivia indignantly.
"Oh dear me no," replied Lady Jabe calmly, "that would never do. A
couple of babies, my dear Olivia, who need a firm hand. I'll look after
them and receive a small sum for doing so. My late husband did not leave
me well off," she went on confidentially, "so it is necessary that I
should do the best for myself. But now, that's all settled and I'm glad
you are pleased."
"Not with your proposed arrangement, Lady Jabe."
"Oh, yes you are, dear Olivia. Nothing could be better, whatever you may
say. And now to talk of other and less pleasing matters. Miss Pewsey who
robbed you of your inheritance, is about to leave Marport. Yes--you may
look surprised: but she is selling Ivy Lodge and intends to go to
America."
"In search of the doctor?" asked Mrs. Ainsleigh doubtfully.
"Quite so, I understand that Dr. Forge has gone there. But just think
what a brazen women Miss Pewsey must be, to follow a man who left
her--as you might say at the altar. Miss Pewsey is in London now making
arrangements to sail for New York--so she told me yesterday. I wish her
all joy," added Lady Jabe shaking her head, "but I fear the man will
spend her money and leave her."
When Lady Jabe went, Olivia thought over the projected departure of Miss
Pewsey on the trail of Dr. Forge. She was glad at heart, that her enemy
was leaving Marport, but could not help thinking that the bitter little
women was going out of her way to make trouble, for herself. And as
Forge was wanted, for participation in Markham Ainsleigh's murder,
Olivia though she would inform her husband of his whereabouts, so that
he might be brought back if necessary. But Rupert listened thoughtfully,
and then replied after consideration.
"I won't move in the matter," he said calmly, "Forge behaved like a
scoundrel, but as he has gone, I leave him in God's hands. He will get
his deserts yet, Olivia."
"Will you send him the ten thousand pounds, Rupert?"
"No," said the young man decisively. "I shall certainly not do that.
Forge deserves some punishment and shall have it, by being deprived of
the money he sinned to obtain. He did not kill my poor father, but he
certainly brought about his death indirectly. Leave him to God, Olivia.
As for ourselves, we will get our own money from Lo-Keong, and restore
the Abbey."
"And Miss Pewsey's mortgage?"
"It is due shortly before Christmas, and I shall be able to pay it off
before then. Miss Pewsey has done her worst, Olivia. Henceforth she will
be harmless."
"And what about her punishment, Rupert?"
"I should think the loss of Forge has punished her. And, if she really
intends to follow him, she will be more disappointed. The man will not
marry her. No, Olivia, Miss Pewsey also sinned to get money, but she
will be punished, you may be certain."
The next evening Rupert again assumed his old suit and heavy cloak and
went away. Olivia clung to him as he left the door. "Oh my darling be
careful," she said, "if you are killed--"
"I won't be," Rupert assured her. "I have taken the precaution to write
telling Rodgers of this meeting. He will bring, by my advice, a couple
of plaincloth policemen to Penter's Alley, and if there is trouble, both
the Major and I will be able to get away."
Comforted thus, Olivia kissed her husband, and saw him drive down the
avenue. Then she returned to her room to count the moments, until he
returned. All their troubles had brought Olivia and Rupert closer
together, and in their implicit trust in one another, lay the elements
of future happiness.
Ainsleigh found the Major also plainly dressed, waiting at the station,
and the two were speedily on their way to town. Owing to an accident to
the train, they were late in arriving at Liverpool Street station and
the Major fumed. "We won't be in time," he said when they went to the
underground railway.
"Oh, I think so," said Rupert calmly, "it's just as well, we should not
be too early. I want Rodgers and his men to be on the spot."
"But what do you think will come of all this?" asked Tidman, nervously.
"I think we will find the papers."
"But if Tung-yu had them, he would not have written to me."
"He is playing some sort of game. I can't understand, and I have given
up theorising. Let us wait."
The Major grumbled a little, but finally agreed that Ainsleigh was
right. They soon arrived at Rotherhithe, and stepped out into the main
street. The night was fine, and there was a bright moon. "I like this
better than when I was here last," said Rupert, as the two went down to
Penter's Alley.
"It's a good thing there's a moon," said the Major casting a glance
upward, "if these Chinamen try to bolt, we can chase them."
"Do you expect Hwei to be there also?"
"I can't say," said Tidman, "but if Tung-yu is, I suspect Hwei won't be
far off. They work in couples as you know."
"And pull against each other like ill-matched dogs," said Rupert, "a
queer compact, this."
"It's silly. I think the Mandarin must be mad with all this rubbish
about his gim-crack god Kwang-ho. Here we are--and there's the lantern.
What a narrow street."
They stepped down the Alley in the bright moonlight. The lantern flared
above the same house as Rupert had entered before, and at the door stood
a small figure. It was the Chinese boy dressed in red. "Ah," said Rupert
significantly, "Hwei is certainly here, as well as Tung-yu. We'll have
trouble."
"If Hwei tries to kill me, I'll shoot," said the Major, and produced a
neat revolver. "I've held my life in my hands before now."
Rupert was about to speak to the boy who stood silently before the
closed door, when he heard a long agonised scream within the house. The
boy smiled in a cruel manner, and Rupert tried to dash past. But the boy
prevented him. Tidman, however, was more fortunate and flung himself
against the door. Evidently, a tragedy was taking place inside. As the
Major ran forward, the door opened suddenly and Burgh dashed out and
down the street, towards the river. After him came Tung-yu, his face
alive with fury. Tidman gave a shout, and made after the two, but
Rupert, wondering who was being killed, sprang down the passage and
entered the room, where formerly he had met with the adventure. A tall
Chinaman was standing in the middle of the floor wiping a knife on his
blouse. He turned, and Rupert beheld Hwei. The Chinaman pointed to the
floor with a ghastly smile. "The doom of the god Kwang-ho," said he, and
ran out of the house swiftly.
Rupert cast his eyes on a body lying on the floor. It was that of a
woman and from her breast a stream of blood was flowing. She was not yet
dead, but looked up with a pain-drawn face. Ainsleigh drew back with an
exclamation. It was Miss Pewsey.
CHAPTER XXIII
THE CHASE
Rupert stared at the wounded woman amazed. How came Miss Pewsey into
this den? He was so astonished, that he forgot to call for assistance.
Miss Pewsey gave a moan and opened her eyes. At once she recognised
Ainsleigh, for the light from the tasselled lantern overhead, fell full