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.