CHAPTER IX

THE END OF THE BALL

Miss Wharf looked at her excited little friend with an indulgent smile.

"Really I don't see why you should trouble," she said with a smile. "Let

the Major do what he likes."

"He's up to some mischief," persisted the old maid, "and I'd like to

find out what it is. He is supposed to be keeping his room, because of a

cold, and I find he is not in. People with colds," added the lady,

impressively, "do not go into the night air."

"How do you know Major Tidman has?"

"Because he would be at the ball, were he in the hotel. I shall ask

Clarence to see what he is doing."

"Why?" asked Miss Wharf, puzzled.

"Because--oh, just because," replied Miss Pewsey, tossing her head in a

sharp way, like the Red Queen in Alice's Adventures. "But the fan,

dearest Sophia?--Can't I take charge of it?"

Miss Wharf grasped the fan tighter. "No, certainly not. It is worth five

thousand pounds."

"And perhaps more," said Miss Pewsey. "Remember, dearest Sophia, that is

the sum offered, but you might ask more. It is very important that this

Mandarin should get the fan back. Dr. Forge told me."

"Why is it important?"

"Theophilus didn't tell me that, but he said that this Mandarin--I quite

forget his queer name--would give even more than five thousand to get it

back."

"His emissary didn't seem very anxious to buy."

"Oh, that is craft," rejoined Miss Pewsey, tossing her head. "The

Chinese are very double, Theophilus says."

"I don't think so, Lavinia. I would have sold this fan for a few pounds

had I not known such a large sum was offered. Tung-yu is not a good

business man, or else the Mandarin must be a millionaire."

"He is--he is. I wish you would let me conduct the business, and _do_

let me take the fan?"

"No, I shall keep it."

"Sophia," said Miss Pewsey, solemnly, "that is dangerous. Rupert

Ainsleigh hates you and needs money; he might kill you to get that fan,

and sell it for five----"

"Nonsense. I cannot be murdered in a house full of people like this. I

know another Chinaman hints at murder--you told me so----"

"Olivia told me to tell you," put in the little woman, quickly.

"Well, Hwei isn't here, and I'll sell the fan to Tung-yu to-morrow."

Miss Pewsey would have said more, but at this moment Dr. Forge

approached, with a crooked elbow and a dreary smile. "Allow me to take

you into supper, Miss Wharf."

"Certainly," she rose and took the arm. "I am really hungry. Lavinia?"

"I shall look for Clarence. I must find out what has become of Major

Tidman," and the old maid hurried away while the doctor escorted Miss

Wharf to the supper-room.

Clarence was not drinking at the buffet, though his aunt went there to

find him as the most likely place. Nor was he in the ball-room, although

a new dance had begun. She could not see him in the card-room, but

finally ran him to earth on the terrace, where he was leaning against a

tree-fern with folded arms and with his wicked black eyes fixed on a

couple some distance away. Miss Pewsey followed his gaze and her eyes

also flashed, for she beheld Rupert talking with Olivia. Both their

heads were bent, and they conversed earnestly. The little woman hated

Olivia and detested Rupert, so the sight was gall and worm-wood to her.

"Why don't you ask her to dance?" she demanded, touching her nephew's

arm.

"Because there would only be a row," he rejoined sullenly. "I feel

inclined to spoil that chap's looks I can tell you."

"Do you really love the girl, so?"

"Yes I do. I'd give anything to marry her, and I shall too."

"There's not the slightest chance. Ainsleigh will not surrender her I

can tell you."

"Then why did you make me waste that fan."

"You didn't waste it on her," said Miss Pewsey coldly, "she refused to

take it like a fool, and now Sophia has it, there is no chance of

getting it back. Had I known the fan was of such value, you wouldn't

have caught me advising you to part with it. If you knew what this Hwei

said, why didn't you tell me the fan was valuable."

"I did not see Hwei until I had parted with the fan," said Clarence

crossly, "and we can do nothing now."

"You are not so bold as Major Tidman," she whispered.

"What's that?" asked the buccaneer sharply.

"He's not in his room," rejoined Miss Pewsey in a low voice, "he

pretends illness, to carry out his plan to get the fan."

"How do you know that?"

"Because Tung-yu is in the hotel. The Major will try and get the fan to

sell it to him."

"In that case he would have come to the ball and have seen Miss Wharf to

get it from her."

"No. He has some other plan. What it is I don't know. But I wish you

would look round for him, Clarence, and watch him."

"Bah! It's all stuff." Burgh turned to look at the sea and the pier and

the luminous night. "I'm getting sick of this business," he went on

discontentedly, "and but for the chance of gaining Olivia, I would bunk

out on the long trail. There's a barky out there," he continued pointing

to the right of the pier, "yonder--the one with the green light. I saw

her anchor early in the afternoon--a kind of gentleman's yacht I fancy.

She'd just do for me. I'd like to take a boat and pull out to her and

then get up steam for the South Seas. There's a clear path leads there,

down channel," and he stared at the flickering green light which winked

amongst many red ones.

"You'll never get Olivia," said Miss Pewsey, in a sharp tense voice,

"and you can go away as soon as you like. Meantime, look for Major

Tidman and tell him I want him."

Clarence lazily stretched himself, and moved off along the balcony. At

the end there was a flight of shallow steps leading down to an iron gate

which was open. Thence one could pass to the Esplanade and the beach, if

so inclined. But the guests kept to the populous end of the balcony

where the lights clustered. Near the stairs, there were hardly any

lamps, and a screen of flowers curtained it off from the rest of the

hotel. Clarence passed through this floral arch, and Miss Pewsey lost

sight of him. Her eyes turned to the couple she hated, and she

carelessly moved near them. No one noted her as the balcony was not so

full, and she sat down behind a fern where she could hear without being

seen by the two, she was spying on. Their voices were low, but hate

sharpened Miss Pewsey's ears, and she listened intently.

"My aunt is much more amiable to-night," Olivia was saying, "I suppose

the chance of making five thousand pounds has appealed to her."

"She gave me the chance of making it, provided I gave you up," said

Rupert, "and she lost her temper with me because I declined."

"Will you never be friends with her?"

"I fear not, while Miss Pewsey is in the way," said Rupert. "Olivia, it

is that woman who makes all the mischief."

"I think it is," replied the girl with a weary smile, "but she seems to

have a kind of hypnotic power over my aunt--"

"What do you mean?"

"Aunt Sophia has bad headaches and Miss Pewsey sometimes hypnotises her

to send away the pain."

"Miss Wharf is foolish to allow her to do such a thing. That little

woman is no more to be trusted than her scamp of a nephew is."

"Well it doesn't matter," said Olivia, feeling in her pocket. "I want to

talk about ourselves. See Rupert you wanted a silk tie the other day. I

have knitted you one--red and yellow."

Rupert took the tie and admired it in the lamp light. He would have

kissed Olivia's hand after a few words of warm thanks, but she prevented

him.

"Someone might see and tell Aunt Sophia," she said hurriedly, "I should

have given it to you the other day when I called at the Abbey, but I

forgot, so I decided to give it to you to-night. It's rather awkward

your having it now. Give it to me again."

"No! I'll put it in my overcoat in the cloak room," said Rupert, rising,

"but I must take you back to Miss Wharf, or she will be angry."

"I wish this deception was at an end and I could be with you

altogether," said Olivia rising with a sigh.

It was at this moment that Miss Pewsey chose to come forward. She was

furious at the way in which the couple spoke of her, but long habit

enabled her to smooth her face to a treacherous smile.

"Oh dear Olivia," she said. "I have been looking for you everywhere."

"Does my aunt want me?" asked the girl calmly.

"No. She is in the supper-room with Mr. Forge. But Mr. Walker--"

"I don't want him," said Miss Rayner quickly, and with a change of

voice.

"Yes--yes," said Rupert in a low voice. "Go with her, and dance with

Walker; it will prevent Miss Wharf being cross."

"Very well," rejoined Olivia quietly: then turned to Miss Pewsey who

smiled like a grotesque image. "Let us go to the ball-room."

"Won't Mr. Ainsleigh escort us?" asked the old maid, blandly. Rupert

bowed, and smothering his feelings, which always revolted at the sight

of the woman, he walked beside the two to the ball-room. Miss Pewsey

took Olivia's arm and chattered effusively all the time. At the door

they met Chris Walker, who hurried up at once and asked for a dance.

Leaving the two ladies with him, Rupert went towards the cloak room.

Here to his surprise he saw Major Tidman clothed in a heavy fur coat,

talking to Tung-yu. Tidman looked white and uneasy, but the Chinaman

still preserved his impassive face. Rupert took no notice but simply

nodded to the Major as he passed, pulling out the yellow and red tie as

he did so. Tidman changed colour, apparently not pleased at being found

talking to Tung-yu, and laughed uneasily. "That's a bright piece of

goods Ainsleigh."

"It's a present," said Rupert thrusting the tie into the pocket of his

over coat. "I should think it would match your friend's dress."

"Hush," said Tidman quietly, "he speaks English. He will hear," then he

added aloud. "Let me introduce you to Mr. Ainsleigh, Tung-yu."

The Chinaman turned and looked impassive enough. But his eyes had an

enquiring look in their black depths. "Tung-yu and I met in Canton,

where we had an adventure," said the Major, with a titter.

"About that famous fan?" asked Rupert smiling.

Tung-yu started and looked quickly at Tidman, who was again pale. "I

don't remember about the fan," said Tung-yu, "did our friend find it in

Canton?"

"No! No I never did," said Tidman hurriedly,--"that is Forge found the

fan--"

"And gave it to Miss Wharf. Quite so," replied Tung-yu blandly. "I see

her to-morrow about the matter," then he bowed to Rupert and moved away

slowly.

"I thought you had a bad cold," said Rupert to Tidman, who was looking

after the Chinaman with a scared expression.

"Yes--yes--but that is better now," said the Major hurriedly, "so Miss

Wharf is here, and has the fan?"

"Yes, she offered to give it to me if I surrendered Olivia."

"Refuse--refuse," cried Tidman hurriedly: he approached his lips to

Ainsleigh's ears. "There is death in the air to-night."

"Tidman," cried Ainsleigh starting away and staring.

"Yes--yes--say nothing. I wish you hadn't mentioned about my having the

fan. Tung-yu never knew--but it can't be helped. Ainsleigh, is there

another Chinaman here to-night?"

"I have seen none. Do you expect Hwei? If so we had better warn Miss

Wharf. She has the fan and--"

"No! No--say nothing. Don't touch the accursed thing."

"How do you know it is accursed?"

"I knew in Canton, and in a very unpleasant way. But I'll tell you my

adventure to-morrow--yes I will--if nothing happens to-night."

Rupert stared still harder. "What can happen to-night man alive?"

"Nothing--nothing," said the Major hurriedly. "I'll get back to my

room--you needn't say you have seen me. I--"

"Just the man I want," cried a bold free voice, and Burgh's slim hand

fell on the Major's shoulder. "Miss Pewsey asks for you."

"For me. Any more trouble?"

"I guess not. She wants to fuss round about your cold. Heaping coals of

fire's the English of it."

"Let her leave me alone," said the Major petulantly. "I'm quite

well. I am going back to my room," and with a nod to Rupert, he marched

out.

Burgh looked after him with a smile and a shrug: then he turned to

Rupert who was moving towards the door. "Can I speak with you?" he asked

with a frown.

"Not here Mr. Burgh," cried Ainsleigh, "this is not the place for a

quarrel."

"And why not," cried the other, advancing with clenched fists, "I--"

"Keep your distance," said Ainsleigh sharply starting back on his guard,

"the attendant is looking on," and he pointed to the man behind the

counter who attended to the hats and cloaks.

Burgh tossed him a shilling, "Go and get a drink," he ordered.

"Stop where you are," commanded Rupert, "or I'll report you."

But the man, who was a dissipated-looking waiter pretended not to hear

this last remark, and disappeared from behind the counter. The two men

were alone, and Burgh spoke first. "I guess I'm going to lay you out,"

said he, "on account of--"

"Stop," said Rupert, "mention no names."

"I'll mention what I like and Olivia--"

Ainsleigh let drive before he could finish the word and in a second

Burgh was sprawling on the floor. He rose with an oath and slipped round

his right hand. "You draw a revolver and I'll break your neck," panted

Rupert, "you bully, what do you mean by--"

Burgh drew his hand away--perhaps he was afraid a shot would bring in

others to see the fray. But he dashed again at the young man. A short

struggle ensued, which ended in Burgh being thrown again. Then Rupert,

disinclined for a vulgar row, walked away. He stopped at the door to

give his antagonist a bit of advice. "You touch me again," he said, "and

I'll hand you over to the police after giving you a good thrashing. It's

what a bully like you deserves. And if you dare to speak to Miss Rayner

I'll make Marport too hot to hold you." When Rupert vanished, Burgh

raised himself slowly and with an evil smile. "Perhaps the place will be

too hot for you my fine gentleman," he said savagely, and began to

think.

Meanwhile Rupert went to the ball-room and saw that Olivia was dancing

with Dr. Forge. Chris Walker told him that Miss Wharf had gone on to the

balcony for the fresh air. Miss Pewsey was not to be seen or Rupert

would have told her to look after her disreputable relative in the

cloak-room. The young man thought he would go up to the Major's room and

have a smoke, when he felt a light touch on his shoulder. There stood

Tung-yu.

"Excuse me sir," said the Chinaman in his excellent English, "I am your

friend. Major Tidman and Dr. Forge are your enemies, and you have a

third enemy in that young man Burgh."

"But how do you know--" began Rupert.

Tung-yu bent forward and whispered. "I know how your father died," he

said softly and before Rupert could detain him, he vanished.

But Ainsleigh waited but for a moment. The speech was so surprising,

that he determined to learn more. At once he ran after the Chinaman but

could not see him. In spite of his noticeable clothes, he was swallowed

up in the crowd and Rupert plunged into the gay throng determined to

find the man who could solve the mystery of Markham Ainsleigh's death.

The night wore on and the fun became fast and furious. Towards twelve

the guests began to depart, but many choice spirits declared they would

keep the ball rolling till dawn. One of these was Chris Walker, who had

imbibed more champagne than was good for him. While he talked excitedly

Miss Pewsey came to him hastily. "Where is my dear Sophia?" she asked,

"I can't find her, and with her delicate health it is time she was home

in bed."

"I have not seen her. Have you, Dr. Forge?"

The lean doctor shook his head, "I have been in the card room for the

last hour," he said, "and as Miss Wharf's doctor I assuredly say, she

should go home, there's midnight," and as he spoke the strokes boomed

from a tall clock in the hall.

"Clarence, have you seen her?" asked Miss Pewsey of the buccaneer who

had Olivia on his arm.

"No! I've just been waltzing with Miss Rayner."

"Then you Mr. Ainsleigh?"

"I have been smoking on the balcony," said Rupert, who looked tired.

"Oh, dear me," said Miss Pewsey wringing her hands, "I wonder if dear

Sophia has gone to see Major Tidman. She is so kind-hearted and he is

ill--at least he says he is. Did he tell you Clarence?"

"I saw him only for a minute and he went back to his room I guess."

"Then Sophia must have gone there," cried Miss Pewsey and hurried away.

Olivia followed with Forge as she thought also, that her aunt ought to

go home, and Clarence's attentions were becoming so embarrassing that

she feared there would be trouble with Rupert. But soon, Miss Pewsey

appeared again and said that Miss Wharf was not in the Major's room, nor

was the Major there. Taking Olivia and Clarence and Forge, she went to

search for the missing lady. Rupert lingered behind as he did not wish

to come into contact with the buccaneer.

The hunt proceeded for some time, and every room in the hotel was

searched. But Miss Wharf could not be found. Finally everyone--for many

of the guests were hunting by this time--, went out on the balcony. Miss

Wharf was not there. "Oh, dear me," cried Miss Pewsey, "wherever can she

be."

The balcony was searched from end to end. Then one of the guests more

venturesome, descended the steps. He gave a cry of horror. "Bring a

light," he cried.

Lights were brought and everyone rushed after them. Half way down the

steps lay Miss Wharf--dead--strangled, and round her throat tightly bound

was a yellow and red silk tie.