Burgh took a deep draught of the brandy, which put new life into his veins. He actually grinned when he took the flask from his lips. "I reckon that's not my end," said he. "I never killed the old girl. No sir--not such a flat." "Then who did kill her?" "Find out," was the ungracious response. "See here, Burgh," said Rupert, swinging himself on to a pile of the wharf. "I mean to get to the bottom of this business, once and for all. The papers shall be given to the Marquis and then, I hope, we shall hear the last of this fan business. But I must know who killed--" "There--there," said Burgh with a shrug, and after another drink, "I cave in: you've got the bulge on me. But I guess, if you want to keep those papers, you'd best clear out, Tung-yu will be along soon looking for them. I leaped into a boat and pushed out, but that Chinese devil swam after, and when I got into trouble with the oars, he climbed on board with a long knife. I jumped over-board and made for the bank, where you raced me down. But I guess Tung-yu will bring that craft of his ashore, and he's hunting for me like a dog as he is." "Rodgers, and Hwei, and Lo-Keong, and a lot of policemen are hunting for Tung-yu," said Rupert coolly, "so you need give yourself no further trouble. Tell me why you killed Miss Wharf?" "I didn't, confound you," growled Burgh. "Then you know who did?" "Yes--it was Forge." "That's a lie. Forge wrote to my wife, and denied that you gave him the tie." "Then Tidman killed the old girl." "No. He was with me on the beach. Come now, you shan't get off in this way. Tell me who is guilty?" "If I do, will you let me go?" "I make no bargains. Out with it." Burgh looked black, but being tired out and at the mercy of Rupert's revolver, he growled sulkily, "It was Aunt Lavinia." "Miss Pewsey--that frail little woman--impossible." "Frail," echoed the buccaneer with scorn, "she's as tough as hickory and as wicked a little devil as ever breathed. Why, she learned about the fan from Forge when he was delirious, and gave away the show to Lo-Keong in China--" "I know that. And she wished Olivia to have the fan, that she might be killed." "That's so, you bet. But old Wharf got it, and so, was killed." "But not by Tung-yu, or Hwei." "No." Burgh took a final drink, and having emptied the flask, flung it into the river. Then he took out a cigarette, which was dry enough to light. When smoking, he began to laugh. "Well this is a rum show," said he. "I guess you've got all the fun. I'm sold proper." "Tell me your story," said Rupert imperatively, "I want to get back to Penter's Alley to see your aunt." "Oh, I guess she's a goner by this time," said Burgh easily, "Tung-yu knifed her." "You mean Hwei. I found him wiping the knife."