Chinese -- England -- Fiction; Detective and mystery stories; Murder -- Investigation -- Fiction
"I am glad to tell Mr. Ainsleigh," said the lawyer, "that the Marquis
has handed me securities which show that the sum of one hundred thousand
pounds is invested in your name. We can transfer the securities to
English investments if you like but--"
"I'll leave them in Chinese," said Rupert quickly.
Lo-Keong bowed in a gratified manner. "You will be wise," he said, "they
are safe investments and all my interest at the Imperial court, will go
to make you richer, if I can."
"You have done enough, Marquis," said Ainsleigh gratefully, "you have
given me back my old home."
"And we will be rich besides," said Olivia delightedly.
"There's another thing," said Mr. Asher, looking at the girl, "Miss
Pewsey made a will in your favour, Mrs. Ainsleigh."
Olivia drew back with a red face. "Impossible! She hated me."
"Well," said Asher dryly, "I expect she repented of her evil deeds, or
perhaps she hated her nephew more than she did you. That gentleman wrote
from a Continental address to Mr. Paster asking if his aunt had left him
the money as she promised. I expect the address is a false one, as Mr.
Burgh won't wish to be caught."
"He is a bold man that," said Lo-Keong.
"He is," assented Asher, "but he won't benefit. Mrs. Ainsleigh gets the
five hundred a year, the freehold of Ivy Lodge, and also the mortgage
which Miss Wharf bought to ruin Mr. Ainsleigh."
"We have everything--everything," cried Olivia.
"I am very thankful," said Rupert. "Mr. Asher--"
"I'll see you about the investments when you are stronger," said the
lawyer, "meanwhile here is the carriage at the door. The Marquis is kind
enough to give me a lift," and Mr. Asher took his leave, with a profound
bow, to so opulent a client as Rupert.
The Marquis Lo-Keong came forward with his kind smile. "Before I wish
you good-bye and all happiness," he said, holding out the famous fan,
"will you take this?"
"No," said Olivia, preventing Rupert from accepting it, "I hate the very
sight of the thing. It has blood on it."
"I think you are right, Mrs. Ainsleigh," said the Chinaman gravely,
"and, as it has done its duty, it may as well go the way of the packet
which now is ashes," and advancing to the fire, he flung the fan on the
burning coals. It burst into a blaze, and in a few minutes all had
vanished save the slivers of jade and the beads. The housemaid collected
these next morning and gave them to Olivia, who threw them off the
Marport pier. So that was the end of the Mandarin's fan.
"And now," said Lo-Keong, bowing, "good-bye, and great happiness to you
both."
Rupert and Olivia shook hands warmly, and thanked him heartily. The
Mandarin walked out of the room in his stately way, and they went to the
window to see him drive off. At the bend of the avenue, he waved his
hand graciously, and that was the last the master and mistress of
Royabay saw of the man who had owned the fan.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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