"Then I guess you're wrong and the god also," said Clarence, "old Miss Wharf got the fan squarely enough from me." "She had it wrongfully," said Hwei obstinately "else she would not have been slain." "Who slew her?" asked Rupert seeing the uselessness of argument. "Major Tidman." "No. I tell you he was on the beach. Tung-yu killed her." Hwei shook his head, "Tung-yu dare not," said he, "the god would slay him if he disobeyed." "The god didn't slay him when he played low down on you in keeping Miss Wharf back from your knife," said Clarence. "Tung-yu has done penance. He has made amends. He wrote to Major Tidman telling him to come here on my night, so that he might meet with his doom." "But he hasn't come." "He is afraid." "No," said Rupert decisively, "the Major has not the fan. Who has, I know no more than I do who killed Miss Wharf." Hwei wavered, and his keen face grew troubled. The persistence of Rupert was having its effect. "Are you sure?" "Quite sure," said Ainsleigh promptly. "Will you swear this before the god Kwang-ho." "Certainly--but remember I am a Christian." Hwei went to the shrine and brought forth a joss stick. "The god Kwang-ho is all powerful," said he solemnly, "if you lie, he will not spare you. Burn this joss before him and swear." "No," said Rupert drawing back. "I am a Christian." Hwei's eye flashed with fury. "You are lying," said he, "you will never leave this place alive." "Oh I guess so," said Clarence easily, "neither I nor Ainsleigh has the fan, and you can't kill either of us unless the god grows angry. You've got to climb down before him." "That is true," said Hwei dropping the joss-stick, and sat in his chair with a puzzled face. He then pointed to the clock, the long hand of which was drawing to twelve. "When that strikes, my hour is over," he said, "but I may kill you before then." "You've got ten minutes to do it in," said Burgh cheerfully, "and Ainsleigh and I intend to fight for it. You'll be hanged too." "No," said Hwei. "I'll be on my way to China with the fan. I have a boat waiting near, to take me to a special steamer. I intended to kill Major Tidman, take the fan and go. Then all the police in the country would not have caught me." "And your nice little plan has been defeated by the Major not coming up," said Rupert calmly, "just as well he didn't. And I have not got the fan." "Who has--who has," said Hwei biting his nails, and evidently quite at a loss. "I made sure--" he looked at Clarence. "Oh it wasn't me," said that gentleman promptly, "but I may know who killed the old woman and has the fan."