"I daresay if the Marquis had not come to England, Forge would have silenced Clarence and fought the matter out. But he knew that the truth about my father's death would be told by the Marquis, and also dreaded, lest he should be accused of Miss Wharf's murder. He says that Clarence never gave him the tie as he says he did, and declares that he was in the card-room all the evening." "How does he end the letter?" asked Rodgers. Rupert read the last words. "So I write you this, Mrs. Ainsleigh, to show you that I am innocent of the death of your aunt. I see that the game is up and that I'll never get the ten thousand from Lo-Keong. Also, if I remain, I shall have to marry Miss Pewsey and cannot bear the idea. When you get this I'll be far away on the sea on a voyage to a land I need not particularise." "Not China, I hope," said the Marquis, "if he comes there again, I shall have to kill him. He deserves to be punished for having brought about the death of my friend Markham Ainsleigh. What is to be done now, gentlemen? We are no further on than before." "We certainly don't know who had the fan," said Rodgers. "Or who has the packet," put in Olivia. "Tung-yu has it I am sure," said Lo-Keong. "I don't agree with you, Marquis," said the detective. "Tung-yu and Hwei certainly cleared back to Rotherhithe by that yacht, but if the fan had been on board Hwei would have spotted it." "Tung-yu is very cunning," said the Marquis doubtfully. "Well," said Rupert, folding Forge's letter up, "I suggest that the Marquis should offer a large reward for the fan with his own name appended. Then whosoever has the packet will bring it. For of course," added Rupert shrewdly, "those who had the fan--if more than one--will have the packet." "Tung-yu--Tung-yu," said the Marquis shaking his head, "however, I will try the advertisement, and appoint a place. I am willing to give a large sum for the packet." "And I am prepared to arrest the person who brings the packet as the murderer of Miss Wharf," said Rodgers, "you leave the thing to me Marquis." "Come with me to London my friend," said Lo-Keong, "and we will write the advertisement. I shall reward you largely, if you get this packet back again." "And what will you do, Rupert?" asked Olivia eagerly. Her husband looked up. "I shall hunt for the packet on my own account." "Good," said Lo-Keong in his stately manner, "we will see who is fortunate enough to bring me the packet and earn," he looked at Rupert impressively, "one hundred thousand pounds." CHAPTER XXII After-Events Rodgers went to London with the Marquis Lo-Keong that very day, and Rupert wanted to go also. But Olivia objected to this, she feared lest her husband should be wounded again. "I don't wish to lose you darling," said Mrs. Ainsleigh coaxingly. "But the money," said Rupert dubiously. "You mean the hundred thousand pounds," said Olivia "That will be paid to you by the Marquis. It is rightfully your own."