"Humph! It seemed to me that Lo-Keong hinted he would pay the money to whomsoever brought him the packet. In that case Rodgers----" "Nonsense," said Olivia quickly, "I am quite sure that the Marquis means well to both of us. No doubt he will reward Rodgers largely, should he get the packet: but he will give you your father's money." "All the same I should like to hunt for the packet on my own account, Olivia," said Rupert obstinately. "Let those hunt, to whom the packet is of value." "But I don't believe that this advertisement will bring forth anything," argued Ainsleigh frowning "if Tung-yu has the packet, he certainly won't pass it along to Lo-Keong. If Burgh stole it, he will be afraid lest Hwei, who is in Lo-Keong's pay, should kill him. As to Tidman--" "You thought he was guilty," said Olivia smiling. "And I still have my doubts," rejoined her husband, "so I'll call at the Bristol and have a talk." This conversation took place the day after the Mandarin had departed and Rupert was worrying about the exciting chase for the packet, which he foresaw would take place. However, as Olivia insisted, he should not risk his life again with Asiatics, he interested himself still in the case by talking it over with Major Tidman. On arriving at the Bristol, he was shown up at once to Tidman's room, and found the Major spick and span as usual, but greatly excited. "I was just coming up to see you," said the Major, "look here?" and he handed Rupert the morning's copy of the _Daily Telegraph_. Ainsleigh looked at the place indicated by the Major, and saw the advertisement asking for the return of the fan, on delivery of which the sum of five thousand would be paid. "I see that the Marquis has lost no time," said Rupert throwing down the paper, "he and Rodgers must have inserted the advertisement at once." "Oh," said the Major staring, "so you know." "Yes. Lo-Keong and Rogers were with me yesterday." "Lo-Keong. Why that is the man who owns the fan?" "Exactly. He is a Marquis, and high in the service of the Empress Dowager of China. As to the fan--" Rupert rapidly detailed how it had been found in the cloisters and related also the subsequent discovery, that the box attached to the chain in the tree trunk, was empty. "And the man who took the fan from Miss Wharf's dead body stole the packet," said Rupert, "so it is not likely he will risk arrest by coming forward to give the papers to Lo-Keong." Tidman sat down astounded at these revelations. "I wish I had been present," said he, "I was always curious about the fan's secret. A very ingenious device, Ainsleigh." "Very," assented Rupert dryly: then he cast a side-long look on the Major, and spoke to the point. "You had nothing to do with the stealing of the fan I hope, Major." "I," cried Tidman bouncing from his seat like an india rubber ball.