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.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account