Chinese -- England -- Fiction; Detective and mystery stories; Murder -- Investigation -- Fiction
Burgh evidently stored this in his memory and looked keenly at
the woman whose bosom rose and fell and whose colour came and
went under his steady gaze. Miss Pewsey saw that the persistent
look was annoying her patroness, and touched her nephew's arm
gently. The touch recalled Burgh to his senses and he looked
away. This time his eyes rested on Olivia. Her colour was high
and apparently she had been listening with interest to the
conversation. "Huh," thought the swashbuckler, "and it was about
young Ainsleigh," and he stored this in his memory also.
To make a sensation, which he dearly loved to do, Chris Walker
announced that he would bring a distinguished visitor to the
ball of the Glorious Golfers. "He's a Chinaman," said he
pompously, "and was mixed up in the Boxer rebellion."
None of the ladies seemed impressed, as none of them knew
anything about the Boxers, or their rebellion. But Burgh looked
up. "Who is he anyhow?" he demanded, compressing his lips.
"A Chinese gentleman called Tung-yu."
"What a very extraordinary name," said Miss Pewsey, and suddenly began
to take a deep interest in matters Chinese. While she chatted with
Chris who was willing to afford her all information. Burgh folded his
arms and leaned back apparently thinking deeply. His face was not
pleasant to behold. Olivia saw the evil look and shivered. Then she
rose and was about to steal from the room, when her aunt called to
her sharply. "Don't go Olivia I want to speak with you."
"And I want to take my usual walk," said Lady Jabe rising and
settling her collar, "Chris?"
A tap on the shoulder brought the slim young man to his feet,
and giving his arm to his masculine aunt the two departed. Burgh
rose also. "I guess I'll make tracks also?" he said smartly.
"Walker, you and I can have a yarn together, later."
Miss Pewsey followed her nephew to the door.
"Do you wish to ask young Mr. Walker more about Tung-yu?" she
asked.
Clarence wheeled round quickly. "What do you know of him aunt?"
"It's such a strange name," simpered Miss Pewsey, looking very
innocent, "and I am interested in China. You were out there a
long time Clarence."
"Amongst other places, yes. I hung round a bit."
"Then you must tell me all about the natives," said Miss Pewsey,
"I want to know of their robes and their fans and--"
"Fans," said Burgh starting: but Miss Pewsey with an artificial
laugh flitted back into the room, leaving him uneasy and
non-plussed. He walked away frowning darkly.
Olivia would have walked away also frowning, as she was
indignant at the way in which her aunt had spoken of Rupert. But
Miss Wharf gave her no chance of leaving the room or the house.
Olivia had never seen her aunt so pale or upset. She looked as
white as chalk, and controlled her emotion with difficulty.
Lavinia Pewsey glanced at the two, guessed there was about to be
a row, and glided away. She always kept out of trouble.
"Now," said Miss Wharf when they were alone, "I want an
explanation."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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