Clarence Burgh had left Marport and was now amusing himself in London. Sometimes he came down to see his aunt, who was getting ready for her bridal and still lived in Ivy Lodge. There, Forge intended to remove when married, as the house was rent free, and already he had given notice to Tidman as the Major told Rupert one evening. "And I'm glad he's going," said the Major, as he sat with his usual bottle of port before the fire, after dinner, "I couldn't stand seeing, that Pewsey cat in my house as Mrs. Doctor Forge." "I wonder why he marries her?" said Rupert who was smoking on the other side of the fire place. "Because he is frightened of her, sir. That woman for some reason makes everyone frightened of her--except me," added the Major swelling, "why even that young Burgh hardly comes to see her, though he's down here now--waiting for the wedding I suppose. It comes off next week and a nice fright that Pewsey cat will look as a bride." Rupert laughed. Olivia had left the room and retired to bed. The Major, who had been fidgeting all the evening, looked round when alone with his host. "I want to talk to you," he said. "What about? Haven't you been talking all the evening." "Not on the subject nearest to my heart," said Tidman sipping his port. "I waited till Mrs. Ainsleigh went away, as I don't want to revive unpleasant memories." "Oh," said Rupert with a shudder, "surely you are not going to talk of the murder." "No--certainly not: but I am of the thing that caused it." Rupert sat up quickly. "The fan. Why that's in China. Tung-yu took it, after he--" "Tung-yu did _not_ take it," said the Major producing a letter. "I thought he did, if you remember, for you and I saw him on the beach on that night." "Yes. He was talking to a boatman." "Arranging for his flight," said Tidman grimly, "and then he went back, as I thought, and murdered that woman. But he didn't," the Major paused to give full dramatic effect. "He thinks I did it." "Oh, rubbish," said Rupert. "If you can prove an alibi on my behalf, I can prove one on yours. We walked and talked on the beach, till nearly twelve. Then you went back to your bed, and I returned to the ball-room. Immediately afterwards the body was found. What makes Tung-yu accuse you, and why do you get a letter from China?" "It's not from China, but from London." "Is Tung-yu there?" asked Ainsleigh, quickly. "Yes. In some place in Rotherhithe. He writes from there, in this letter. Read it," and he passed it to his host. Rupert glanced over the few lines which were very neatly written on yellow paper. The letter was to the effect that if Major Tidman would bring the fan to a certain place in Rotherhithe, he would receive the money. "Humph," said Ainsleigh, handing it back, "so it seems that Tung-yu has not got the fan." "Yes, confound him, and he thinks _I_ have it, in which case he must believe that I murdered Miss Wharf." Rupert nodded. "It looks like it," said he, "what will you do?"