"No," said the young man decisively. "I shall certainly not do that.
Forge deserves some punishment and shall have it, by being deprived of
the money he sinned to obtain. He did not kill my poor father, but he
certainly brought about his death indirectly. Leave him to God, Olivia.
As for ourselves, we will get our own money from Lo-Keong, and restore
the Abbey."
"And Miss Pewsey's mortgage?"
"It is due shortly before Christmas, and I shall be able to pay it off
before then. Miss Pewsey has done her worst, Olivia. Henceforth she will
be harmless."
"And what about her punishment, Rupert?"
"I should think the loss of Forge has punished her. And, if she really
intends to follow him, she will be more disappointed. The man will not
marry her. No, Olivia, Miss Pewsey also sinned to get money, but she
will be punished, you may be certain."
The next evening Rupert again assumed his old suit and heavy cloak and
went away. Olivia clung to him as he left the door. "Oh my darling be
careful," she said, "if you are killed--"
"I won't be," Rupert assured her. "I have taken the precaution to write
telling Rodgers of this meeting. He will bring, by my advice, a couple
of plaincloth policemen to Penter's Alley, and if there is trouble, both
the Major and I will be able to get away."
Comforted thus, Olivia kissed her husband, and saw him drive down the
avenue. Then she returned to her room to count the moments, until he
returned. All their troubles had brought Olivia and Rupert closer
together, and in their implicit trust in one another, lay the elements
of future happiness.
Ainsleigh found the Major also plainly dressed, waiting at the station,
and the two were speedily on their way to town. Owing to an accident to
the train, they were late in arriving at Liverpool Street station and
the Major fumed. "We won't be in time," he said when they went to the
underground railway.
"Oh, I think so," said Rupert calmly, "it's just as well, we should not
be too early. I want Rodgers and his men to be on the spot."
"But what do you think will come of all this?" asked Tidman, nervously.
"I think we will find the papers."
"But if Tung-yu had them, he would not have written to me."
"He is playing some sort of game. I can't understand, and I have given
up theorising. Let us wait."
The Major grumbled a little, but finally agreed that Ainsleigh was
right. They soon arrived at Rotherhithe, and stepped out into the main
street. The night was fine, and there was a bright moon. "I like this
better than when I was here last," said Rupert, as the two went down to
Penter's Alley.
"It's a good thing there's a moon," said the Major casting a glance
upward, "if these Chinamen try to bolt, we can chase them."
"Do you expect Hwei to be there also?"
"I can't say," said Tidman, "but if Tung-yu is, I suspect Hwei won't be
far off. They work in couples as you know."
"And pull against each other like ill-matched dogs," said Rupert, "a
queer compact, this."