"Yes, and he tried to drown you. Hwei and Tung-yu were struggling
together, as Tung-yu wanted to get the packet from you. But Hwei stabbed
him with the same knife he had used to kill Miss Pewsey, and in his
death grip, Tung-yu drew Hwei into the water. Both were dead and still
locked in each other's embrace when they were drawn out. Lo-Keong said
that Tung-yu deserved his doom for having trifled with Kwang-ho, but he
mourns for Hwei."
"It seems to be much of a muchness," said Rupert, "and Burgh?"
"Rodgers threw himself on him, and he was secured. You were taken away,
and I was telegraphed for. But while Burgh was being taken to prison he
contrived to escape, and got away in the darkness."
"But Olivia, it was a bright, moonlight night."
"At first it was, but the moon set and darkness came on. The police have
been searching for Burgh, but he has not been found, and it is supposed
he has got away from England."
"I hope so," said Rupert with a shudder. "I never wish to set eyes on
him again. So that's the end of it all."
"Not quite. Lo-Keong is in the library with Mr. Asher. Oh, Rupert, you
must prepare yourself for the best of news."
The young man rose, and was led downstairs by his wife, "I am quite
ready to hear the good news," he said, as they descended. "I have had
far too much bad news in my life."
As Olivia said, the lawyer was waiting in the library, and stood before
the fire with an expectant face. Lo-Keong, in even more gorgeous robes
than he had worn on the occasion of his first visit, was seated in his
stately manner near the window. He rose as the master of Royabay
entered, and came forward with a serious smile.
"My young friend," said the Mandarin. "I have to thank you for saving my
life. The papers which would have ruined me, and which would have cost
me my head, have been burnt. Hwei is dead, and Tung-yu; so no one but
yourself knows what those papers meant. My august mistress will never
have proof that I was engaged in the Boxer rebellion, and Hop Sing will
be degraded for ever."
"And you, Marquis?"
"I shall receive the yellow jacket," said the Mandarin, proudly, "now I
remain but a short time here. I go to London in an hour, and this
evening I leave for the Continent on my way to China. We shall never
meet again Mr. Ainsleigh, unless you come to Pekin."
"No," said Olivia, instinctively protecting Rupert, "we have had enough
of China, Marquis. Sit down, Rupert."
Ainsleigh took a chair, and the Marquis smiled blandly. "Well, well,
well," he said, "it is natural you should feel rather nervous of my
countrymen, though I assure you, if you do visit me, that you will be
quite safe and highly honoured."
"No, thank you Marquis," said Rupert wearily, for he was beginning to
feel fatigued.
"I see you are tired," said Lo-Keong, in his stately manner, "so I will
merely say I hope to send you some presents from my own country, and
then Mr. Asher can speak," he bowed to the solicitor.