"About that famous fan?" asked Rupert smiling. Tung-yu started and looked quickly at Tidman, who was again pale. "I don't remember about the fan," said Tung-yu, "did our friend find it in Canton?" "No! No I never did," said Tidman hurriedly,--"that is Forge found the fan--" "And gave it to Miss Wharf. Quite so," replied Tung-yu blandly. "I see her to-morrow about the matter," then he bowed to Rupert and moved away slowly. "I thought you had a bad cold," said Rupert to Tidman, who was looking after the Chinaman with a scared expression. "Yes--yes--but that is better now," said the Major hurriedly, "so Miss Wharf is here, and has the fan?" "Yes, she offered to give it to me if I surrendered Olivia." "Refuse--refuse," cried Tidman hurriedly: he approached his lips to Ainsleigh's ears. "There is death in the air to-night." "Tidman," cried Ainsleigh starting away and staring. "Yes--yes--say nothing. I wish you hadn't mentioned about my having the fan. Tung-yu never knew--but it can't be helped. Ainsleigh, is there another Chinaman here to-night?" "I have seen none. Do you expect Hwei? If so we had better warn Miss Wharf. She has the fan and--" "No! No--say nothing. Don't touch the accursed thing." "How do you know it is accursed?" "I knew in Canton, and in a very unpleasant way. But I'll tell you my adventure to-morrow--yes I will--if nothing happens to-night." Rupert stared still harder. "What can happen to-night man alive?" "Nothing--nothing," said the Major hurriedly. "I'll get back to my room--you needn't say you have seen me. I--" "Just the man I want," cried a bold free voice, and Burgh's slim hand fell on the Major's shoulder. "Miss Pewsey asks for you." "For me. Any more trouble?" "I guess not. She wants to fuss round about your cold. Heaping coals of fire's the English of it." "Let her leave me alone," said the Major petulantly. "I'm quite well. I am going back to my room," and with a nod to Rupert, he marched out. Burgh looked after him with a smile and a shrug: then he turned to Rupert who was moving towards the door. "Can I speak with you?" he asked with a frown. "Not here Mr. Burgh," cried Ainsleigh, "this is not the place for a quarrel." "And why not," cried the other, advancing with clenched fists, "I--" "Keep your distance," said Ainsleigh sharply starting back on his guard, "the attendant is looking on," and he pointed to the man behind the counter who attended to the hats and cloaks. Burgh tossed him a shilling, "Go and get a drink," he ordered. "Stop where you are," commanded Rupert, "or I'll report you." But the man, who was a dissipated-looking waiter pretended not to hear this last remark, and disappeared from behind the counter. The two men were alone, and Burgh spoke first. "I guess I'm going to lay you out," said he, "on account of--" "Stop," said Rupert, "mention no names." "I'll mention what I like and Olivia--"