I. THE ADVERTISEMENT II. DR. FORGE III. MISS WHARF AT HOME IV. RUPERT'S SECRET V. CONCERNING THE FAN VI. BURGH'S STORY VII. THE WARNING VIII. THE BEGINNING OF THE BALL XIV. THE END OF THE BALL X. A MYSTERIOUS CASE XI. THE CANTON ADVENTURE XII. AT THE INQUEST XIII. THE WILL XIV. A MYSTERIOUS LETTER XV. THE ROTHERHITHE DEN XVI. THE FAN MYSTERY XVII. A DISAPPEARANCE XVIII. A SURPRISE XIX. A VISITOR XX. THE MANDARIN EXPLAINS XXI. WHO IS GUILTY? XXII. AFTER EVENTS XXIII. THE CHASE XXIV. THE FULFILLED PROPHECY THE MANDARIN'S FAN THE MANDARIN'S FAN CHAPTER I The Advertisement One July evening in the first year of the present century, two gentlemen were seated on the terrace of the mansion, known as Royabay. A small rose-wood table was placed between the deep arm-chairs, and thereon appeared wine, coffee, and a box of cigars. The young host smoked a briar and sipped coffee, but his guest, very wisely, devoted himself to superlative port and a fragrant cigar. Major Tidman was a battered old soldier of fortune, who appreciated good quarters and made the most of civilised luxuries, when other people paid for them. He had done full justice to a dinner admirably cooked and served, while Ainsleigh, the master of the feast had merely trifled with his food. Now, the wary Tidman gave himself up to the perfect enjoyment of wine, cigar and the quiet evening, while his host restlessly changed his position a dozen times in ten minutes and gloomed misanthropically at the beautiful surroundings. And these were very beautiful. From the moss-grown terrace shallow steps descended to smooth lawns and rainbow-hued flower-beds, and solemn pines girdled the open space, wherein the house was set. And under the radiance of a saffron coloured sky, stood the house, grey with centuries of wind and weather, bleaching sun and drenching rains. With its Tudor battlements, casements, diamond-paned and low oriel windows, half obliterated escutcheons; its drapery of green ivy, and heavy iron-clamped doors, it looked venerable, picturesque and peaceful. Tennyson sang in the Palace of Art of just such a quiet "English home the haunt of ancient peace." On the left, the circle of trees receded to reveal the majestic ruins of an abbey, which had supplied the stones used to construct the mansion. Built by the weak but pious Henry III., the Norman-French name Boyabbaye (King's Abbey) still designated the house of the courtier who had obtained the monastery from another Henry, less pious, and more prone to destroy than to build. The country folk had corrupted the name to Royabay, and its significance was almost lost. But the owner of this fair domain knew its meaning, and loved the ancient place, which had been in the Ainsleigh family for over three hundred years. And he loved it the more, as there was a possibility of its passing away from him altogether.