"Ah. That's what we've got to find out. There was a yacht in
Marport Harbour last night, which came at midday, and departed
in a hurry after midnight. Burgh says he believes Tung-yu went
away in her, after committing the murder."
"Even if he did," said Rupert, calmly, "that does not show how
the joss-stick came here, or why a Chinaman should be masquerading as
a monk, for that, I take it, is your meaning."
"It is. I believe there were other Chinamen on board that boat,"
was the detective's reply. "Perhaps this man Hwei came to the
Abbey."
"He might have come," said Ainsleigh, carelessly.
"Or Tung-yu," went on Rodgers.
"No," said the Major who had kept silent all this time, but had
observed everything, "it was not Tung-yu's day."
Rodgers turned on him. "What do you mean by that?"
The Major settled himself more comfortably in his chair. "I'll
tell you my adventure at Canton first," he said, "and then you
may understand. I can't get to the bottom of the matter myself,
for why Lo-Keong should have a private god of good luck is more
than I can tell."
The others looked at him, amazed at this queer speech. "What is
this private god?" asked the detective.
"I don't know, save that it is called Kwang-ho."
Rupert started. "That was the god mentioned in the
advertisement."
"Yes, so it was," replied the Major, quietly, "but just you wait
and hear my story. It may lead to something being discovered."
"One moment, Mr. Ainsleigh. Show me the advertisement."
Rupert rose, and going to the writing-desk took therefrom the
slip he had cut from the paper. Rodgers read it, quietly. "I
see. Here is mentioned the doom of the god, Kwang-ho."
"Lo-Keong's private god of good luck," said the Major.
"Are there private as well as public gods in China?"
Tidman looked perplexed. "I can't say. I know nothing. Wait and
hear what I can tell," he settled himself again and began to
speak rapidly. "I was in Canton seven years ago," said he, "I
had made my money here, and didn't intend to travel again. But
Miss Wharf persuaded me to go to China, to see if I could find
out why Markham Ainsleigh had been killed."
Rupert looked astonished. "Why? she hated my father."
"She loved him first and hated him later," said Tidman, quietly,
"a fine woman was poor Miss Wharf. I was in love with her--"
"I never knew that Tidman."
"I was though," said the Major, "and Miss Pewsey hated me for
being in love with her. I spoke badly of Miss Wharf to you
Ainsleigh because I was angered with her--"
"You called her a mass of granite."
"And so she is," said the Major angrily, "she promised to marry
me if I went to China and learned how your father came by his
death. I did go, but I came back without learning more, than
that he was murdered, so Miss Wharf refused to keep her promise.
I believe it was that Pewsey cat's fault."
"Well--well--go on," said Rodgers looking at his watch, "all this
business is very round-about. I want to get on with my work."