THE CHASE
Rupert stared at the wounded woman amazed. How came Miss Pewsey into
this den? He was so astonished, that he forgot to call for assistance.
Miss Pewsey gave a moan and opened her eyes. At once she recognised
Ainsleigh, for the light from the tasselled lantern overhead, fell full
on his amazed face.
"So you are safe," said Miss Pewsey with difficulty, "didn't Tung-yu
kill you."
"I have just arrived," said Rupert, "your nephew has gone out followed
by Tung-yu."
"I hope he'll catch him," muttered Miss Pewsey, "Tung-yu stabbed me.
Clarence snatched the papers and ran away leaving me here to die."
"How did you get the papers?" asked Rupert startled.
"I got them from Clarence--he asked me to come up here, and--oh," she
fell back insensible. Rupert thought she was dead and forgetting where
he was, cried loudly for assistance. He heard footsteps approaching and
Lo-Keong in sober attired entered. The stately Chinaman was roused out
of his usual self. He appeared disturbed and his face was distorted.
"Rodgers and his men are chasing Tung-yu," said Lo-Keong grasping
Rupert's arm, "go after them. Tung-yu has the papers."
"But Miss Pewsey."
Lo-Keong started back. "That woman," he cried, as startled as Rupert had
been, "pooh, let her die. She deserves her fate. She has been the cause
of the trouble. Go--go, Mr. Ainsleigh--go after Tung-yu."
"But Miss Pewsey!" repeated Rupert, seeing the woman open her eyes, and
recognising that life yet remained.
"I'll see to her. I'll get a doctor." Lo-Keong struck the gong near the
door. "But get me those papers. All my life depends upon them.
Remember--one hundred thousand pounds--go--go. It may be too late. Don't
allow Tung-yu to escape."
Rupert was quite bewildered as the Chinaman pushed him out of the door.
Then, recognising that he could do nothing to help Miss Pewsey, and that
Lo-Keong, for his own sake would do all he could to keep her alive, so
that he might learn how the packet came into her possession, Rupert ran
out of the house, and found the street filled with screaming Chinamen
and chattering Europeans. Some policemen were coming down the alley from
the main thoroughfare, and everyone appeared to be alarmed. The ragged
mob rushed into various doors, at the sight of the officers, but the
Chinamen still continued to cackle and scream. Suddenly Rupert heard a
revolver shot, and wondered if the Major had got into trouble.
Remembering that Burgh, with Tung-yu in pursuit, had gone down the alley
towards the water, he raced in the same direction, and at once, two
policemen, seeing him go, followed. There was no time to undeceive them,
so Rupert ran on, eager to come up with Burgh. He had the papers,
according to Miss Pewsey, and in spite of Lo-Keong's statement,
Ainsleigh suspected that Miss Pewsey was right. Else Tung-yu would not
be in pursuit of the buccaneer. As Rupert tore down the moonlit alley,
he heard the high clear voice of the Mandarin calling on the police to
stop. Then the tumult recommenced.
It mattered little to Ainsleigh. As he raced blindly on, he felt a
thrill of joy in his veins. It seemed to him that he had never lived
before, and that this man-hunt was the climax of life. At the end of the
Alley he came on a dilapidated wharf, which ran out into the turbid
water, and saw a stout figure dancing on this. At once he hurried down
to find Major Tidman, who recognised him at once.
"There was a boat waiting," gasped the Major seizing Rupert's arm.
"Burgh jumped into it and pushed off. Tung-yu came after, and as the
boat was already in mid-stream he plunged into the water."
"Where is Hwei?"
"Rodgers and his men are after him. I fired a shot, and I believe, I hit
Tung-yu, as he was swimming. Who has the papers?"
"Burgh. Keep a look out for him. I'll run along the bank," and before
the Major could expostulate, Ainsleigh dashed up the wharf and ran along
the bank of the river.
He did this because his quick eye had seen a black head bobbing in the
water below the wharf. The swimmer was evidently making for the near
shore. Rupert did not know if it was Tung-yu or Hwei, but hurried at top
speed along the bank, in the hope of catching the man when he came
ashore. He sped along a kind of narrow way, for here the old houses of
Rotherhithe came down, almost to the water's edge. There were lights in
some of the windows, but for the most part, these were in darkness. To
Rupert's left, loomed the house, and on his right was the river bank,
shelving down to the glittering water. A few piles ran out into the
stream, and as the river was low, there were acres of evil-smelling mud.
The man was making for the bank and battling hard against the stream,
which was sweeping him down. Rupert shouted, and seeing him on the bank,
the swimmer seemed to stop, apparently dreading the reception he would
get.
Finally he resumed his stroke, and made for a wharf, some distance down.
Ainsleigh ran for this, but was stopped by a wooden fence. He managed to
climb over, and raced on to the wharf; but the swimmer was nowhere to be
seen.
Suddenly, Rupert caught sight of a figure crawling up the bank a little
distance below, and again ran up the wharf to the pathway. The man who
had landed caught sight of him, and leaping on to the hard path, ran
along the river bank, but in a swaying manner, as though his powers of
endurance were exhausted. Considering how hard he had battled with the
current, probably the man's strength had given out and Rupert, feeling
fresh and fit, thought he would have no difficulty in catching up. But
the man ran hard, and then dropped out of sight below the bank.
Apparently he had taken to the river again. Rupert raced down so
quickly, as to overshoot the mark, where the man had slipped down. While
looking round, he caught sight of him again. He ran up the bank and
dodged into a narrow side street. Rupert was after him in a moment. The
man had vanished round a corner--so Ainsleigh thought--but when Rupert
came after, he saw the street in the moonlight was perfectly empty, and
turned back. The fugitive had tricked him, by dodging into a dark
corner, and was again on the bank. He leaped on the wharf, and scrambled
down the piles to a boat which swung at the end of a long rope. While he
hauled this in painfully, and pantingly, Rupert leaped on him. The man
looked up with an oath, and closed with his pursuer. It was Burgh.
"The papers--the papers," gasped Rupert, "you give them up."
"I'll kill you first," said Burgh setting his teeth, and, exhausted as
he was, he struggled with preternatural strength. The two men swung and
swayed on the edge of the wharf, till Burgh tripped up his opponent and
both fell into the water. Rupert still held his grip, and felt the body
of Burgh grow heavy. He rose to the surface, dragging at the buccaneer,
and, as the two had fallen into shallow water, Rupert staggered on to
the evil-smelling mud. He was obliged to let go Burgh, who, apparently,
had been playing possum, for he rose to his feet and made a feeble
attempt to climb the bank. Seeing this, Rupert, who was almost exhausted
himself with the long pursuit and the cold douche, struck out, and
Burgh, with a cry of rage fell flat into the mud. The next moment Rupert
was kneeling on his chest. "The papers, you scoundrel," he said between
his teeth.
"Haven't got them. Tung-yu----"
"You lie. Give me those papers, or I'll tear your clothes off to find
them."
Burgh tried to utter a taunting laugh, but the effort was too much for
his strength. He stopped suddenly, and with a sob closed his eyes. The
body became inert, and as Rupert could see no wound, he concluded that
the buccaneer had fainted. At once he removed his knee, and began his
search. He went deliberately through the pockets of the insensible man,
and finally came across a packet bound in red brocade. It was in Burgh's
breast, next to the skin. Rupert, with this in his hand, rose with a
gasp of relief. He had the papers after all, and now, could hope to get
the money from the Mandarin. He slipped the important packet into his
pocket, and then producing a flask of brandy, he forced a few drops
between the clenched teeth of his antagonist. He did not wish the man to
die, and moreover, he was desirous of questioning him. In a few moments
Burgh opened his eyes. "You," he said, as soon as he recovered his
scattered senses, and he made an effort to rise.
"No you don't," said Rupert pushing him back, "you'll try and reach for
your revolver."
"Go slow," muttered Burgh, lying on his back in the mud. "I give in,
Ainsleigh. You've won."
"I've got the papers, if that's what you mean. They shall be given to
Lo-Keong."
"And you'll get the five thousand."
"I'll get one hundred thousand," said Rupert, keeping a watchful eye on
his late opponent.
"Huh," said Burgh with a groan, "what luck. And all I have got, is a
ducking. Let me up and give me some more brandy. Remember, I saved your
life from Forge, Ainsleigh."
"Quite so, and you tried to kill me just now," said Rupert dryly. "I
think we are quits. However, here's the brandy, and you can sit up. No
treachery mind, or I'll shoot you," and Rupert pulled out his Derringer.
The buccaneer gave a grunt and sat up with an effort. "I'm not up to a
row," he gasped. "There's no fight left in me. Great Scott, to think I
was so near success. I'll be poor for the rest of my life, I guess."
"You'll be hanged for the murder of Miss Wharf, you mean."
Burgh took a deep draught of the brandy, which put new life into his
veins. He actually grinned when he took the flask from his lips. "I
reckon that's not my end," said he. "I never killed the old girl. No
sir--not such a flat."
"Then who did kill her?"
"Find out," was the ungracious response.
"See here, Burgh," said Rupert, swinging himself on to a pile of the
wharf. "I mean to get to the bottom of this business, once and for all.
The papers shall be given to the Marquis and then, I hope, we shall hear
the last of this fan business. But I must know who killed--"
"There--there," said Burgh with a shrug, and after another drink, "I
cave in: you've got the bulge on me. But I guess, if you want to keep
those papers, you'd best clear out, Tung-yu will be along soon looking
for them. I leaped into a boat and pushed out, but that Chinese devil
swam after, and when I got into trouble with the oars, he climbed on
board with a long knife. I jumped over-board and made for the bank,
where you raced me down. But I guess Tung-yu will bring that craft of
his ashore, and he's hunting for me like a dog as he is."
"Rodgers, and Hwei, and Lo-Keong, and a lot of policemen are hunting for
Tung-yu," said Rupert coolly, "so you need give yourself no further
trouble. Tell me why you killed Miss Wharf?"
"I didn't, confound you," growled Burgh.
"Then you know who did?"
"Yes--it was Forge."
"That's a lie. Forge wrote to my wife, and denied that you gave him the
tie."
"Then Tidman killed the old girl."
"No. He was with me on the beach. Come now, you shan't get off in this
way. Tell me who is guilty?"
"If I do, will you let me go?"
"I make no bargains. Out with it."
Burgh looked black, but being tired out and at the mercy of Rupert's
revolver, he growled sulkily, "It was Aunt Lavinia."
"Miss Pewsey--that frail little woman--impossible."
"Frail," echoed the buccaneer with scorn, "she's as tough as hickory and
as wicked a little devil as ever breathed. Why, she learned about the
fan from Forge when he was delirious, and gave away the show to Lo-Keong
in China--"
"I know that. And she wished Olivia to have the fan, that she might be
killed."
"That's so, you bet. But old Wharf got it, and so, was killed."
"But not by Tung-yu, or Hwei."
"No." Burgh took a final drink, and having emptied the flask, flung it
into the river. Then he took out a cigarette, which was dry enough to
light. When smoking, he began to laugh. "Well this is a rum show," said
he. "I guess you've got all the fun. I'm sold proper."
"Tell me your story," said Rupert imperatively, "I want to get back to
Penter's Alley to see your aunt."
"Oh, I guess she's a goner by this time," said Burgh easily, "Tung-yu
knifed her."
"You mean Hwei. I found him wiping the knife."
"No. Tung-yu stuck her, and dropped the knife. Aunty was just passing
the packet to Hwei, when Tung-yu stabbed her. I reckon he intended to
grab the packet, but I was too sharp for him, and caught it away from
his hand. Then I raced out and he after me. Hwei stayed behind to clean
the knife, I reckon."
"No, he followed you two almost immediately."
"Then both Chinamen will be here soon. You'd best cut."
"Not till I learn the truth."
"I've told you the truth," snapped Burgh, in a weary voice. "My old aunt
strangled Miss Wharf. Yes. Aunty told me of the tie, and asked me to get
it for her. I didn't know what she wanted to do with it, so I did. I
took it out of your pocket when Dalham was out of the room. Then I gave
it to aunty. She told Miss Wharf that Tung-yu wanted to see her on the
steps, after eleven. Miss Wharf went there and then aunty followed and
sat down beside her on the steps. I guess she kept her in talk and then
slipped the tie round her old throat and pulled with all her might. And
she's strong, I can tell you," added Clarence confidentially. "She
nearly broke my arm one day twisting it. Miss Wharf hadn't time to call
out, and was a deader in two minutes, for aunty froze on to her like
death."
"Death indeed," murmured Rupert with a shudder.
"Well then aunty bucked up round by the front of the hotel with the fan
in her pocket and left the tie round the neck of the old girl, so that
_you_ might hang. All went well, but the next day I went to aunty and
asked for the fan. She was very sick, as she intended to sell it that
day to Tung-yu. But Tung-yu had cut along with Hwei in the yacht, both
thinking they might be accused of the murder. They thought that old
Tidman did the biznai," grinned Burgh, "and I let them think so, having
my own game to play with aunty."
"Well," said Ainsleigh shortly, "and what did you do?"
"I told aunty I'd split if I didn't get the fan, so she passed it along
to me. Then I learned about the secret from Tung-yu--the waving in the
smoke you know. I found out the kind of smoke from Forge--"
"And repaid him by a lying accusation."
"That's so," said Burgh coolly, "there ain't no flies on me. But let's
heave ahead. It's cold sitting here."
"Go on then," said Ainsleigh sharply.
"Well I learned about the picture, and guessed about the abbey. The
picture was plain enough. I came that day you found me, to see the
place."
"And stole the packet then?"
"No, I waited till night and rigged myself up as the Abbot. I knew it
would make anyone sick who saw a monk about at that hour."
"Not me," said Ainsleigh, "if I had caught you--"
"Well you very nearly did," confessed Burgh candidly, "I came at night
and climbed all four trees before I nipped the box. Then I prized it
open and climbed down leaving the box, so that Lo-Keong might get sold
when he came to look. Just as I got down, that old housekeeper of yours
screeched, and cut. I was startled, and dropped the fan. Not wishing to
leave that behind, I began to look for it. Then you and the butler
turned up and I lighted out sharp."
"What happened next?"
"Well I wanted the money, but not knowing the days of Hwei and Tung-yu,
thought I might get stabbed, instead of the money. So I took the packet
to Aunty, and asked her to go up, telling her Tung-yu would give her the
money. She fell into the trap."
"But she knew that Hwei--"
"It wasn't Hwei's day," said Burgh, "at least it turned out so, though I
didn't know it at the time, and so sent on Aunty to get the cash. I
intended to pull the dollars out of her when she did get them, or leave
her to die if Hwei knifed her."
"You blackguard."
"Go slow," said Burgh coolly, "aunty was no friend to you. I say, do you
know why aunty wanted me to marry Olivia. It was because I'm married
already and if--"
He got no further. Rupert knocked him backwards into the mud. Burgh
leaped to his feet, and suddenly cried, "Look behind." Rupert did so
very foolishly, and Burgh flung himself forward. But all the same Burgh
was right to warn Ainsleigh. A man was staggering along the wharf. He
was in Chinese dress.
"Knife him, Tung-yu," cried Burgh, struggling with Rupert, "I'll hold
him. He's got the papers."
The Chinaman gave a screech and hurled himself on the pair. Rupert
wrenched himself away from Burgh and struck out at Tung-yu. At the same
moment he heard another cry, and Hwei came leaping down the wharf.
Before Tung-yu could turn, his enemy was on him, and as Rupert was again
closing in death grips with Burgh, he had no time to see what was taking
place. He could hear the Chinamen snarling like angry cats on the wharf,
and was himself fighting in the mud with Burgh for his life. Luckily
Rupert got his hand free and it was the one which held the revolver. He
fired at random--three shots.
There was a shout in the distance: but at that moment, the buccaneer
seized him by the throat and threw him down. Rupert with a strangled cry
felt himself being forced beneath the water, and thought the end had
come. He could hear the struggle between Hwei and Tung-yu going on
furiously, and hear also very faintly the deep laughter of his opponent.
Then he lost consciousness. Everything became dark, and Rupert's last
thought was that all his pains had been in vain. He would die, and
Olivia would be a widow.