"It might be dangerous. There might have been poison on that knife, Rupert. You know what the Chinese are."
"No, Olivia, I certainly don't. All this business of the fan and the god Kwang-ho is most ridiculous."
"Tell me all about it," said Olivia, when she had placed a tray, with tea and toast, before him.
"I shall do so at once, as I want your advice," and Rupert related all that had occurred from the time of his meeting with Clarence Burgh in the train on the previous night. Olivia listened in silence. "Well," asked Rupert, drinking his tea, "what do you think?"
"I think Mr. Burgh is a scoundrel."
"Anyone can see that!"
"And worthy of his aunt."
"Perhaps. She's a bad one that Miss Pewsey, but she may not know what a rascal she has for a relative. And at all events, I can't let her marry Forge. Do you believe he is guilty?"
"He might be," said Olivia cautiously, "but I would much rather believe that Burgh gave the tie to his aunt and that she strangled aunt Sophia."
Rupert laughed. "What a vindictive person you are dearest," said he. "Miss Pewsey is bad but not so bad as that."