The Count carefully replaced the Jewel in its box. "You are not psychic."
"I never wish to hear that word again," said Basil fervently.
"I don't think you will," replied Akira dryly, and slipped the box into his pocket. "Well, now I shall say good-bye, and from Japan I shall send you my wedding-present."
"Be kind to Mara," said Patricia imploringly.
"Be sure of that. She is a sacred thing to me. Was she not the Miko of Kitzuki, and did not the Earth-Spirit bring her to my arms?" He changed his reverent tone for a matter-of-fact one. "Good-bye, Dane!"
Akira held out his hand, then suddenly drew it back. "There is one thing I should like to add, so that you may guess that I am not in favour of killing innocent people. I gave my entertainment so as to lure you, Dane, and you, Miss Carrol, together with all your servants, on board the yacht out of harm's way. Therefore Mr. Colpster and the assassin were left to their fate alone in the house."
"But Pentreddle?" asked Basil, shuddering.
Akira looked towards the winding road up which Harry was slowly climbing. "I had to send him to get the Jewel," he remarked, "but I warned him of the danger and he escaped. Now that is all I have to tell," he added quickly, seeing that Patricia was about to ask another question. "Good-bye, both of you, once more."
They shook hands gravely all round, then Akira jumped into his launch and it steamed away in a great hurry, as usual. Basil and Patricia set their faces landward and picked their way over the loose rocks. In a short time, and walking above the grave of uncle and cousin, they gained the clear space of the winding road. Here they came face to face with Mrs. Lee, who was toiling down all alone.
"Ah!" she said, with a chuckle. "So it's you, Mr. Basil." The old creature nodded. "I told him he would be crushed as flat as a pancake if he allowed It to come into the house. He did, like a silly fool, and now he is buried under all that rubbish." She pointed her staff disdainfully downwards.