"For two years only, and then, when I thought everything had blown over, I took it to Lo-Keong with what result you know. Now then, I have been plain with you Rupert. Surely you can see that I am your friend."
"Naturally," replied Forge, "he wanted to make bad blood between us, so that I should not tell you this story. How does he know--Tung-yu I mean--but what you might not go to China and complain about Lo-Keong keeping this money."
"I prefer to stop here with my wife," said Ainsleigh. "But _you_ can complain."
"And be hanged, or sliced, or shot, or fried. No thank you. Remember what kind of treatment Tidman met with at the hands of Hwei."
"Yes. He's the gentleman, and I hope he won't come your way. He is a beast. But by this time, he and Tung-yu are on their way back to their own land. And now Rupert, I'll say good-bye. As I am poor myself, lacking this ten thousand pounds, rightfully mine, which Lo-Keong detains, I can't help you. But I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll get Miss Pewsey to extend that mortgage."
"No, thank you all the same," said Ainsleigh, throwing back his head.
"I don't want to be indebted to your wife."
"She is not my wife _yet_," said Forge significantly.
"Yes--yes--quite so." Forge looked queerly at Rupert, as though about to say something. Then he changed his mind and walked away rapidly, without saying good-bye. Rupert returned to the house and told his wife all that had taken place. She was still doubtful of Forge's good intentions.
"A decent man would not marry that wicked little woman."
"Well," said Rupert doubtfully, "from the way he spoke and looked, I think Miss Pewsey marries him and not Forge, Miss Pewsey."
Mrs. Ainsleigh looked up quickly. "Has she got any hold over him?"
"The same as she had over my aunt. Rupert, that little woman looks frail, but she is strong, and has a will like iron. In spite of her looks, Aunt Sophia was wax in Miss Pewsey's hands. She exercised a kind of hypnotic power over Aunt Sophia, and that was how the will came to be made in her favour."
"In that case, why not try and upset the will."
"On a pretext of undue influence. It could be done certainly, but I have no facts to go upon. But it seems to me, from what you say, that Miss Pewsey has hypnotised Forge."