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Miss Qian nodded. "A great deal considering I have been in the place only twenty-four hours. It's a good thing I'm out of an engagement, Billy, or I shouldn't have time to leave London or to look after that man Hay. I am a good sister." "Well, you are. But there's money in the business also. If I can get that thousand pounds, you'll have your share."
"Nor do I. He's such an eel, he may wriggle out of our clutches. But can't you give a party and invite Lord George and Hay, and then get them to play cards. Should Hay cheat, denounce him to George Sandal." "What good would that do?" asked Miss Qian, with widely open eyes. "It will make Hay confess about the brooch to save himself from public shame.
"Marked, by Jove!" he cried, but with a stronger oath; "here's a pin-prick." "You are mistaken," began Hay, quite pale. "No," said Tempest, coolly, "we're not. Miss Qian told us you cheated, and we laid a trap for you. You've been trying this double card and marked card dodge several times this very evening." "And he's tried it lots of times before," said Aurora, quickly.
If I arrest Jessop, Matilda Junk will tell her ladies, who will speak to Hay, and then he may slip away. As the brooch evidence is so particular, and, as I believe he can give it, if forced, you can see the importance of losing no time." Miss Qian nodded and went away to pack. She wanted money and knew Billy would give her a goodly share of the reward.
The four were playing a game which involved the gaining and losing of much money, and they had been engaged for about an hour. Miss Stably having eaten a good dinner and commenced a new shawl was half dosing in the corner, and paying absolutely no attention to the players. "It's a good thing we're hanging on our own hooks in this game," said Miss Qian, who smoked a dainty cigarette.
She began her career along with Hurd as a private detective, but when her brother joined the official service, Miss Hurd thought she would better her position by appearing on the stage, and, therefore, took the rather queer name of Aurora Qian.
Krill was the real wife, he saw that Aaron Norman, as he called himself, had committed bigamy, and that Sylvia " "Yes, you needn't say it," said Miss Qian, angrily, "she's worth a dozen of that girl you are going to marry. But why did you pretend to meet Mrs. Krill and her daughter for the first time at Pash's?" "To blind Beecot.
"What do you mean by that?" asked Grexon, fiercely. "Oh, he doesn't mean anything," said Miss Qian, sweetly, and putting her cloak round her. "Mr. Beecot, just take me to my cab." "I'll take you to your carriage," said Hay, offering an arm to Mrs. Krill, which she accepted graciously. Lord George followed, grumbling, with the ever-smiling Maud.
This was Lord George Sandal, the pigeon Hay was plucking, and although he had charming manners and an assumption of worldly wisdom, he was evidently one of those who had come into the world saddled and bridled for other folk's riding. A third lady was also present, who called herself Aurora Qian, and Hay informed his friend in a whisper that she was an actress.
"Miss Qian," he cried in a tone of agony, "give me another chance." Aurora, playing her own game, of which the two young men were ignorant, appeared to repent. She beckoned to Miss Stably. "Take Mr. Hay into the dining-room," she said, "and I'll see what I can do. But you try and bolt, Hay, and the news will be all over the West End to-morrow."
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