“Taki,” he continued, “I am sure that our people admire yours. We think your head may be just a little swollen over your prowess in war, and would like to see the swelling subside; but a war with you or any other country is not our desire now or at any other time. The United States fights only when its honor is involved, and not for conquest. If both countries are honest and do not attempt to trick each other by threatening to strike in order to force a favorable action on a measure or treaty unfavorable to the other, then there can be no war.” “And you will help me to prevent these misunderstandings?” Takishima asked. “To-day Captain Inaba lost a valuable paper,” Takishima added earnestly. “The messenger Oka, who was injured, was carrying it in his hand when he was struck by Mr. Impey’s machine. If that paper, translated, should fall into the hands of indiscreet persons, it would cause a vastly greater strain on the friendly relations between our countries.” Phil listened eagerly. Could it be possible that the paper the sailors had found was the one in question, and if so did Takishima know the character of it? Phil recalled quite clearly the venomous composition, calculated to arouse the entire Japanese nation against the American people in general and the cruiser “Alaska” in particular. If this was the letter and Takishima knew the contents then there was but one conjecture to make; that Taki’s protestations of honesty were hypocritical. But Phil would not condemn his classmate unheard. “Do you know the contents of this paper?” he asked breathlessly. “Yes. I helped prepare it; it was addressed to the general board, the Emperor’s advisers,” Takishima answered without hesitation. Phil breathed more freely. Then this paper was, as he had begun to suppose, a composition written by an English speaking person for the “Shimbunshi” and was in no way official. But what of the one Sydney had picked up and given to Impey’s companion? Might not that have been the lost official letter? “Go on,” the midshipman urged, for he knew that Takishima had not opened the conversation simply to tell of the loss of the paper. “Captain Inaba has just sent me word that he has discovered that one of the two sailors with you this afternoon picked up an envelope that in description resembled the lost document. They drove away with you, so it is natural to suppose that you know of the existence of this paper.” Takishima recalled Phil’s evident embarrassment when he had apologized for Captain Inaba’s abruptness. He now regarded the midshipman beseechingly. “You realize what it will mean to Captain Inaba if the document is not found or if its contents are divulged?” he asked. Phil shook his head. “It will mean disgrace, worse to us than death.” Takishima’s voice was dramatic. Phil thought quickly. He would not tell him of the letter to the “Shimbunshi.” Not at least until he had shown the letter to Captain Rodgers and obtained his advice.