“Taki, we didn’t find your letter,” Phil assured him. “If it ever comes into my hands, or if I ever have knowledge as to where it is, I will tell you.” Takishima’s face had regained its composure. If the Americans had not the letter then it would soon be found. It undoubtedly was in the hands of one of his own countrymen and the secret service men would soon place it in Captain Inaba’s hands. Takishima pressed Phil’s hand as he rose to his feet. “I feel better now that I have unburdened myself,” he said earnestly. “You can be certain that Japan wishes above everything to avoid trouble. That does not mean that we will neglect our army and navy, for we see that preparedness for war is the surest road to peace. If there is any way in which I can aid you, consider I am always more than ready. Above everything it should be peculiarly our duty, yours and mine, to reëstablish the good opinion which was once held by each nation for the other.” Phil became aware during Takishima’s earnest talk that a Japanese policeman was awaiting attentively just behind him. The lad saw that he was endeavoring to attract the lieutenant’s attention; seeing at once that it was on a matter of importance he gently pushed Takishima toward the impatient guardian of the peace. Phil waited, silently wondering what manner of trouble was brewing, for he could see that Takishima’s face had become suddenly serious, while the policeman talked excitedly. “Just what I feared has happened, Perry,” Takishima exclaimed, making a gesture of finality, as much as to say, “that’s the end of all our good intentions.” “Get Monroe and meet me at the entrance to the street,” he added promptly. “If we are to be on time we must not lose a minute.” The policeman had saluted and hurried away, while Takishima, after standing for a moment, silently dejected, straightened up his broad little shoulders and half ran toward the house, followed as rapidly by the midshipman. “What on earth has happened?” was Phil’s unspoken question; in his mind he was revolving all the possibilities. CHAPTER VI BILL MARLEY’S FIST After leaving the midshipmen at the hotel, O’Neil led his friend Marley to a much frequented Japanese eating house, on the outskirts of Shibu Park, kept by an American. There he believed he would find some one who could tell him about the mysterious Robert Impey. The boatswain’s mate understood quite plainly that Phil would be able to find out all that was possible about the man from the people of his world and that he, Jack O’Neil, was to get what information there was in the keeping of those of the underworld. In other words, O’Neil guessed, and rightly, that Impey, in Phil’s belief at all events, was leading a dual life. O’Neil and Marley seated themselves at a small table from where they could observe those about them, for the dining-room was nearly filled with foreigners. Many waiters, both men and women, moved quietly about administering to the wants of their patrons.