The midshipmen were much agitated over the exciting news of the contemplated seizure of the Chinese ships by Japan given them by the ambassador. Where could Impey have obtained his information? “Can we depend upon the truth of this story?” Phil asked anxiously as the two lads left the embassy to return to their hotel. Sydney shook his head. “If what we’ve heard was in the secret letter then there’s no way to prove its truth,” he answered thoughtfully, “for now the letter is back in the hands of the Japanese.” “If that is what was in the letter, then the seal had been broken by Impey and the Japanese will believe that we are the guilty ones,” Phil exclaimed. “That will make them even more determined to seize the Chinese ships.” The midshipmen were more than ever suspicious of Impey’s honesty. What was his part in this international intrigue? What was Impey’s object? Why had he talked to them at the garden fête in the same strain as he had talked to the Japanese baron in the railroad train? “I’ve found out who the baron is, Syd,” Phil added. “His name is Kosuba, and he is president of the ‘Koko Kisen’ steamship line, the largest in Japan. They own over two hundred steamers. It’s quite natural that he should want a big navy.” “It’s very strange,” Sydney replied thoughtfully. “Impey persuades him that Japan must at once buy the Chinese squadron to prevent our getting it and goes to our ambassador the next day with the news that Japan has decided to buy or seize them.” “And all the time,” Phil returned angrily, “the United States is not giving a thought to the Chinese ships. No one can purchase ships without money, and Congress has not appropriated money for this purpose, and probably has no thought of so doing.” The entire affair puzzled the two midshipmen greatly. “I suppose the ambassador will send a cable to Washington giving Impey’s information,” Sydney said as they walked toward the hotel to dress themselves appropriately for the Japanese dinner to be given them by Takishima and his sister at their own house. “He believes implicitly in Impey,” Phil replied impatiently. “I had it in mind two or three times to break in and give him the benefit of my experience with that individual, but I saw it would be quite useless. The affair of last night, when I found him being assaulted by two secret service men for possession of the paper, is the one thing that I cannot explain,” he added. “That would convince the ambassador of his fidelity to us.” “Where can we find Captain Rodgers?” Sydney suddenly asked. “He must be told the entire story. This is the day he is to be received in audience by the Emperor.”