Phil’s face brightened at this note of optimism in his friend’s voice. “I feel sure that Impey is behind all this trouble,” he said thoughtfully. “How on earth he found the lost document I can’t imagine, and I have my doubts whether it contained the information given by him to the ambassador. Unfortunately, that we shall never know. If we could trace this other letter to his door, I believe the whole insidious influence that is breeding ill feeling between the two nations would come to a stop.” “The letter was picked up by me and handed to Impey’s friend. He claimed it and I hurriedly handed it over,” Sydney exclaimed. “If I had only refused and held on to it all this trouble could not have happened. Maybe to go with Takishima and talk to Impey we might force him to confess to his part in the plot and then expose him.” “I am afraid he’s too clever to be trapped that way,” Phil returned smilingly. “The ambassador has cautioned secrecy, so we can’t divulge what he has told us. If I claimed before him that I had found the letter in his room he would either deny it or show great joy in finding that he had not lost it, professing that he was on the point of returning it when the assault occurred. He may even now have told the Japanese officials that he had recovered the letter for them only to lose it. It’s a mighty embarrassing position to be in, Syd,” Phil ended sourly. “What will the United States do if Japan seizes the Chinese ships?” Sydney asked. Phil shook his head. “I don’t see why we should do anything. It would be a question between Japan and China.” “Then it wouldn’t mean war?” Sydney asked. “There are some annoying diplomatic questions yet unsettled between Japan and the United States, and a thing of that sort might be used to cause a diplomatic rupture. Let us hope that it is untrue, and if true, that the two countries will be able to adjust their differences amicably.” But the youngster felt down in his heart that if what Impey had said was true there was serious danger of an open rupture between the two friendly nations. CHAPTER XII THE CONSPIRATORS Robert Impey, much elated over his success in throwing the entire blame upon the shoulders of the American midshipmen, left the two Japanese naval officers in Captain Inaba’s office and sought out his friend and co-conspirator, Baron Kosuba. No word was spoken beyond those of welcome until after the servants had withdrawn, then when they were alone together Baron Kosuba said: “After our conversation of yesterday I went at once to see the prime minister and the Minister of Marine, and they assured me that Japan would buy the Chinese ships at once. I have guaranteed the payment.” “I know already,” Impey returned hurriedly. “The letter advising the purchase was lost. Captain Inaba believes the Americans have discovered his secret.”