“Lost!” the baron exclaimed, a smile almost of triumph in his eyes. “How could the infallible Captain Inaba be guilty of such carelessness?” It was plain that Baron Kosuba and the naval strategist were not the best of friends. Doubtless the baron resented the younger man’s power. “But, baron,” Impey interrupted, “I have little time. I have come to you on a most important matter.” The Japanese nobleman inclined his head as a sign that he was ready to listen. “To-day, in but a few hours, the Emperor will receive the American captain,” Impey hastened to say. “This audience must not take place. It is rumored that he is a special emissary from the President of the United States. If this audience cannot be stopped your dreams of naval supremacy in the Pacific will be at an end.” “Why should this audience change the naval policy of my country?” Baron Kosuba exclaimed. “The entire naval board is pledged for a strong navy, and only yesterday agreed to advise buying China’s ships.” “If the United States should agree to give up her intention of obtaining these ships,” Impey said, “would not Japan hesitate before expending this large sum of money? The necessity would seem to be over. The consequence would be,” Impey declared, “that America would go on building war-ships, and the time would have passed when your country can secure the supremacy of the Pacific.” The baron’s face was wrinkled in deep thought. “How can I prevent the audience?” he asked. “That must rest with you,” Impey said with a shrug. “If it takes place America will triumph over you commercially.” Baron Kosuba was much affected by Impey’s words. He was not entirely patriotic. His country’s welfare was second only to the accumulation of his riches. If the American navy could be destroyed, her merchant marine must die and his own steamers increase and multiply, for there were no other competitors worthy of notice. And for this he would gladly force a war. “The United States fears now that she has gone too far,” Impey added after a short silence. “I have told you that the Washington government has agreed to buy the ships, and are now worried over Japan’s attitude. They fear that Japan will seize the Chinese ships. Their fleet in Manila is ready to move at a moment’s notice, and it is between the Japanese fleet and the Chinese squadron. Once the Washington government knows for certain that Japan has made her decision it will drop the mask of friendship and order its fleet to obtain the ships before they reach Singapore. This mission of the ‘Alaska,’ as I have told you before, is intended only as a blind to their real intentions, and if Japan is weak enough to believe in America’s honesty then our work will have been for nothing.” The baron’s face expressed his anxiety. “I shall go at once to the navy department,” he exclaimed, “and I trust I can stop this audience.”