“It may clear the atmosphere,” the captain said. “I don’t like the aspect of it. Have you heard of the bulletin in front of the ‘Shimbunshi’ office? There were thousands of Japanese standing in front reading it when we drove past.” The lads nodded in assent. “That’s pretty quick work. The ambassador sent a cable this morning, and here we get action in the afternoon. If word went to Manila at the same time we may be getting our orders to sail at any moment. I’ve already cabled my failure to obtain an audience.” Captain Rodgers opened the door as he finished speaking. “Come in, sir. What can we do for you?” he exclaimed in surprise as a dapper Japanese naval lieutenant stood at the threshold. Phil’s heart was beating wildly. Here was Takishima’s representative. The relations between the two countries would now be further strained when this unfortunate duel was made public. “I desire to speak with Meester Perry and Meester Monroe,” the newcomer replied politely, bowing profusely. “There they are,” Captain Rodgers returned, smiling and motioning him to enter. “Good-bye. Keep out of trouble,” he added banteringly as he bowed and left them with the Japanese lieutenant, no thought of the seriousness of the call entering his mind. “I have come from Count Lieutenant Takishima with his card,” the newcomer said importantly and in carefully studied English. Sydney made a move to step forward, but Phil interrupted. “Tell him I am at his service. The weapons will be small swords, time as soon as possible. He may name the place,” he said quietly. The lieutenant stood with puzzled face for a second translating and digesting the words. “I will be here again, soon.” He spoke hesitatingly, not sure of his meaning. The lads bowed in response to his ceremonious farewell. CHAPTER XIV THE YACHT “SYLVIA” O’Neil and Marley sat dejectedly in the luxuriously upholstered chairs of the yacht’s cabin and gazed upon each other with a mixture of annoyance and humor. It was plain to their nautical eyes that the hatch above them which they had heard closed tightly and dogged, was the only means of exit. They were securely imprisoned. “Bill, it’s terrible to have such confiding natures,” O’Neil exclaimed glumly. “We walked into this with our eyes wide open. “Hello!” he added surprisedly, “they’ve stopped heaving in, and there goes the launch down again.” The sailormen’s faces were at the nearest air ports and it was soon plain enough to O’Neil what had taken place on deck as he saw the lowered launch shove off from the yacht’s side, and shoot swiftly shoreward. “There’s that villain Impey in her stern sheets. See him, Bill?” he cried out angrily. Marley’s unsophisticated face betrayed not a gleam of intelligence as to what this move might mean, so the boatswain’s mate turned from the air port, threw himself back in his chair and began to elucidate.