“Then, as matters stand,” Sydney exclaimed perplexedly, “Perry and I are believed to be responsible for the lost document, and we are supposed to have sent it to our ship by the two sailors. Your part in translating it and giving the contents to the ambassador is not known by the Japanese at all?” Impey nodded, as he answered quickly: “Captain Inaba knows that I held the letter last night, but he still thinks I am working for him. My men from the yacht were returning on board, for I was on the point of taking a trip on her. They met your two sailors and the Japanese steward on the train. As easily happens in a foreign country, they became acquainted, and your sailors went by invitation on board the yacht. There they displayed this lost document, which my men knew at once was important. When I went on board, ready to sail, they told me of it, and I found they had imprisoned your sailors, fearing they might get in trouble ashore if they were arrested with this paper on their persons. I at once hastened back to Tokyo to tell you of it and that was the reason I followed you and Lieutenant Takishima. I pretended to have business with him to allay suspicion and I was endeavoring to find an opportunity to confide in one of you when the unfortunate trouble with the Japanese lieutenant occurred.” “And you say that Sago, our Japanese steward, has betrayed us by going to Captain Inaba with his information?” Phil exclaimed. “I have not the slightest doubt of it.” Impey’s voice was quite positive. “Captain Inaba is not now in Tokyo; he has gone on a secret and sudden mission. Lieutenant Takishima, your friend and classmate, deliberately and openly insulted you. Would you want more proof than that?” “What is this secret mission?” both lads asked, their voices rising in excitement. “It must be over this same troublesome question--the Chinese ships,” Impey replied readily. “In my opinion he has gone to intercept them and thus prevent the United States from seizing them first.” “Then we can do nothing,” Phil exclaimed, deeply disappointed. “I don’t see how you can prevent it,” Impey answered seriously, inwardly smiling at the changed attitude of the two midshipmen. “Japan is under a military government and controls the actions of every person within the empire. It is safe to believe that the United States government will have no news of this move until all danger of interruption from the war-ships in Manila Bay is passed. Therefore there will be no instructions to your captain, and without them he would hardly dare attempt an act which might lead to war. He must stay in Yokohama harbor while Captain Inaba is hastening with a fast and doubtless powerful force to seize the Chinese ships.” “Suppose Japan does seize these ships,” Sydney said quietly. “Where is the harm to us?”