The two sailors took rikishas from the station in Tokyo, and drove hurriedly to the hotel. They hoped to find the midshipmen there, for O’Neil, true to his allegiance, was intent upon giving them his important news first. Then there was time, if the lads saw fit, to tell Captain Rodgers. In another fifteen minutes they were knocking at the door of the American Embassy, where they had found the lads had gone. The man-of-war’s men encountered two very white and frightened women after they had been led into the hallway by the Japanese man servant. The sailors, hat in hand, stood much embarrassed before Helen Tillotson and her Japanese girl friend. It was quite evident to O’Neil that both had been crying, and even in his embarrassment the boatswain’s mate realized that something near a tragedy had happened. “Are you Mr. O’Neil, from the ‘Alaska’?” Helen cried eagerly, grasping the startled man’s sleeve. “Oh, I am so glad you’ve come; something terrible will happen if we don’t prevent it at once!” “Not Mister O’Neil,” the boatswain’s mate corrected, while Marley suppressed a grin at the title, despite the apparent tragedy believed to be imminent, “just plain Jack O’Neil, at your service, miss.” “Then you will help us,” Helen begged. “Bill and I’ll follow you into the forbidden palace of the Mikado, miss, if you say the word.” O’Neil drew himself up proudly, while a broad Irish smile illumined his honest face. “What’s the trouble, may I ask, miss?” “I hardly know,” the young girl replied tearfully. “Mr. Perry and Lieutenant Takishima were such good friends, and now his sister O Hama-san has come to tell me they are to fight a duel this evening. Don’t you see,” she exclaimed, in an agony of fear, “that we must not let this terrible thing happen?” “Fight a duel!” O’Neil gasped, while Marley twirled his hat in silent excitement. “When I seen them last they were as good friends as two fleas on a dog’s tail; excuse the expression, miss.” “Yes, but since then something came between them,” Helen explained breathlessly. “It was over some secret letter. It wasn’t Mr. Perry’s fault. He told me about it this morning. He found this letter and would have given it to the right owners, but it was taken from him, and now Lieutenant Takishima believes that his former friend has acted dishonestly.” “Bless your heart, miss,” O’Neil exclaimed, eagerly, “Bill and I can explain that. We found the paper. Mr. Perry lost it before he could give it to the lieutenant. We’ve turned it over to the Japanese naval officers in Yokohama.” With a glad cry, Helen Tillotson embraced her Japanese friend. “You see, Hama,” she said tearfully, “I knew that we should find a way. Now your brother will listen to reason.” “Where’s this duel coming off?” O’Neil asked, becoming restive during what he considered was useless sentimentality.