“Hashi has the modest honor of never making of his promises a failure. If I give you my word and you give me the required opportunity, you may rest in dependence on it that I shall accomplish the matter.” “That sounds first-rate, but you don’t know the man I am going to pit you against. He has a reputation.” Hashi smiled confidently. “It makes not a difference who he may be.” “You’ll find him a hard nut to crack.” “Do you mind mentioning his honorable name?” “His name is Frank Merriwell.” The Jap continued to smile. “Somewhere in your interesting country I have heard of him. Is it not that he is a what you call athlete?” “That’s the fellow. He claims to be the champion amateur athlete of this country. He is conceited and overbearing. He knows a little something of everything. He thinks he knows all there is to know about jujutsu.” Hashi’s smile had a pitying flavor: “It is a thing of remarkability that those who the least know about the art are ones that think nothing more there is left for them to attain.” “That’s him!” “Against him you must have a great enmity, honorable sir.” “I hate him! It would give me joy if you were to break his neck!” “A thing that might be done with great ease of accomplishment.” “Will you? What’s your price?” Still smiling, Hashi shook his head. “Respected sir, it is not money enough you can make advancement to bring me to that.” “I’ll give you anything you ask! I’ll raise the money somehow!” Still the Jap shook his head. “A broken limb will make amendment, but a broken neck remains fatally so.” “That’s what would suit me! Then he would be out of my way forever.” “And should it become known of our talk here, the money could unto me no good bring, for a severe punishment of death would come unto us both. No, respected sir, no, no. A broken limb—yes; a broken neck—no!” “Then it is settled, you are to break his leg to-night. What time are you through with your exhibition at the theatre?” “I come at the advancement of the program, and it is before nine that I am quite ended.” “That’s all right. Leave the theatre as soon as possible. I’ll be waiting for you with a carriage, and we’ll drive directly to the University Club, where we shall find Merriwell.” “How, respected sir, will it then be arranged?” “I’ll find a way. Leave it to me. I know a number of college fellows who will be there. I’ll tip them off to be on hand. It should be easy to bring about a meeting between you and Merriwell. He tried jujutsu on me. If necessary, I’ll insult him and say you can show him up.” “It will be better, I would humbly suggest, to draw him into the contest without his suspicions arousing by the process of the insult. Let it seem that it shall be a friendly affair from the commencement. That is what it should not be difficult.” “That’s right if you’ll do your part.” “You may depend on it that I am reliable if you pay me the advancement.”