"I do not for a moment believe," Danjuro replied with emphasis, "that a single soul besides ourselves has the least suspicion. The man will have taken supreme care to cover his tracks. My inquiries could have suggested nothing to the people I interviewed. Mr. Brookfield thinks I required my information for quite another reason. Yes, Sir John, we have a task of immense difficulty and danger before us. You must recognize that to the full. My sincere belief is that it would be somewhat safer to venture into a cage of cobras than where we have to go. But"--he took out his watch--"it is five o'clock. Let us say that the game begins at this moment! Very well. We, and not the enemy, have scored the first point!" He suddenly glided from his chair with a single sinuous movement. As he stood up he was transformed. The bland modern look faded from his face. It grew terrible. The eyes narrowed to slits of light, the square jaw protruded, the grey lips were caught up in a tiger-grin, and the slim body seemed to swell out with iron muscle like a wrestler stripped in the arena. You have seen some of the real old Japanese colour-prints, pictures of the ancient Samurai or the frightful Akudogi shouting at you--yes? The flat, awful stolidity, the incarnate hate.... Then you have seen something of what I saw then. Wow! Millionaire Van Adams was well served! CHAPTER VII THE CURIOUS FIGHT IN THE RESTAURANT "It is a good deal to ask, Sir John," said Danjuro briskly, "but, for the moment, will you place yourself entirely in my hands?" "I am perfectly content to do so." "Then permit me to press the bell." He did so. "I left a black bag in the hall," Danjuro said politely when Thumbwood came in. "Would you please let me have it?" The bag was brought. Danjuro placed it on the table and opened it. "You are very well known, Sir John," he remarked. "Major Helzephron and his friends have either seen you at some time or other, or have certainly seen the numerous pictures of you that have appeared in the newspapers during the last few days. It is imperative that you change your appearance at once. I foresaw that and have brought materials." I am afraid I whistled with dismay. The idea didn't please me in the very least. "Is it really necessary?..." "Absolutely. But it will not inconvenience you. Will you go into your bedroom and clip off your moustache with scissors, afterwards shaving the upper lip clean? You see, the man who leaves London to-night must not in the least resemble the Chief Commissioner of Air Police." I went and did it. I had to. When the operation was over I shouldn't have known myself, it made such a difference. I never knew that I had such a grim and forbidding mouth!