Dulcie looked at him suspiciously. She knew a little about jade. But the dark face was bland and impassive. After all, whatever Hata had done, he had done to give happiness to his two old friends. Dulcie rallied a diplomacy equal to his own. “They are perfect,” she said. “And I love you both for them. I shall keep them all my life, and remember how I came by them, and what they mean.” “We have a most old saying in Japan, Miss Hammond,” said Prince Hata. “‘The jewel is never so lovely as the wearer.’ I mourn that I shall not see you again today except in my capacity as official. There is a garden party to stroll into this afternoon, and tonight enters a great dinner. Afterwards an entertainment for the officers and crew. You might enjoy to go. It is permissible. The Geisha girls will dance. “Tomorrow, Miss Hammond, I do trust that you will graciously allow my mother to receive you. She is unfortunately unable to leave her home. If you would so benevolently come to her?” “I would love to,” cried Dulcie. “Thank you. Then I will so arrange, and send you word.” He made his cordial, graceful farewells and departed. “Well, Prince Hata’s mother must be a princess,” mused Dulcie. “She is the Emperor’s aunt,” said Doctor Trigg, absently. “Aunt!” cried Dulcie. “Aunt! Then Prince Hata is the Emperor’s cousin!” “Quite likely,” said Doctor Trigg. “I say, Sims, those manuscripts Hata showed us—” “Oh, what have I let myself in for!” cried Dulcie, interrupting. “I don’t know how to behave before emperors’ aunts.” “Pshaw!” laughed Mr. Hammond. “Don’t forget that you yourself are the heir of the ages.” “Certainly!” said Doctor Trigg. “Besides, she is a very agreeable old lady. A trifle ceremonious, but very agreeable. We dropped in this morning.” “To see the Princess?” demanded Dulcie. “Yes,” said Doctor Trigg. “Unofficially, of course, unofficially. The old lady does not give audiences to men as a rule, but we were her son’s teachers, you see, and she seemed to have an idea that she wanted to thank us personally for the attention we had given him during his course at Princeton. Hata took us to the palace to see some manuscripts. She heard we were there, so she sent word for us to drop in and see her.” “Simple, like that,” murmured Dulcie. “They just dropped in!” Mr. Hammond laughed. “By the way, Dulcie, did you know that Mr. Hamilton has left us? He had to get back to Paris by the quickest route. He’s flying to Baku, then to Moscow, then straight over. He has to attend a big directors’ meeting of their Paris house.” “What a shame!” cried Dulcie. “Goodness, daddy, I’m glad you aren’t a big business man. It’s no wonder they get ‘tired’, is it?” she added wickedly. CHAPTER XII CUSTOMS AND COSTUMES