“My name, sire, is Matsukata. I received it in Tokio at the commencement of the war, on being adopted into a Japanese family.
“If your majesty doubts my statement, I ask to be confronted with the Japanese Ambassador in Berlin.”
The Kaiser looked as if he would have liked to doubt it, but found himself unable to do so.
“Then on your own showing you are a Japanese spy,” he pronounced slowly. “As such I am entitled to have you shot.”
“Pardon me again, sire. In Petersburg I admit, that was my character. In Germany I have been your majesty’s agent, and have literally fulfilled your commands.”
“You are a very acute quibbler, I see,” was the retort, “but quibbles will not save you. You have stolen one of my ships to sink another with, and at the very least you deserve to be hanged as a pirate.”
“I demand to be tried,” I said boldly, knowing that this was the one step to which the Emperor, for his own sake, could not consent.
As I expected, he frowned uneasily.
“In this case I must exercise my right of refusing a civil trial, in the interest of the State. I will give you a court-martial with closed doors.”
“That would be illegal, sire.”