“And that the same ambitious ruler is now weaving his snares to entangle Great Britain, in short your own employer, the——”
“Marquis of Bedale,” I again slipped in.
Again the same polite but incredulous bow and smile from the Japanese statesman.
“Would you be willing to accept a retainer from us?”
I sat upright, frowning.
The somewhat haughty attitude of the Emperor of Japan still rankled within me.
“I will accept a retainer from his majesty the Mikado,” I announced stiffly. “From no one else.”
Mr. Katahashi looked thoughtful.
“I will see what can be done,” he murmured. “The second question——”