“I never allow personal friendships to influence me in the discharge of my duty.”
“It is because I believe that, that I am talking to you like this,” Mr. Katahashi responded quickly.
“Well!” he added after a short silence, “what do you say?”
“I must have the night to decide.”
The Japanese Privy Councillor rose to say good-by.
After he had gone I sat up late into the night considering how far I could serve my employer in England by entering into the projects of the secret service of Japan.
In the morning, I was still undecided, but on the whole it seemed to me that it would be better to act independently.
I was considering how to convey this decision to the Mikado’s minister, when he again presented himself before me.
His manner was deeply agitated. It was evident that he came to make a communication of the highest importance.