Vincent Carroll laughed softly.
“He has a fluent way of expressing himself,” he observed in an aside to Cutler Priest. “Seems to take great satisfaction in articulating big words.”
“It is the way of his countrymen,” nodded Priest. “In Japan they have no personal pronouns, but apparently Hashi has picked them up in this country, for he uses them.”
“The professor is a particular friend of mine,” Fillmore went on, “and I am interested in seeing him maintain his reputation. He is looking for some of these great American athletes who think they can defeat him.”
“It’s coming, Merry!” muttered Bart softly.
Frank was calm and unconcerned. Apparently Fillmore had not observed him since entering the club; but Frank knew the fellow had a keen pair of eyes. This seeming oversight on Fillmore’s part was enough to convince Merry beyond doubt that the visit was premeditated in full expectation of encountering him there.
He knew Fillmore had listened behind the portières at John Loder’s and heard of the engagement to meet certain Yale grads at the club.
“Did you read in the papers about the American wrestler who repeatedly defeated a Japanese jujutsu expert in Omaha and other Western cities?” inquired Henry Harriman.
Fillmore laughed.
“Of course we read it, all of us,” he answered. “I showed the reports to Professor Hashi. He says the Jap was no expert.”