“Whee!” says I, half under my breath, “but we caught a big fish.”
Motu laughed. “But remember,” says he, “to you I am still Motu—always I shall be but Motu, your true friend, forever at your service.”
Mark Tidd was squinting his little eyes and wrinkling his stub of a nose.
“I d-don’t want to act like I was curious,” says he, “but what in t-t-tunket is a royal p-prince doin’ alone in the mountains here? From what I’ve read of princes it ain’t exactly a habit with them to be ten t-thousand miles from home alone, in borrowed pants.”
“You shall know, Mark Tidd, for it is your right. The story reflects small credit on a part of my countrymen. You know, Mark, that of late there has been talk of war between your land and mine. It has made the heart of my uncle heavy with sorrow, for he knows much of your United States and his friendship is truly yours. But misunderstandings have arisen. Our people have been inflamed against you by men who are no better than traitors. Your people have been made to feel bitter against us. Even those in power at Washington and in Tokio have been led astray. But his Majesty, my uncle, was not led astray, and he knew your President was wise and just. So, saying nothing to any, he sent me, his relative, as a special and personal envoy to your President with words and assurances of peace. A message he gave to my keeping which would assure your President that a lasting peace depended on you alone.” He stopped and thought a moment, then went on: “But my mission was discovered by traitors who desire war because it will be of profit to them. They want to see battle-ships built and cannon manufactured—and men slain. Well they knew the state of the public mind, how a spark might cause an explosion that even the Emperor could not withstand. With me they planned to make that spark.
“In my land,” says Motu, “the people are kind to me; they have given me their affection. It is good. So these traitors said to themselves, if harm comes to Prince Motu in the United States there will be war. The people will lay the blame on the United States, and peace will be destroyed. So they made their plot.
“I came with but two attendants. None knew my name. As a simple Japanese boy I traveled. I came across your country for days; then, one night as I stood on a little station platform while the train stood still, The Man with his followers seized me quietly and carried me away. What happened thereafter I do not know, except what has happened to me. They brought me to these places and here I escaped a week before you came. I traveled miles on foot and found refuge in this old hotel. Then you came. That is the story. So, you see, you have served not only Motu, your friend, but your land and my land.”
The count nodded gravely. “It has been kept secret in Japan—your disappearance—but I have been informed, and secretly I have made search for you. Your followers came to me, but could give no aid. Not until the letter of Mark Tidd came did I have hope; then with all speed I came here. As the representative of my country, young men, I wish to thank you for the service you have rendered her.”
“We didn’t do it on purpose,” says Mark. “It didn’t m-make any difference whether Motu was a prince or a day laborer, he was in a bad fix, and it looked like it was our d-d-duty to stick by him. He wouldn’t have thought much of the United States if we hadn’t—now, would he? We just did by him like we’d like to have Japanese boys do by us if we got in a scrape over there.”
“It is a sentiment reflecting credit on the teaching of your fathers and on the ideals of your country,” says the count.