“I know not. I have lost everything. My family is suffering, and dare not show themselves to the Japanese soldiers.”
“That is certainly ill luck.”
“You are, I see by your dress, a Japanese officer,” went on the clerk with a little more confidence. “Cannot you assist me? I shall be exceedingly grateful.”
“Perhaps I can—it depends upon how you’ve been acting. Have you taken any part in the fighting, or have you been a spy?”
“No! no! On my word of honor! I am not a fighting man!”
“Tell me, have you seen or heard anything of Ivan Snokoff since we parted at Port Arthur?”
“Have I seen him? He is here. Did you not know that?”
“Here!” cried Gilbert. “Now?”
“He was here during the fighting, and before. I have not seen him for three days.”
“Show me where he was stopping.”