“Yes. And so he came here and offered it to you? Belle, my dear, we cannot accept such—”
“Oh, do you think it could have been Mr. Katura who sent it to me?” the young wife asked.
“Sent it to you? Don’t you know who gave it to you?” Ensign Darrin asked, in amazement. “Didn’t he hand it to you just now?”
“Oh, no, indeed!” Belle exclaimed. “Listen, Dave.”
Thereupon Mrs. Darrin related all she knew of the matter. She and Dave spent some minutes together in hunting for the strange note, which could not be found.
“No use in looking any further,” Darrin declared, at last. “Besides Katura is waiting for me below. I will take this medallion back to him. Certainly he can clear up the matter for me.”
Full of uprightness of purpose Dave Darrin started below, to face a storm that was certain to be past his comprehension.
[CHAPTER XVIII—MR. KATURA DOES SOME ASTOUNDING]
“Katura, my dear fellow, I’m immensely sorry to have kept you waiting,” cried Dave genially, as he entered the parlor. His nod took in Toruma and Hata as well.
“The waiting has not been tiresome,” replied Katura coldly, rising to his feet, as did his comrades in arms.