In awed silence they regarded the serene beauty of the view. Beyond the black shadow of the trees, the water lay like sheets of dazzling silver. At the water’s edge, grass and flowers assumed new tints, shadows were purple, and far in the distance the Sacred Mountain seemed to float like an opalescent bubble in the ether. Overhead hung the great golden moon.
At last Dulcie spoke in a whisper, “Thank you, Bill!” And understanding, as always, Bill turned the car and returned to the great gate.
Dulcie was silent all the way to the hotel. When she stepped out, she turned impulsively to Bill.
“I’ll never forget this evening, Bill. I wish I could do something nice for you.” She unclasped her bag, but there was a queer dignity about Bill that forbade a tip. She snapped it shut. “You speak English so well; if you are ever in New York, find my father. I’d perfectly love to have you for my chauffeur.”
The young man’s eyes suddenly danced. “It is that I thank you, Miss Hammond. I’ll not forget,” he said.
Dulcie did not waken the following morning in time to see her father. Indeed she was just dressed when word was brought up that the car was waiting to take her to see the princess. It was late when she returned, and she ordered dinner in her own room, and went early to bed.
Mr. Hammond and David did not return to the Imperial Hotel until a very late hour. Stopping at the desk on the way to his room, Mr. Hammond found that the whole party had been the guests of the hotel for the entire time of their visit.
Early transportation had been arranged to take them to the port at Kasumigaura in the morning so, writing a word to Dulcie warning her to be on time, Mr. Hammond smoked a last cigar and tumbled into bed.
CHAPTER XIII
AN EAVESDROPPER
The Moonbeam was to take off from Kasumigaura at half-past seven on Sunday morning. Mr. Hammond had reached the airport at a very early hour but it was not until seven-fifteen that he saw in the distance a group of cars bringing the last laggard passengers, among them Dulcie and her elderly escorts, Doctors Trigg and Sims.