The Moonbeam hung low over the city, as though waiting to receive the homage due her. Then graciously she circled, and crossing the center of the city, sailed across to Yokohama, where she saluted the outgoing steamers which were awaiting her there.
Then she turned in the direction of Kasumigaura. Reaching the port, she made a wide circle, her attendant seaplanes following, then descended. The ground crew rushed to their places, and with perfect precision the Moonbeam was drawn down and secured.
The crowd, composed of many nationalities, became wildly excited. The noise continued while the passengers disembarked. Mr. Hammond and David were immediately surrounded by a group of bemedalled and gold-laced officials. Their luggage was put in cars which were to take them to Tokio, where rooms were reserved for all the passengers and officers at the Imperial Hotel. Dulcie clung close to Doctor Trigg, with Red Ryan as a bulwark on the other side, and Cram close in the rear. Soldiers and policemen tried to hold back the masses of people who seemed to gather in increasing numbers. Repeatedly the laughing, chattering mobs broke through the cordons, only to be pressed back.
A large automobile swept up to Dulcie and her escorts, and a Japanese officer motioned that they were to enter. When they were comfortably seated, and the door shut, the smiling Oriental bowed and the car rolled smoothly away in the direction of Tokio.
The great yellow moon came lazily out of the sea, and lanterns twinkled merrily as they sped along.
“Well, Lafayette, here we are!” said Dulcie, leaning back on the luxurious cushions. “This is certainly a dandy car. Red, I feel a grand good time coming on.”
“You betcha, Miss Hammond!”
“I don’t like these Japs,” said Wally, turning around on the front seat, where he sat beside the chauffeur. “They are two-faced, and undependable. Wouldn’t trust one an inch.”
“Keep still!” Dulcie cried imperiously. “That man may speak English. Anyway, I don’t believe one word of it.”
Wally subsided into sulky silence. The little man at the wheel did not flicker an eyelid. Dulcie decided that he had not understood.