"Perhaps you are right—things are usually balanced in some such way. We all have our enemies," he added. "I have read somewhere that the fewer the personal foes, the weaker the man. And since we must have them in order to prove our personality," with a laugh which sounded peculiarly unnatural, "why, we can consider ourselves fortunate if they but stand out where we can see them."
"Your businesslike enemy seldom fights in the open," commented Ashton-Kirk with the air of a man merely making talk. "Our American politicians could teach you that fact."
The physician nodded.
"The ambuscade is effective," he agreed. "I learned its use in the Russo-Japanese war."
"So!" The secret agent's brows went up. "You served in that war then? What regiment?"
"The 47th infantry, Siberians."
"It is peculiar how things come about," smiled Ashton-Kirk. "While waiting for Warwick I noticed that the house in your rear is occupied by Japanese. Rather close quarters for old opponents, is it not?"
"The Japanese," spoke Dr. Morse, "were the opponents of Russia."
"I see. You are on good terms with your neighbors, then?"
"No. They have been there almost as long as I have been here; but I have never spoken to one of them."