Captain Ichi, pausing a moment, pulled a flag of his island empire from his pocket and pressed it to his lips. Just outside the door of the wireless room he met the lieutenant, repeating to him what had taken place in the "station." The lieutenant slapped his hands ecstatically.
"We will call on these Americans who are taking the submarine to Mare Island," said the lieutenant. "It is a rare chance to accomplish our work, Captain Ichi!"
"There could not be a better chance! If possible, the submarine must be destroyed in these southern waters. That, you know, will give us an opportunity to change the color of our vessel and continue our peaceful cruising toward Europe! Our government will never know that we were the ones who destroyed this menace to our beloved Nippon!"
"If they knew it at home——"
The lieutenant did not finish, but winced and shrugged his shoulders.
"We should be heavily punished. Even if the United States found it out, their government would demand that we be hung."
"Harikari before that!"
"Harikari? Yes—perhaps that may be best, anyway. We have but one life to give for Nippon."
"And we have vowed to give it! Captain, may I be one of those who visit the Grampus?"