“We must talk over this again to-night,” Phil exclaimed as he saw they were keeping the rest waiting. “I’ll see you at our ambassador’s.”
Takishima nodded, and the next moment the entire party was in motion.
Phil was deep in silent meditation. He was thinking over a plan; one similar to that proposed by Impey, but with a vastly different purpose.
CHAPTER XVII
INDECISION
After seeing Helen Tillotson to the embassy, Phil and Sydney went direct to the hotel, for there was but scant time to dress and accompany Captain Rodgers to the state dinner, given that evening by the American ambassador to the visiting officers and their Japanese naval hosts.
Bursting with the important and exciting news, the two lads, heedless of Phil’s appearance in his blood-stained uniform, went straightway to Captain Rodgers’ room. There they found their commanding officer in the midst of his toilet, and they gave a gasp of surprise to see Sago, the steward, quietly aiding his master in his dressing.
“Come in,” was Captain Rodgers’ cheery answer to their inquiry through the half open door. “Why, what’s the matter?” he cried out in alarm after one glance at Phil’s blood-stained face.
Phil stood nonplussed before his captain. Sago turned pale under his parchment-like skin. Before the midshipman could speak, the steward attempted to excuse himself and withdraw, but Sydney barred his way and the two lads entered the room, closing the door behind them.
“What on earth has happened?” Captain Rodgers exclaimed sternly.
Phil saw his reflection in the glass, and the sight caused him to start in alarm. One side of his face was smeared with blood; his coat was open, and inside his white shirt there showed a red blot from the wound on his chest. He knew the hurts were not serious, but his appearance was ghastly.