“We’ve unraveled the whole plot!” Phil exclaimed, not heeding his captain’s inquiry. “Mr. Impey has deliberately misrepresented everything to us. He has fooled the Japanese too, and they have sent Captain Inaba, or at least Impey says so, and Taki corroborates it, to intercept and take the Chinese war-ships.”
Captain Rodgers threw an anxious glance in Sago’s direction. The steward had withdrawn to a corner of the room and was standing with his back to the Americans.
“Impey told us that Sago went to the Minister of War or to some one there and told that O’Neil had the missing secret document,” Phil said quickly in answering his captain’s unspoken question as to the propriety of speaking before the steward. “We can’t blame him though, sir,” he added generously. “After all, his blood is Japanese, and we had no right to the letter.”
Sago’s face beamed with gratitude as he turned toward the Americans.
“Sago very loyal to America, captain,” the Japanese steward exclaimed earnestly, coming forward timidly. “Sago very much afraid when he see the letter. Captain Inaba my old friend. I tell him where is the letter. I very sorry to offend my captain.”
Captain Rodgers looked puzzled. He glanced hastily at his watch. “Go and get yourselves ready,” he ordered suddenly. “We’ve less than an hour. When I am dressed, I’ll come in and you can tell me the whole story. I can’t understand these fragmentary descriptions.”
The lads quietly obeyed, and once in their own room Sydney carefully washed and antiseptically dressed Phil’s scars of battle. The midshipmen were struggling into their evening uniform when the captain appeared, looking very imposing in his gold lace and medals.
The lads began at the beginning and gave him minutely all the important information which they had learned since their arrival in Tokyo, and also a short account of their differences with Lieutenant Takishima which had ended so happily. Captain Rodgers took Phil seriously to task for breaking the anti-dueling rule, but he promised no further action.
“What can be the aim of this fellow Impey?” Captain Rodgers said quietly after he had admonished the lads in his severe stern official voice. “Who will benefit by a war between us and Japan?”
Captain Rodgers sat silent, thinking deeply while the midshipmen, assisted by the grateful Sago, finished their toilet.